Mountmellick Community School 3-8 Oaklands Community College (Offaly) 2-8
School’s North Leinster Senior ‘D’ Football Championship Semi Final
Mountmellick Community College reached the Senior North Leinster ‘D’ Football Championship final following a dramatic encounter in the Centre of Excellence yesterday.
The Laois school faced Oaklands Community College of Edenderry in a game that turned out to be a right classic.
Mountmellick, coached by Ballyroan-Abbey’s Padraig McMahon, looked like they were going to run away with things in the opening half as they struck three goals in the first 13 minutes.
Aided by the breeze in the COE, a great move saw defender Tom O’Connell go on a dazzlingly run and he picked out Darragh Keegan who gave the keeper no chance.
Three minutes later, another defence splitting move started by Tom O’Connell again led to Jim Scully being the beneficiary this time as he beat the keeper from close range.
The third goal came when Aaron Tarpey caught a high ball in midfield and ran past two defenders before unleashing a powerful strike high into the Edenderry net.
The visitors were rattled but they finally got off the mark through Adam Keenaghan.
Evan Boyle and Paul Fleming then added points before the aforementioned Keenaghan struck for a goal.
Mountmellick responded with three lovely points from Darcy Thomas and although James Brady scored for Oaklands, Mountmellick led 3-3 to 1-4 at half time.
Ryan Conran gave Mountmellick the perfect start to the second half with a point but Oaklands began to use the wind well.
James Brady and Paul Fleming kicked fine points to narrow the gap and another point by Adam Smullen reduced the margin to.
Mountmellick sprung Ben O’Keeffe from the bench and he slotted two wonderful points to push the gap back to six as we headed towards full time.
Oaklands went in search of goals and might have got more of them but for the brilliance of Roy Lawlor – twice he brought off point blank saves.
They did manage a late goal through Evan Boyle but time ran out and Mountmellick were through to the final.
SCORERS – Mountmellick: Jim Scully, Darragh Keegan and Aaron Tarpey 1-0 each, Darcy Thomas 0-3, Ben O’Keefe 0-2, Rory Grehan, Ryan Conran and Jack Weston 0-1 each Oaklands CC: Evan Boyle and Adam Keenaghan 1-1 each, Paul Fleming and James Brady 0-2 each, Adam Smullen and Niall Walsh 0-1 each
MOUNTMELLICK CC: Roy Lawlor (Emo); John Hunt (Kilcavan), Steven Moore (Kilcavan), Robbie McEvoy (Mountmellick); Ryan Conran (Mountmellick), Rory Grehan (Ballinamere/Durrow), Tom O’Connell (Mountmellick); Aaron Tarpey (Kilcavan), Niall Lalor (Kilcavan;); Jack Weston (Kilcavan), Rory Lalor (Kilcavan), Darragh Keegan (Emo); Jim Scully (Emo), Darcy Thomas (Ballinamere Durrow), Oran Gorman (Rosenallis) Subs: Oisin Lalor (Kilcavan) for Oran Gorman (35), Ben O’Keefe (Kilcavan) for John Hunt (42), Corey Holohan-Lalor (Mountmellick for Darragh Keegan (46)
OAKLANDS CC: Regan Kelly; Barry Dunne, Jamie Pender, Kenneth Thompson; Ryan Keenaghan, Niall Walsh, Adam Dockery; Evan Farrelly, James Brady; Craig Mullally, Shane Duffy, Paul Fleming; Adam Smullen, Evan Boyle, Adam Keenaghan; Subs Ryan Murphy for P Fleming (48)
Referee: Des Cooney (St Joseph’s)
SEE ALSO – Secondary school hurling final abandoned in Portlaoise after player taken to hospital
