Kerr points way as St Mary’s drive on
St Mary’s, Belfast……………………….. 1-12
St Raphael’s, Loughrea……………….. 1-5
By Daire Walsh
All-Ireland Post Primary SBHC semi-final
Conor Kerr’s nine point haul helped St Mary’s CBGS of Belfast advance to the All-Ireland Schools SBHC decider with victory over St Raphael’s College, Loughrea at Donaghmore/Ashbourne on Saturday.
Playing with the aid of a breeze, four points from the reliable Kerr, along with one each from Callum McVeigh and centre-back Domhnall Moran (’65’), moved Mary’s into a six point lead by the 17th minute, before late scores for the Tribesmen courtesy of Eoin Morrissey and Daniel Sweeney reduced their advantage to four (0-6 to 0-2) at the interval.
Mary’s regained a stranglehold upon the resumption with five further efforts from the excellent Kerr, before a terrific goal from Ruairi Wilson on 45 minutes gave them an insurmountable 11-point cushion.
Sweeney’s goal from a speculative delivery on the left-wing added some respectability for Raphael’s, but despite the best efforts of Galway minor star Shane Caulfield, Mary’s held out for the win.
Scorers For St Mary’s CBGS, Belfast: C Kerr 0-9 (7f), R Wilson 1-0, D Moran (’65’), C McVeigh, D Murphy 0-1 each.
Scorers for Loughrea: D Sweeney 1-1, G Loughnane 0-3 (2f, 1 ’65’), E Morrissey 0-1.
ST MARY’S CBGS: J Darragh; S Gaskin, T O Ciarain, C O Rawe; C Hanna, D Moran, M Napier; G Walsh, C McVeigh; A Orchin, G George, J Connolly; C Kerr, S Shannon, R Wilson.
Subs: D Rocks for George (10), D Murphy for Shannon (17), George for Murphy (53).
ST RAPHAEL’S COLLEGE: E Dowling; S Pierce, L Uniacke, R Fahy; M Lawless, S Caulfield, P Coyle; M O’Brien, O Coyle; G Loughnane, D Sweeney, C Dillon; S Quinn, E Morrissey, I Fox.
Sub: D Donohue for Quinn (40).
Referee: J McGrath (Westmeath).