St. Jarlath’s fall to Summerhill

DESPITE leading at the break, St. Jarlath’s bowed out of the Connacht Post Primary Senior A Football Championship after a dominant second half from Summerhill proved decisive in last Wednesday’s semi-final played in Bekan.

Provincial champions as recently as 2023, the Sligo school have qualified for a third decider in four attempts on the back of an impressive campaign. Their form has been flawless since an 11-point opening round defeat to holders St. Gerald’s, Castlebar. In ‘must win’ mode ever since, they have delivered first against St. Colman’s, Claremorris and Ballinrobe Community School in the group, and now Jarlath's dispatched by a minimum of six points.

As they did against Coláiste Bhaile Chláir, the Tuam students got out to a clinical start and led, albeit narrowly, at the break before fading in the second half. Three pointed frees was all they mustered after the change of ends until Killian Joyce, their most effective player on the day, hit the top corner on 60 minutes. With Summerhill striking 2-7 at the opposite end in the second half, it simply wasn’t enough.

Jarlath’s chances were also severely dented by lining out without key midfielder Shay McGlinchey. The Galway senior panellist entered the fray in the 46th minute with his left leg heavily strapped, but it was a second half that a physically more powerful Summerhill would control.

A 0-5 to 0-1 lead after 11 minutes suggested that Jarlath's had brought their A-game. Jack Finn flicked over after a Brian O’Malley point attempt dropped short. Finn then flighted a terrific pass that Joyce marked and converted brilliantly from the left corner. Further points followed from Rory Igoe, Joyce and Andrew Kehoe, with an Aaron Lang free the sole response for Summerhill in the early stages.

Jack Blake Cleary, Igoe and Tyler Waugh Bacchus all came up with big turnovers in defence. Crucially, Jarlath's were unable to sustain it as Summerhill moved ever closer in the second quarter. Lang, in particular, took centre-stage with three terrific kicks, two from play, while Eamonn O’Mahoney (free) and Paul Flynn were also on target as Summerhill drew level for the first time on 29 minutes.

Luke Dempsey converted a free for Jarlath’s during that spell and their advantage was restored when Brian O'Malley made it 0-7 to 0-6 on the stroke of half-time.

Lang set up James Donoghue for the leveller for Summerhill after the restart before Dara Costello, in his first action of the championship, won a turnover and free that Igoe converted for an 0-8 to 0-7 Jarlath’s advantage on 33 minutes. That, however, was as good as it got as the Sligo students soon turned the screw.

Lang thumped over his third from play before the key moment arrived on 44 minutes when Cillian O’Neill and Adam Feeney combined and the raiding Donoghue finished to create clear daylight at 1-9 to 0-8.

Defenders Tadhg Murphy, Finn Campbell and Patrick Brady, midfielders Cian Nicholson and O’Neill, and full-forward Aaron Lang were all to the fore for Summerhill. Though Joyce and Igoe frees provided respite for a flagging Jarlath’s challenge, the winners kept pouring forward with Lang (free), O’Mahoney (two, one free) and Adam Feeney all on target for 1-13 to 0-10 lead on 55 minutes.

Goals were the only possible source of salvation for Jarlath’s and they grabbed one on the hour mark when McGlinchey and Andrew Kehoe, their chief source of possession in the second half, combined before Joyce jinked onto his favoured left foot and roofed a fine finish.

Brief hope for Jarlath’s but Summerhill refused to be rattled and won the very next restart - admittedly with a dubious mark - and sub Odhrán Buckley, with his first touch, drilled low past Michael Quinn to add the final gloss on a hugely impressive display from a Summerhill team that was backed by a large, raucous support.

The second semi-final between Leitrim Schools and St. Colman’s, Claremorris was postponed due to Storm Éowyn and will now go ahead under lights at the provincial body’s home this evening (Wednesday) at 7.30pm.