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23 Oct 2025
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23 Oct 2025
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COLOR CLASH Both teams wore similar jerseys in Friday's final. Manorhamilton had to turn theirs inside out during the first half. Pic: David Farrell
THERE were scenes of Mayo devastation and Leitrim elation in Enniscrone on Friday night as Gortnor Abbey were edged out by St Clare's from Manorhamilton in an exciting Connacht senior schools C decider. The final scoreline of 2-9 to 1-10, was tough on the Crossmolina students who will look back on the match with a number of questions and frustrations.
The primary question the North Mayo boys will ask is why was impressive full-forward Mark Sheerin sent off after 20 minutes. His straight red card was a baffling decision and left many in the ground scratching their heads. Their primary frustration will revolve around their failure to kick a score after the 41st minute. Gortnor Abbey had numerous chances to claw back the two-point deficit, but kicked some poor wides.
Manorhamilton started smartly with full-forward Jack Kelly to the fore. The Leitrim boys led 1-4 to 0-2 after 16 minutes and when Sheerin was red-carded Gortnor Abbey seemed to be in real trouble. That situation changed dramatically when Kobe McDonald crashed home a stunning Crossmolina goal just seconds later as corner-forward Luke Maloney also caught the eye.
However, a well-taken goal from Manorhamilton's Jack Attard left the Leitrim boys 2-6 to 1-6 clear at the break.
Kelly extended the St Clare's lead early in the new half, but Gortnor Abbey drew a line in the sand and took charge. McDonald, Josh Moyles, Diarmuid Barrett and Maloney all pointed as the boys in green and gold powered forward. Sean Flynn Heffernan, Esmonde Maughan, Ronan Walsh and their team-mates caught the eye as the Crossmolina students drew level after 41 minutes.
Amazingly, they wouldn't score again for the rest of the evening. Time and time again they created chances but time and time again they failed to take them.
At the other end, Kelly knocked over two placed balls to win the game, but the lack of scores in the run-in had to be seen to be believed.
The scenes of wild delight at the end signified how precious Manorhamilton's win was. They became the first Leitrim team to win a Connacht Colleges title since Ballinamore were successful in 2014.
A full match report will be carried in Tuesday's Mayo News.
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