St Brendan's of Belmullet claim Connacht glory in North Mayo battle

Connacht PPS Senior D Final

St Brendan’s 1-16

St Tiernan’s 1-13

In Bonniconlon

ON a cold and bleak afternoon in Bonniconlon, a memorable clash between two North Mayo schools took place to see who would be crowned provincial champions.

St Brendan’s of Belmullet started the game well as they had a strong wind behind them in the opening period. Fionn O’Donoghue who was outstanding for Brendan’s kicked ten points across the afternoon as he delivered a memorable performance for the Erris side.

St Tiernan’s of Crossmolina struggled to maintain possession in the first half and the Belmullet students roared into a big lead. After 22 minutes of play, Tadhg Quinn secured a goal for St Brendan’s when his long-range effort dipped into the net. 

The Crossmolina students registered scores through Tadhg Coyne and Tony Carey who pointed from place balls, but going in at the break, St Brendan’s were in control as they led 1-12 to 0-3. 

As the wind howled, Tiernan’s came back into the game when Dylan Lavelle kicked a superb two pointer early on. Lavelle tagged on another from outside the arc as did former Mayo minor Tony Carey. 

In the final ten minutes Tiernan’s saw the deficit reduced to just three when Tadhg Coyne found the net. However, in the closing stages, Brendan’s defended well and held on to clinch a famous victory despite a truly heroic effort from St Tiernan's in the second half. 

However, it was St Brendan’s day and the boys in blue claimed Connacht glory and celebrated accordingly.

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