Ballyhaunis CS 3-12
Rice College Westport 3-08

in Connacht Centre 3G Pitch

Ballyhaunis CS claimed the Mayo GAA Colleges Junior Hurling Championship for the first time with a four point win over Rice College of Westport in the splendid surface of the Connacht Centre 3G Astropark in Bekan.

Playing with the aid of the strong wind in the opening half, Ballyhaunis were fast out of the blocks as early points from Eoin Delaney and Dylan Niland were added to with a major from Ballyhaunis corner forward Jack Coyne. Rice College finally found their rythym with three points in succession from Caylem Connolly (2) and Paul Lambert. Ballyhaunis finished out the opening half strongest and further points from PJ Burke and Cormac Phillips put the East Mayo school in a commanding position. Phillips again caused untold damage to the Westport defence when his long range clearance from the Ballyhaunis rearguard found its way direct to the Westport net. This left the half time score at: Ballyhaunis CS 2-10 Rice College 0-4.

The aid of the breeze in the second half gave the covies hope, and they started well with chief scorers Paul Lambert and Caylem Connolly again providing white flag efforts. With Ballyhaunis CS now on the back foot, they had to defend stoutly with Michael Freyne and Sean Herr both being called upon to clear their lines. Ballyhaunis midfielders Gary Higgins and Callum Gardiner both recorded points for Ballyhaunis against the run of play while Dylan Nilands goal for the Black & Reds put the result of the game beyond doubt.

However, Rice College never gave up and in the closing stages of the game were rewarded with a fine goal from play from excelent midfielder Paul Lambert. This was followed shortly by another Westport goal from a 21' free by Kaylem Connolly. As the Ballyhaunis rearguard began to panic, a third Westport goal from full-forward Stephen Walsh deep into stoppage time brought just four points between the sides. However, time ran out on the gallant Westport comeback when referee Michael Carroll called time on proceedings.

Apart from the scorers, best performances from Rice College were recorded by full-back Michal Gallagher and Pat Lambert at wing-back, while up front Jack Carney and Keelin Gallagher showed good signs for the future. Ballyhuanis' extra physical strength pulled them through on the day with Cormac Phillips and Callum Gardiner shining throughout the contest.

After the game Christy Phillips - on behalf of the Mayo GAA Hurling Committee - presented the Mayo GAA Colleges Junior Hurling Shield to PJ Burke - captain of the sucessful Ballyhaunis CS side.

Ballyhaunis CS: Kevin Neenan; David Cunnane, Michael Freyne, Uneeb Nasar; Conor McEwan, Cormac Phillips (1-2), Sean Herr; Gary Higgins (0-1), Callum Gardiner (0-1); Dylan Ruane, PJ Burke (0-2), Tiernan Murphy; Eoin Delaney (0-3), Dylan Niland (1-1), Jack Coyne (1-2). Sub: Dylan Harrison.

Westport: Daniel Moran; Ben Doyle, Ml Gallagher, Kevin Grogan; Pat Lambert, Sean McGuire, Kevin Grogan; Paul Lambert (1-3), Alan McHale (0-1); James Treacy, Kaylem Connolly (1-4), Keelin Gallagher; Jack Carney, Stephen Walsh (1-0), Patrick OMalley. Subs: Stephen Loftus & Ciaran Calvey.

Ref: Ml Carroll (Roscommon) Tweet

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