Longford’s Mercy Ballymahon Secondary School crowned Leinster Senior ‘C’ football champions

Mercy Ballymahon Secondary School . . . 3-8  Gaelcholaiste Reachrann (Dublin) . . . 1-7

Showing a lot of courage  after looking in some trouble when they trailed by a point in the early stages of the second half, Mercy Ballymahon came storming back to score three decisive goals through Josh Kelly (2) and Conor Lynn on the way to winning the Leinster Post-Primary Schools Senior ‘C’ football championship title.

Played on the astro turf pitch at the St Loman's GAA grounds on a miserable wet Friday evening last in Mullingar, Ballymahon SS (coached by Shane Kenny and Darren Nerney) were guilty of kicking a total of eight wides in the first half but it eventually came good on the changeover after the south Longford school held a slender 0-7 to 1-2 lead at the break.
Irish language college Gaelcholaiste Reachrann (Dublin) were stiff opposition in the final and their strong start to the second half yielded three points in a row, one of which was a clear-cut goal attempt from full-forward Daniel O Cionga (0-3) that was deflected over the bar.
But Ballymahon SS were not going to be denied a tremendous triumph and regained the lead with their opening goal from Josh Kelly in the 38th minute after a shot from the captain Sean Egan dropped short and broke kindly into the arms of the Kenagh sharpshooter right in front of the posts.
Kelly then broke through on a penetrating run through the opposing defence to leave the other corner-forward Conor Lynn with the straight forward task of flicking the ball into the net from a few yards out in the 46th minute and this proved to be a shattering blow for the stunned Dublin champions.
The third goal for Ballymahon SS materialised in the 55th minute when Cormac McGann created the opportunity for the chief marksman Kelly to hit the target with a fine finish and the Munster champions Bantry Secondary School (Cork) or Tarbert Comprehensive College (Kerry) now await in the All-Ireland semi-final in a couple of weeks time.
Considering that it was such a quick three-day turnaround from their win over Colaiste Bhride Carnew (Co Wicklow) in the Leinster semi-final earlier in the week, this was an excellent achievement by Ballymahon SS.
Apart from the slump in the early stages of the second half, it was a fine all-round team performance and particularly prominent in a sharp attack were Josh Kelly, Conor Lynn and Cormac McGann with the dangerous trio accounting for a total of 3-5 between them.
Gaelcholaiste Reachrann started well to lead by 0-2 to 0-0 but then suffered a setback when defender Cathal O Murchu received a black card for a robust foul on Kelly.
With the extra man advantage for a ten-minute period, Ballymahon SS then enjoyed a purple patch which yielded four points in a row through Josh Kelly (free), Sean Dillon (a great strike), Conor Lynn (after a goal attempt from Cormac McGann was blocked) and Peter Ballesty.
While the Donaghmede school went back in front after their towering midfielder Stiofan O Hici converted a penalty for a goal in the 21st minute, Ballymahon SS produced a strong finish to the first half with a brace of points from McGann along with another score from Ballesty.
Mercy Ballymahon added another 3-1 to their tally (with Josh Kelly landing a craccking point) in the second half to emerge victorious with the Dublin champions shooting five points and missing some good chances in the process of enjoying a lot of possession.
The losers' tale of woe was complete when wing forward Senan Mac An Chrosain was sent-off for a second yellow card offence in the closing minutes of this entertaining encounter.

MERCY BALLYMAHON SS: Darragh Egan (Carrickedmond); Rian O’Boyle (Cashel), Dan Devlin (Grattans), Conor McHugh (Grattans); Davy Marlowe (Tang), Sean Egan (Carrickedmond), Taylor Slevin (Tubberclair); Daniel Galvin (Kenagh), Sean Dillon (Milltown, 0-1); Cormac McGann (Kenagh, 0-2), Peter Ballesty (Milltown, 0-2), Conor Murtagh (Cashel); Josh Kelly (Kenagh, 2-2, 1 free), Oliver Manser (Kenagh), Conor Lynn (Milltown,1-1).

Sub (blood):- Harry Byrne (Kenagh) for T Slevin (30 mins); Slevin for Byrne (three minutes into the second half). 

The other members of the successful squad are as follows: Shane Gavigan (Rathcline), Eddie Byrne (Ballymahon), Andrew Vaughan (Ardagh Moydow), Patrick Egan (Carrickedmond), Chris Martin (Cashel), Daniel Taplin (Tang), Muna Aguneche (Clonguish), James Gillen (Ardagh Moydow), Niall Hawes (Grattans), Danny Rhatigan (Ballymahon), Emmet Murtagh (Cashel), Tadhg Tiernan (Grattans), Cathal Reilly (Tang) and Jamie Donoghue (Carrickedmond). 

GAELCHOLAISTE REACHRANN: Cian Mag Fhloinn; Cillian O Fearghail, Cormac O Duigneain, Cathal O’Murchu; Jonny O Maidhaigh, Aodan O Donnchu, Diarmuid O Murchu; Stiofan O Hici (1-0), Dara Misteal (0-1); Senan Mac An Chrosain (0-1, free), Cameron O Cleirigh (0-1, free), Eavin O Hici; Eoghan O Fuaruisge, Daniel O Cionga (0-3), Tadhg O Domhnaill (0-1).

Subs used (all in second half):- Aodh O Conchubhair (38 mins); Scott Mac Siulai O Casaide (45 mins);  Conor O Raghallaigh (56 mins); Maitiu Mac Suain (60 mins). 

Referee: Niall Ward (Westmeath).