Pres Athenry retain Connacht crown

Connacht Post Primary Senior A Hurling Championship Final

Pres Athenry 1-21 St. Raphael's, Loughrea 1-18

By Billy Coss at Duggan Park

Ciarán Leen's haul of 1-14 allied to Ronan Cahalan's five points from play were the headline contributions as Presentation College, Athenry retained their Connacht Post Primary Senior A Hurling Championship crown at the expense of St. Raphael's College, Loughrea.

The winners trailed for three-quarters of the contest at a well-attended Duggan Park and found themselves one point in arrears as late of the 56th minute. Leen, who made his Galway senior debut in the Walsh Cup last month, would come up with the game-defining score, catching and blasting home their goal from close-range to give Pres a lead they would hold to the final whistle.

Managed by current Galway coach-selector Franny Forde, St. Raphael's struck for their goal as early as the second minute when Jack Shaughnessy blasted to the top corner of Cathal Mannion's net. Shaughnessy's shooting efficiency was one of the highlights of the day as the Loughrea starlet would miss just once on his way to a personal return of 1-13.

St. Raphael's enjoyed the better of the early exchanges and raced into a 1-7 to 0-4 lead after 18 minutes. Along with his early goal, Shaughnessy was flawless with four frees and an exquisite sideline, while Tadhg Mac Cárthaigh and Keegan Connaire also chipped in from play. Three Leen placed balls and the game opener from Ronan Cahalan brought scores for the more wasteful Pres Athenry.

However, the deficit would be down to just two at the break, 1-9 to 0-10, as Leen continued to accumulate for Pres Athenry and also emulated Shaughnessy's cut. Cahalan notched his second point, while centre-back Robert Burke also drilled one over from range.

St. Raphael's maintained their lead through the third quarter at 1-13 to 0-15, as a run of Shaughnessy placed balls were answered by Shay Brady, two more Leen frees and back-to-back points from the outstanding Cahalan for Pres Athenry. St. Raphael's netminder Oran Stratford also pulled off a string of fantastic saves to help his side stay in front.

Despite shooting 12 wides over the hour, Pres Athenry's finishing improved in the second half and back-to-back Leen points sent them to the front for only the second time at 0-17 to 1-13, on 48 minutes. Leen and Shaughnessy traded further scores before Mikey Maher sent over a majestic score from the stand sideline for Raphael's to level matters entering a tense endgame.

Cahalan's fifth of the contest for Pres Athenry was answered by Mac Cárthaigh's third and another Shaughnessy free as the Loughrea students led 1-17 to 0-19 with five minutes of normal time to go.

Leen would come up with the match-winning goal soon after for Pres Athenry and though Shaughnessy's 12th successful placed ball came late on for Raphael's, Leen's second sideline and a 65 secured a fourth provincial title in five seasons for the Athenry school.

CBC Kilkenny or St. Flannan's, Ennis will be their All-Ireland semi-final opponents. For Raphael's, it's a quarter-final date with Leinster kingpins, St. Kieran's.

Scorers for Presentation College, Athenry: Ciarán Leen 1-14 (10fs, 2sl, 1 65); Ronan Cahalan 0-5; Robert Burke and Shay Brady 0-1 each.

Scorers for St. Raphael’s College, Loughrea: Jack Shaughnessy 1-13 (11fs, 1sl), Tadhg Mac Cárthaigh 0-3; Keegan Connaire and Mikey Maher 0-1 each.

Presentation College, Athenry: Cathal Mannion; Dylan Martyn, Michael Lewis, Éanna McDonagh; Ronan Cahalan, Robert Burke, Shay Brady; Ronan McGlynn, Iarlaith Leen; Niall McCarthy, Áodhán McDonagh, Cian Hannon; Niall Kelly, Ciarán Leen, Anthony Poniard. Subs: Michael Coen for Kelly (56), Colin Higgins for McCarthy (60+1).

Scorers for St. Raphael’s College, Loughrea:: Oran Stratford; Jamie Noone, Gavin Maher, Mikey Maher; Andrew Keane, Louis Keary, Eoghan Spellman; Keegan Connaire, Eoghan Mulleady; Jack Shaughnessy, Tadhg Mac Cárthaigh, Stephen Keane; Ethan Coleman, Cian Connaughton, Eoghan McClearn.

Subs: Éanna Cooney for Connaughton (41), Daithí Dillon for McClearn (54), Cathal Keane for Andrew Keane (57).

Referee: Kerrill Wade (Galway).