Mountmellick CS claim Leinster SFC 'D' title after superb display against Dublin’s Scoil Chaitríona

Mountmellick Community School are Leinster SFC ‘D’ champions after proving far too strong for Scoil Chaitríona in Friday’s final played on the 4G surface in St Loman's GAA Mullingar.

The game was effectively over by half-time as Mountmellick built up a 2-4 to 0-2 lead despite playing into a strong wind. With several players capable of scoring from distance, the signs already looked ominous for the Dublin side.

Scoil Chaitríona handed Mountmellick the opening score when they were penalised for overcarrying just outside their 40-metre arc. Eoghan Lalor stepped up and split the posts despite a strong wind blowing into his face. Sean Lalor extended the lead to three points to no score inside five minutes.

The first of Scoil Chaitríona’s two first-half points followed when Jack Ó Brogáín converted a free. Shane Conran replied with a free of his own before Ó Brogáín added another to leave it 0-4 to 0-2.

Mountmellick then struck a decisive blow, scoring two goals in the space of three minutes. Ian Dunne pressured goalkeeper Alex Ó Duinn into a mistake, leaving Dunne with a simple finish into an empty net. Tadhg Hughes was credited with the second goal when his effort across goal was turned into his own net by Ryan Ó Conaill, though the ball looked destined for the net regardless.

Scoil Chaitríona had a goal chance of their own beforehand when Blake Ó Broin went one-on-one with James Smyth, but he dragged his shot wide, much to the dismay of their large group of supporters.

Mountmellick went into the break leading 2-4 to 0-2 and, with the advantage of the strong wind in the second half, they were firmly in control.

That proved to be the case as Conran added his second free before Hughes struck for his second goal of the contest. Dunne, scorer of the first goal, provided an excellent pass to Hughes, who finished confidently.

Oisín Hade then added a two-pointer as the Scoil Chaitríona goalkeeper struggled to kick the ball beyond the arc, such was the strength of the wind on the 4G pitch in Mullingar.

Oscar Ó Briain scored Scoil Chaitríona’s third point with 51 minutes played, but by that stage the outcome was no longer in doubt. Conran and Hade added further scores for Mountmellick, while Scoil Chaitríona managed to work a goal at the other end through substitute Ben De Brugha.

Mountmellick finished strongly, adding 1-4 without reply to emphatically seal the title. Hade brought his tally to four points from play, while substitute Jack Mahon also got on the scoresheet. Scoil Chaitríona ended the game with 14 players after Bailey Mac Liam was shown a black card in the 61st minute.

Hade later raised his second two-point score of the game with a free from outside the arc. He was also involved in Mountmellick’s fourth goal, catching a kick-out and playing in Sean Lalor after goalkeeper Ó Duinn was caught off his line, leaving Lalor with the simple task of finishing to the net.

FINAL SCORE

Mountmellick CS 4-13

Scoil Chaitríona 1-3

SCORERS- Mountmellick CS: Tadhg Hughes 2-0, Oisin Hade 0-6 (one two-pointer, one two-point free), Sean Lalor 1-1, Ian Dunne 1-0, Shane Conran 0-3 (0-2 frees), Eoghan Lalor 0-2 (two-point free), Jack Mahon 0-1. Scoil Chaitríona: Ben De Brugha 1-0, Jack Ó Brogáin 0-2 (0-1 free), Oscar Ó Briain 0-1.

MOUNTMELLICK CS: James Smyth (Mountmellick); Ryan Doogan (Kilcavan), Dara Grehan (Na Fianna), Oran Masterson (Portlaoise); Aidan Byrne (Mountmellick), Cillin Hoey (Portarlington), Scott Kelly (Barrow Gaels); Oisin Hade (Mountmellick), Eoghan Lalor (Kilcavan); Oisin Dunne (Barrow Gaels), Tadhg Hughes (Kilcavan), Frank Delaney (The Rock); Ian Dunne (Kilcavan), Sean Lalor (Kilcavan), Shane Conran (Mountmellick). Subs: Lorcan White (Kilcavan) for Doogan (26 mins), Oisin McRedmond (Portlaoise) for Dunne (37 mins), Jack Mahon (Mountmellick) for Hughes (52 mins), Senan O'Mahony (Mountmellick) for Smyth and Cian O'Neill (The Rock) for Delaney (both 56 mins).

SCOIL CHAITRÍONA: Alex O Duinn; Niall Ó hAlpín, Ryan O Raghallaigh, Carl O Baoill; Saul Mac Mibhric, Dara Ó Cinéide, Ryan O Conaill; Tadhg O Ceallachair, Tiarnan De Roiste; Oscar O Broin, Jack O Brogain, Senan Wylie; Blake O Broin, Jack Mac Caba, Charlie Mac Coisteala. Subs: Jack Mac Raghnaill for Mac Caba (26 mins), Jude Ó Sé for Ó hAlpín (HT), Ben De Brugha for Ó Broin (37 mins), Bailey Mac Leinn for Ó Conaill (43 mins).

Referee: Michael Gordon (Westmeath)