CBS set up all-Roscommon senior schools' provincial football final
Captain Eoghan Carthy (right) and his Roscommon CBS team-mates are back in the Connacht Colleges B football final. Picture: INPHO/John McVitty
Roscommon CBS have set up a mouthwatering all-Roscommon schools' Connacht B football final against Scoil Mhuire, Strokestown, following a narrow 1-12 to 1-11 victory against Calasanctius College, Oranmore, at Mountbellew on Friday afternoon.
Scoil Mhuire had overcome Ballyhanus CS on penalties, and the tension was just as palpable at the East Galway venue as a goal in the 50th minute by substitute Seamie Carthy swung the pendulum in the Roscommon Town school's favour.
The teams were tied at 0-4 apiece after 18 minutes but seven first-half wides meant that CBS didn't turn hard-earned possession into scores.
Sam Hannon (two frees), John Farrell and Aaron Dolan were the early CBS scorers. Niall De Paor, son of former Galway senior footballer Seán Óg de Paor, kept the scoreboard ticking over from a Calasanctius College perspective, and when Tiernan Keane netted for the Galway school in the 23rd minute, that laid the platform for a 1-7 to 0-6 interval lead.
The nip and tuck nature of the contest continued in the second half, but CBS, through scores from Sam Hannon (two frees), Eoghan Rogers (free) and Colin Murray, eroded the deficit to two points, 1-9 to 0-10, at the three-quarter stage.
When Seamie Carthy punched to the net after a goalmouth scramble with ten minutes remaining, the CBS comeback was complete.
Late points from Cian Duggan and Daniel Cullinane — the latter's effort being pushed over the crossbar by Calasanctius goalkeeper, Brian Carroll, younger bother of Roscommon goalkeeper, Conor — kept CBS' noses in front, and they held off a late rally by their opponents to reach the final.
