St Mel’s College Longford cruise into the Leinster Championship quarter-finals
Leinster Schools Senior ‘A’ Football Championship Knockout Stage - Round 1
St Mel’s College . . . 4-12 Patrician College, Newbridge. . . 2-6
Harry Mulvihill scored the second goal for the Longford college who ended up in a very commanding 2-8 to 0-1 lead at the break after playing with the advantage of the strong wind in the first half.
Despite the setback of a red card for midfielder Jack Belton in the early stages of the second half, St Mel’s consolidated their firm grip on the match thanks to another goal from their chief marksman Matthew Carey in the 36th minute.
While there was no way back for Newbridge their perseverance was rewarded with consolation goals from Harry Redmond and Jack Mahon (penalty) to give the final scoreline a somewhat more respectable look.
Michael Flynn grabbed the fourth goal in stoppage time for the much superior St Mel’s side who are now through to the Leinster quarter-finals with home advantage against the Offaly Secondary Schools amalgamation at Glennon Brothers Pearse Park next Tuesday, throw-in 1pm.
ST MEL’S COLLEGE: Caolan Hussey (Mostrim); Conor Smith (Clonguish), Adam Donnelly (Killoe), Kevin Baskett (Clonguish); Gavin Farrelly (Killoe, 0-1), Ross Shields (Clonguish), James Connell (Mostrim); Jack Belton (Mostrim), Matthew Carey (Clonguish, 1-5, 1f); Andrew Flynn (Clonguish, 1-1), Matthew Flynn (Clonguish, 0-2, 1f), Jonathan Burke (Clonguish); Michael Flynn (Clonguish, 1-0), Harry Mulvihill (Grattans, 1-0), Paddy Moran (Killoe, 0-3).
Subs:- Ronan Courtney (Mostrim) for A Flynn (half-time); Cormac Harte (Killoe) for J Burke (47 mins); Cormac Flynn (Clonguish) for Matthew Flynn (60 mins).
PATRICIAN COLLEGE NEWBRIDGE: Ronan Collins; Padraig Daly, James Loughman, Adam Joyce Bowles; Eoghan Dunne, Conor Walsh, Conor Sheerin; Sean Hennessy, Jack Mahon (1-3, 2f, goal from penalty); Ryan Kearney (0-1), Eoin Curtin (0-1), Harry Redmond (1-0); Sam Ryan (0-1, f), Ian McLoughln, Ben Loakman.
Subs used:- Joe Dunne (28 mins); Cian Byrne (42 mins); Jamie Coffey (51 mins) and Tom Stapleton (55 mins).
Referee: Michael Gordon (Westmeath).