Bliss for Brendan's in Connacht final 

Coláiste Naomh Bhreandáin have claimed the Mezzino.ie Connacht GAA Post Primary Senior ‘D’ title after holding on from a St Tiernan’s College second-half comeback at a very windy Bonniconlon on Saturday afternoon, writes Fiona Halligan.

The Erris side won 1-16 to 1-13 but that tells only some of the tale as Naomh Bhreandáin had gone in 12 points to the good at half-time but St Tiernan’s made use of the strong cross-field wind in the second half and came within three points of the eventual winners.

The final five minutes of the game were frentic after St Tiernan’s found their foothold in the second-half and they Crossmolina school had chances to level the game but came up just short with the Belmullet school heading home with the silverware.

Captain Fionn Ó Donnchaidh kicked ten points for the winners, including eight in the first-half that ended 1-12 to 0-3 in their favour.

St Tiernan’s came out flying from the traps in the second half with Dylan Lavelle hitting their first two pointer of the game following 50 seconds of play in the second period.

They followed this up with an immediate point from the kick out with Coyne hitting his second of the day to leave the score 1-12 to 0-6 just one minute gone.

They maintained the momentum and restricted their opponents to just four points for the entire period while cutting their own deficit back to three points but the Crossmolina side were unable to convert any of the chances that they had in the final minutes and Naomh Bhreandáin’s put in a huge defensive display at the end of the game to ensure they came away with the silverware.

It was an intriguing battle between the two North Mayo sides with Coláiste Naomh Bhreandáin marching on to the All-Ireland semi-final where they will meet the winner of the Munster final.

See Tuesday’s Western People for full coverage.