Gortnor boys are crowned Connacht champions
The senior boys soccer squad from Jesus and Mary Secondary School, Gortnor Abbey. Back row, left to right: Fionn Reilly, Craig Jordan, Darragh Healy, Kobe McDonald, Fionn Cosgrove, Gary Naughton, Patrick Dudas, James Brisson, Ryan Foley, Peter Sheridan, Patrick Loftus, James Ruane, Charlie Ryan, Jack O’Brien, Mark Sheerin, Dylan Flynn. Front row, left to right: Keaton Walsh, Luke Henry-Lavelle, Ruairí Coyne, Luke Williams, Joseph Siegman, Stephen Kenny, Jack Gilmartin, Patrick O’Reilly, Ethan Reilly, Andrew Montgomery, Seán Óg McGuinness.
Soccer: Gortnor Abbey have been crowned the inaugural Connacht FAI Schools Senior A2 champions after an outstanding unbeaten campaign. The side topped their group before progressing through each stage of the knockout rounds to claim the title in dramatic fashion beating schools from Mayo, Sligo, Roscommon and Galway.
They began their campaign with a 5-2 win over Kiltimagh’s St Louis Community School, as a hat-trick by Kobe McDonald and goals apiece by Mark Sheerin and Jack O’Brien saw them get the better of their Mayo rivals. They followed that up with a 3-3 draw against Coola Post Primary, McDonald bagging a brace this time and O’Brien again on the scoresheet. It wouldn’t be their last time to play the Sligo side but next up came a game against St Nathy’s College, Ballaghaderreen. McDonald, two, and Jack O’Brien were again among the goals, while also on target were Luke Williams and Joseph Siegman. The 5-3 victory for Gortnor Abbey meant that in the semi-final they would face Coola for the second time in the competition.
An early goal from Mark Sheerin gave Gortnor the perfect start, but Coola responded within two minutes to level the contest. Luke Maloney restored Gortnor’s advantage with an excellent strike from his left foot, leaving the score at 2-1 at half-time.
Playing into a strong breeze in the second-half, Gortnor Abbey defended strongly against sustained Coola pressure. Jack O’Brien converted two of Gortnor’s limited opportunities to seal victory and send the team through to the final on a 4-2 scoreline.
The final against Headford proved another fiercely contested encounter. Gortnor Abbey opened the scoring through a superb strike from Kobe McDonald. A long diagonal ball from McDonald to Jack O’Brien added a second to give their side a two-goal cushion at the break.
Headford emerged strongly in the second-half and struck twice in quick succession to draw level. Seán Óg McGuinness made a huge impact in midfield throughout the game, and his hard work was rewarded with a goal in the 70th minute to restore Gortnor’s lead. Once again, however, Headford fought back to equalise the game.
With the match entering its closing stages, both teams created chances in a thrilling finale. Kobe McDonald found himself at an awkward angle to goal and squared the ball to his captain Jack O’Brien who proved the hero, collecting the ball on the edge of the box before firing into the back of the net to edge Gortnor Abbey past Headford 4-3 and secure the Connacht title.
