Ballagh’ pupils have the goal-den touch
Action from the Division 4 final between St Attracta's NS, Ballaghaderreen and Claremorris NS. Picture: Michael Donnelly
Who needs points when you can just go for the jugular each time? That was the motto of St Attracta’s NS, Ballaghaderreen as they narrowly defeated Claremorris NS to win the Cumann na mBunscol Division 4 hurling title.
The South Mayo school got the opening point of last week’s final through a free by goalkeeper Donnacha Collins. Their backline was making matters difficult for St Attracta’s but Paddy Hoskins would soon put them in front with the first of his majors on six minutes.
A quick burst of goals from Claremorris however, would have them in front by the break. Nicole Ciweck caught the Ballagh’ goalkeeper off his line and thundered a shot into the roof of the net. A minute later, a long-range free by Collins went through a host of bodies and ended up in the goal to put them 2-1 to 1-0 in front.
Both sides cancelled each other out in the early stages of the second-half, with defences on top. However, St Attracta’s saw a break go their way with a goalmouth scramble and Hoskins was in the right place to rifle home soccer style eight minutes into the second-half.
Hoskins would soon be the hero as two minutes later, he again kicked the small ball into the back of the net and St Attracta’s held on for the county title.
St Attracta’s NS, Ballaghaderreen: Odhran Conway, James Towey, Wynand Coetzee, Martin Ward, Paddy Hoskins (3-0), Kealan Finn, Aly Makula, Adam Sluka, Jiri Hodbod, Martin Ward, Lukian Filho.
Claremorris NS: Donnacha Collins (1-1f), Petar Plesa, Lorenzo Apaw, Patrick Blake, Conor Doherty, Fionn Raftery, Sean McGahon, Scott Veldon, Nicole Ciweck (1-0), Fionn Prendergast, Fionn Kilcourse, Eimear Hunt.
REF: John Burke
