Ballyhaunis CS        1-8

Mercy Woodford    0-9
in Kenny Park Athenry.

Ballyhaunis Community School made history by claiming their first ever Connacht Post Primary Hurling title with this two point win over Mercy College Woodford in miserable conditions at Kenny Park in Athenry. A second half goal from Ballyhaunis substitute Dylan Niland was the difference between the sides in the end - sending the Barry Burke Cup to Mayo for the first time since St Colmans (Claremorris) claimed the crown thirty years ago.

A clash of colours before the throw-in saw Ballyhaunis Community School don the Green and Red Mayo strip, but that didn't hinder their progress as they faced into a strengthening breeze for the opening half hour. Woodford were fast to settle as Mark Hooban and Daniel Geraghty got their opening brace of points. Sean Kenny opened the Ballyhaunis account in the 14th minute to settle the East Mayo charges before Geraghty again for Mercy College pointed from play. As Ballyhaunis weathered the Woodford onslaught, Sean Kenny again found the range with two points in succession - from a free and from play to put the minimum between the sides. However the Galway side finished the half strongest with three injury time pointed frees in succession from Mark Hooban giving the Mercy College a 0-6 to 0-3 half-time lead.

Ballyhaunis used the elements to great effect at the start of the second period and within ten minutes had restored parity with three exquisitely pointed frees from Sean Kenny. Points from play followed shortly from Niall Robinson and Brian Morley to put Ballyhaunis in a commanding position with just ten minutes remaining. The Woodford side - backboned by the Tommy Larkins Hurling Club - stormed back with a point of their own from wing back Eoghan Nevin. Then in the 52nd minute of the game - the decisive moment of the tie came as Dylan Niland - who had been introduced as a substitute at the interval - smashed the ball to the roof of the Woodford net. Strong approach play from Brian Morley and Cormac Phillips found the menacing Niland in space, and he duly applied the finish to put four points between the sides.

The black and reds never threw in the towel however and the 'Tommys'  came trundling forward with points from Geraghty and Hooban again. However the elusive green flag eluded them as mammoth defending from PJ Burke, Mark Phillips, Adrian Boyle and John Cassidy for Ballyhaunis - along with deputy goalkeeper Ryan Kilbane - somehow contrived to keep a late Woodford attack from finishing up in the Ballyhaunis net.

After the game, the Barry Burke Cup was presented to Aiden Henry - captain of the successful Ballyhaunis side, while Sean Kenny received the Man of the Match Award for his contribution of six points to his sides winning scoreline.

Ballyhaunis: Ryan Kilbane; PJ Burke, Mark Phillips, John Cassidy; Ml Freyne, Callum Gardiner, Adrian Boyle; Aiden Henry, Niall Robinson (0-1); Cormac Phillips, Brian Morley (0-1), Shane Crinnegan; Eamon Phillips, Sean Kenny (0-6,5f), James Lyons. Subs: Dylan Niland (1-0), Conor Hunt.
Ref: Pat McGrath

Footnote: The task of a Mayo side taking part in the Connacht Colleges Hurling competition is a big one - let alone winning it. Massive credit has to go to Ballyhaunis Community School PE teacher Mr Raymond Woolley who took on this task at the outset and brought it to fruition. He brought on board external coaching expertise in Nicky Freyne (Tooreen HC) and Jonathon Griffin (Ballyhaunis GAA) while also involving overage student Davog Freyne in the backroom team. The management team as a unit gave these talented hurlers an environment to express themselves, and they duly took that opportunity with open arms.

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