Longford’s St Mel’s College in complete control to clinch top spot
Leinster Schools Senior ‘A’ Football Championship Group Stage - Round 2
St Mel’s College . . . 4-11 St Joseph’s Rochfortbridge . . . 1-5
Now guaranteed a home game in the last 16 of the Brother Bosco Cup, St Mel’s made the short trip to Rochfortbridge on Tuesday to take on the local school at St Mary’s GAA grounds in great conditions.
The visitors played with a slight breeze in the first half and took the lead with a couple of early scores from Cormac Flynn and Paddy Mollaghan.
Rochfortbridge were set up very defensively so it was a cagey opening with scores hard to come by but Mel's broke through for a well taken goal by Cormac Flynn to open up the game.
This was followed by a second goal from Enda Quinn after a turnover inside the Mel's ‘45 to leave the boys in blue in a commanding 2-6 to 0-3 lead at the break.
The second half was a compact performance with substitute Joshua Marsh strengthening the midfield area for St Mel’s. A slick move from deep led to a palmed goal at the back post by Cormac P Flynn who made a burst forward from wing back to finish the move.
Rochfortbridge responded with a brace of points and a well-taken goal before another goal from corner-forward Cormac Flynn midway through the second half wrapped up this resounding victory for St Mel’s.
Under the guidance of the management team of teachers Damien Rooney and Aidan Rowan, the Longford college are a well drilled outfit and kept the scoreboard ticking over with a spread of scores from James Hagan, Conor Doherty, Alan Mimnagh, Daniel Carey and Enda Quinn to run out easy winners by the wide margin of 15 points.
ST MEL’S COLLEGE: Jack Finnegan (Grattans); Ryan Keogh (Killoe), Paddy Clancy (St Brigid’s Killashee), Paul Eivers (Killoe); Cormac P Flynn (Clonguish), Mark Cooney (Clonguish), Daniel Carey (Clonguish); Jamie Dorr (Clonguish), Eoghan Kiernan (Clonguish); Conor Doherty (Killoe), Alan Mimnagh (Clonguish), Enda Quinn (Killoe); Cormac Flynn (Clonguish), James Hagan (Clonguish), Paddy Mollaghan (St Brigid’s Killashee).
SUBS:- Joshua Marsh (Clonguish) for E Kiernan; Conor Mulligan (Killoe) for D Carey; Daniel Lee (Killoe) for A Mimnagh; Tommy Killian (St Brigid’s Killashee) for E Quinn; Jack Fitzpatrick for P Mollaghan.