St Gerald’s College, Castlebar booked their place in this years Connacht Colleges Senior A Football Championship semi-final with a hard fought four point win over their north Mayo opponents in the Connacht GAA Centre of Excellence on Thursday lunch-time.
The Castlebar school backboned by last years Mayo minor midfield pairing of Gary Walsh and Matthew Ruane both from Breaffy were made to work hard for their win in a contest that saw both sides miss penalties.
Jarlath O’Malley was in top form for St Gerald’s bagging himself six points over the hour and he was ably supported by Stephen McDermott.
The sides were level ten minutes in at two points each and were locked together again at the break at 0-6 to 0-6. The Ballina boys will have been cursing their luck not to go in at half-time, when Cathal Noone saw his spot kick saved by Cian Mitchell in the Gerald’s goal.
Gerald’s were awarded their own penalty in the second half and Jarlath O’Malley saw his effort hit the post after he put the St Muredach’s goalkeeper the wrong way.
While O’Malley kicked six points he was joined on the scoreboard by the likes of McDermott, Ruane, Callum Coyne and Ruane. The Ballina scoring was lead by John Egan who kicked three points, with Jordan Flynn and Cathal Noone both chipping in with two points each with Colm Igoe and Cathal Naylor both also putting in good showings for the Ballina school.
