Four goal Holmes shines as Rice send Connacht champions out

Connacht PPS Senior A Championship

Rice College Westport 6-6

St Colman's Claremorris 2-15

In Westport

On a cool day in Westport, a Ben Holmes inspired Rice College dumped the reigning Connacht champions out after a thrilling contest that saw eight goals scored across the hour.

It was Holmes who got the first goal of the afternoon after just five minutes while seven minutes later, the speedy Dan Lambert had Rice’s second green flag of the contest. 

The Claremorris based students came into the clash and enjoyed a purple patch as Evan Heneghan, Dara Flanagan and Jack Comer all kicked scores. Going in at the break, it was level with Rice College having 2-3 on the board while the visitors had 0-9. 

After just two minutes in the fresh half, Holmes had his second goal as his physicality showed prominently once again. Midway through the second period, Jack Burke registered Colman’s first goal with an emphatic finish to the net as the winner goes through clash spiced up even further.

Nip and tuck throughout, Holmes struck to the net as he secured his hat trick but Jack Comer replied to the finish to the net as the large crowd in attendance enjoyed a classic that saw plenty of talented footballers on show.

Entering the closing stages, Holmes remarkably secured Rice’s fifth goal which put the Westport side into a one point lead. Aaron O’Dea levelled the game up before Holmes leaped up into the clouds and as he claimed possession, he laid it off for Dara Dawson who blasted to the net. 

In a remarkable game, Rice College now progress into the last four while it’s the end of the season for last season's All Ireland finalists.

A full match report will be carried in Tuesday’s edition of The Mayo News.

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