St Muredach's book place in Connacht Final after tough battle

Connacht PPS Senior A Championship Semi Final

St Muredach’s 1-12

Colaiste Bhaile Chlair 0-13

In Bekan

On a baltic cold afternoon in Bekan, it was the St Muredach’s students who came out on top in a close affair. Under the guidance of Galway senior players Sean Mulkerrin and Paul Conroy, Claregalway started well as both sides adapted to difficult wind conditions.

The only goal of the afternoon came after six minutes when the speedy Corey Lavery McCay unleashed a low precise finish to the bottom left corner. Former Galway Minor Sean O’Callaghan impressed across the hour for the Claregalway boys as he was a constant livewire in attack. 

Going in at the break, the Galway students led narrowly 0-7 to Muredach’s 1-3.

As the wind howled, and the misty rain fell from the clouds, the on field battle in Bekan heated up as a place in the Connacht Final was up for grabs. The hard-working Nathan Roddy kicked a superb two pointer from a placed ball effort as tensions began to rise. 

Nip and tuck right throughout, the boys in navy and maroon had scoring chances but credit must go to the mean Muredach’s defence who battled courageously with the excellent Cahair Tighe leading the men from North Mayo. 

With 60 minutes played, it looked like extra time was on the horizon but the boys in red had other ideas as Oisin Gavin kicked an inspirational point. In the closing stages the hard-working Conor Jordan made a crucial dispossession and as he strode forward, he received the ball back and hit a ball that split the sticks resulting in sheer delight from the vocal and passionate Muredach’s contingent.

They will now face the winner St Gerald's who overcame St Jarlath's in narrow fashion.

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