Mountmellick CS 0-11 Ard Scoil Chiarain Clara 1-9
School’s North Leinster Senior ‘D’ Football Championship Semi Final
There was heartbreak for Mountmellick Community School in the North Leinster Senior ‘D’ football championship in the Centre of Excellence last night.
The Laois school were edged out by Ard Scoil Chiarain Clara, who had All-Ireland winner and father of Shane Lowry, Brendan, among their management, by the narrowest of margins.
Just a point separated the teams at full time and it was the Offaly men who headed back across the border with the trophy.
A fast start was ultimately the key for Clara as the were four points up with ten minutes on the clock.
Oran Gorman had pointed for Mountmellick but that came after scores from Marcus Dalton and James Cullen – and just before the game’s only goal via Barry Egan.
To Mountmellick’s credit, they responded brilliantly to that set back and actually came back to lead at half time.
Rory Lalor, Jim Scully, Darragh Keegan and Adam Hunt all joined Gorman on the scoreboard as they led 0-8 to 1-4 at half time.
However, Mountmellick now had to play against the breeze Marcus Dalton and goal scorer Egan pointed Clara ahead when play resumed.
The Laois side again responded as Oran Gorman and the impressive Darcy Thomas pushed them in front again as we entered the final quarter.
Another Jim Scully point had the margin out to two with 13 minutes remaining but Mountmellick would not score again.
Instead, Clara drew level via Egan and Dalton before the latter won it just before injury time.
SCORERS – Mountmellick CS: Oran Gorman 0-4 (0-3 frees), Rory Lalor and Jim Scully (0-1 free) 0-2 each, Darragh Keegan, Adam Hunt and Darcy Thomas 0-1 each
Clara: Barry Egan 1-2, Marcus Dalton 0-4 (0-2 frees), James Cullen and Lim Flynn 0-1 each
CLARA: Tommy Bracken; Kevin Minnock, Cristian McKeon, Ryan Carroll; Ronan Tuohey, Darragh McKeon, Conor Taylor; Conor Doyle, Ciaran McKeon; James Cullen, Marcus Dalton, Myles Handy; Liam Flynn, Barry Egan, Greg Byrne; Sub Scott Griffith for James Cullen (53)
MOUNTMELLICK CS: Roy Lawlor (Emo); Ryan Conran (Mountmellick), Stephen Moore (Kilcavan), Robbie McEvoy (Mountmellick); Darcy Thomas (Ballinamere), Rory Grehan (Na Fianna), Tom O’Connell (Mountmellick); Aaron Tarpey (Kilcavan), Niall Lalor (Kilcavan); Rory Lalor (Kilcavan), Adam Hunt (Kilcavan), Jack Weston (Kilcavan); Oran Gorman (Rosenallis), Darragh Keegan (Emo), Jim Scully (Mountmellick); Sub Ben O’Keefe (Kilcavan) for Jack Weston (37)
Referee: Des Cooney (St Joseph’s)
SEE ALSO – Secondary school hurling final abandoned in Portlaoise after player taken to hospital
