Claremorris produce a masterclass to lift Mayo GAA crown

by Patrick Hennelly

Claremorris National School produced a masterclass display today to claim the Mayo Cumann na mBunscol Division Four hurling title with a 8-5 to 0-3 victory over Gaelscoil na gCeithre Maol, Ballina.

The pitch at Canon Gibbons Park, Claremorris, was in pristine condition and the fine weather also allied to a lively contest.

The newly amalgamated Claremorris National School made a blistering start with Kyle Gleeson notching 1-1 inside the first minute.

Gaelscoil na gCeithre Maol were shellshocked and the brave Ballina pupils faced an early mountain to climb after the in-from Gleeson added his second goal on two minutes.

The blues continued to produce some neat attacking forays and they netted a third green-flagged effort of the joust on five minutes, courtesy of the busy Jack Veldon.

The navy and red tried to regroup and they almost plundered what would have been a morale boosting three-pointer on six minutes, however, Roan MacUidhir’s opportunistic chipped effort flew inches wide.

MacUidhir did manage to register three points (two frees) for his team-mates during the first half, but Veldon’s superb goal on 11 minutes ensured a commanding 4-2 to 0-3 interval advantage for the blues.

Ballina’s second-half comeback hopes received a setback when Gleeson pounced for another three-pointer on 14 minutes (13 minutes per half).

A gallant Ballina tried their level best to muster some scores during the second half, but the Claremorris defence remained watertight.

The south Mayo pupils closed out proceedings impressively and they galvanized their lead courtesy of further goals from Veldon (two) and a long-range free from Flynn Cassidy which ended up in the back of the net.