North Mayo school triumph in Flanagan Cup final

St. Muredach’s College, Ballina, have captured the Flanagan A Cup after defeating St. Gerald’s College, Castlebar, on a 3-13 to 1-6 scoreline at a chilly Josie Munnelly Park, writes Patrick Hennelly.

St. Gerald’s were under some early pressure in the first half but against the run of play they almost snatched a goal on eight minutes.

Ryan McDonnell’s attempted two-point free fell to the hovering Luke Lydon and the latter was most unlucky to see his fisted goal attempt hit the post.

St. Muredach’s seemed to have the better cohesion in their link-up play and the north Mayo side grabbed their first goal of the afternoon on 15 minutes.

Ardnaree Sarsfields’ Nathan Roddy set up Sean Foody and the latter’s superb finish was destined for the top corner of the net, which shunted the red and white into a 1-3 to 0-1 lead.

However, the St. Gerald’s response was instantaneous, with Patrick Garvey’s expert pass collected by Fionn McHale who with panache.

However, on 21 minutes, St. Muredach’s added a vital second goal courtesy of Roddy and St. Muredach's led 2-5 to 1-3 during the half-time pep-talks.

A well-taken two-point free from Lydon on 34 minutes was warmly greeted by the St. Gerald’s faithful but the Castlebar team’s game plan suffered a setback on 37 minutes.

A marvellous counter-offensive move by St. Muredach’s ended with Roddy adding his second goal of the joust, and suddenly the deficit was seven points, 3-6 to 1-5.

Try as they might, there was no way back for a gallant St. Gerald’s side, and points from Roddy (two), Dylan Sweeney, Oisin Gavin and Patrick Carr helped secure a coveted Flanagan Cup title for St. Muredach's College.