St Gerald’s fall in All-Ireland semi-final to classy Omagh CBS

Masita All-Ireland Post Primary Schools Hogan Cup Semi-final

Omagh CBS 1-14 St Gerald’s DLS College 0-9

Oisín McGovern in Ballyshannon

A first All-Ireland final appearance since 1997 has eluded St Gerald’s who fell to an excellent Omagh CBS this afternoon.

The reigning All-Ireland champions were better in every department and held their opponents at arms’ length from the moment they pulled away towards the end of the first half.

The opening exchanges were less of a gun battle and more an arm wrestle, with the teams level twice in a low-scoring opening 20 minutes.

Two outrageous scores from the excellent Dara Neary were among St Gerald’s first-half highlights.

However, five wides came back to haunt them as a dynamic Omagh CBS punished every single transgression with a venomous counter attack.

Facing a defiant Mayo opposition, the reigning All-Ireland champions only put daylight between them after the 21st minute when they hit three points in as many minutes.

St Gerald’s were then walloped by a stunning goal from Paudi Dillon, who darted in from the right corner before crashing the ball into the roof of the net.

The Connacht champions nearly made amends when Ryan Gibbons walloped a shot straight off the crossbar late in the first half.

Charlie Donnelly replied immediately with a point that put Omagh CBS 1-7 to 0-3 up at the break.

St Gerald’s doubled their scoring tally in the second half but got nowhere near bridging the gap.

Lacking the same fluidity as their Ulster opponents, St Gerald’s struggled against a CBS Omagh side with powerful performances all over the field.

The Tyrone school now advance to their second All-Ireland consecutive All-Ireland ‘A’ final appearance.

There will be a full report plus reaction in Tuesday’s Mayo News.