CBS Roscommon come up just short in Connacht final
The CBS Roscommon squad that lined out in the Connacht Post Primary School Junior A football final in Bekan.
CBS Roscommon came up just short in their attempts to secure a first Connacht Post Primary Schools Junior A football title in 40 years when they lost out 1-9 to 1-8 to St. Jarlath’s College.
The Roscommon school had last claimed this title in 1984, defeating St. Jarlath’s College in that decider. However, they were thwarted on this occasion with CBS Roscommon suffering final defeats in this competition in two of the last three years.
In an enjoyable affair that CBS Roscommon contributed to immensely, it was Cian Hynes’ 1-4 for a St. Jarlath’s side that were managed by Jack Grugan, brother of Armagh footballer Rory Grugan, that proved the difference.
CBS Roscommon enjoyed the perfect start when Chris Feerick’s deflected point attempt broke inside with Cian Kiernan slotting the ball low into the back of the net.
Hynes and Seamie Carthy traded efforts for their respective sides but CBS Roscommon only kicked one point in the next half hour of football. St. Jarlath’s created five sighters of goal in the first half with Dara Costello voing close on three occasions with his last attempt rattling the crossbar.
Despite two Hynes frees, an Adam Killian placed ball ensured CBS Roscommon led 1-2 to 0-3 at the interval.
St. Jarlath’s drew level just two minutes into the final period, aided by an brilliant Dara Costello point. Killian struck two huge scores to bolster the Roscommon side but St. Jarlath’s struck for a defining 1-2 without reply.
The goal came after the otherwise excellent Daire Kilcline saw his short kickout claimed by Hynes, who appeared to have been held up before unleashing a spectacular effort to the top corner of the net.
Once more, CBS Roscommon dug in as they levelled through a Seamie Carthy effort but St. Jarlath’s hit back with a pair of scores to lead 1-9 to 1-7.
CBS Roscommon couldn’t create the goal chance they needed. Sam Hannon tapped over a late free but it was St. Jarlath’s who secured provincial glory.
Full report in next Tuesday's Roscommon Herald
