O'Cinnseala brothers shine as Rice impress in all-Mayo schools clash
On the day, the O’Cinnseala brothers Fionn and Fiachra scored 0-15 between them
Connacht Post Primary Schools Senior A Football Championship
Rice College 2-18
St Muredach’s 1-17
In Ballina
On a beautiful morning in the home of St Muredach’s College in Ballina, the first round of the Connacht championship began. Muredach’s, last season's Connacht finalists suffered a four-point defeat to a Rice College side who hit a real purple patch in the second half despite trailing by four at the break.
Early on, there wasn't much between the sides as the Ballina based students enjoyed most of the ball while James Fox and Sean Foody both kicked two pointers in the opening half for Muredach’s.
The Rice College forward line looked dangerous throughout the hour as the O’Cinnseala brothers Fionn and Fiachra looked a threat along with the powerful Ben Holmes who was situated close to goal.
Going in at the break, the hosts managed by Knockmore’s David McHale and All-Ireland winner James Carr led 0-9 to Rice College’s 0-5.
The second half was a different story as the Westport students impressed right from the off. Fionn O’Cinnseala who ended up kicking 0-11 fired over an early two pointer while Foody hit back with a long-range two for the home-side.
This year’s Mayo U-20 player Conor Jordan was prominent from midfield for Muredach’s while his score put four between the sides with 42 minutes played. Within the next ten minutes, the game was flipped completely as the side managed by Shane Conway and Martin Gill took control.
Fionn O’Cinnseala added another two pointer while the aerial threat of Ben Holmes worked wonders for Rice. Holmes hit to the net twice in a matter of minutes while both goals were created by midfielder Aodhan Gavin who was busy throughout as the sun shone high in North Mayo.
Entering the final few minutes, Rice College were ten points up but Muredach’s rallied again with Conor Jordan adding a trio of scores along with an Alexander Smyth goal. However, the day belonged to the Westport based students who got their championship campaign off to a flyer along the banks of the River Moy.
A full match report will be carried in Tuesday’s edition of The Mayo News.