Granard Schools crowned North Leinster U-16 hurling champions in all-Longford final

Just a solitary point separated the sides at the break but a purple patch of scores in the second half from the amalgamation of the Granard Secondary Schools (Cnoc Mhuire & Ardscoil Phádraig) was enough to secure the significant win in the North Leinster Post-Primary D2 Junior (U-16) Hurling Final in Glennon Brothers Pearse Park on Tuesday. 

Granard Schools 1-8   St Mel’s College 0-9 

Despite a late flurry of scores from St Mel’s who had numerous chances to possibly win this game, the Granard schools held out for a special hurling success in this all-Longford affair with the standard particularly pleasing in the progressive promotion of the game in the county.  

It was a tight encounter in the first half as both sides exchanged scores, Evan Lyons with all 3 points for St Mel’s while Ciaran Browne contributed 3 out of the 4 points for the Granard Schools to leave it all the play for in the second half. 

The impressive Browne clocked up 1-3 (2 frees) in the third quarter to put his side in the driving seat. But Conor Spollen replied for St Mel’s with 3 points in the final 10 minutes to leave the boys in blue searching for a goal with the last few pucks of the game which they could not find despite coming close in several attacks. 

Granard eventually secured a huge win for hurling in North Longford and congratulations to the combined talent of Cnoc Mhuire and Ardscoil Phadraig and their coaches on this brilliant title triumph. 

GRANARD SCHOOLS: Cillian Leonard; Aidan Quinn, Adam Finn, Peter Cahill; Krish Kisto, Robbie Drake, Odhrán Crossan; Evan Farrell (0-1), Ciaran Browne (1-7, 4 frees); Sean Óg Browne, Oliver Brychy, Thomas Reilly; Braiden Carrigy, Seanan Neilon, Bernard Fahy.

Sub used: Cormac McCauley for B Carrigy (half-time). 

ST MEL’S COLLEGE: Stephen Ghee; Timothy Sheridan, Seán Prunty, Shane Spollen; Seán Hagan, Odhrán Foley, Ruairí Flynn; Donncha Farrell, Ryan McGoey; Lorcan McDermott (0-1), Senan Buckley, Evan Maher; Evan Lyons (0-3, 3 frees), Caolan Crossan, Conor Spollen (0-5, 3 frees).

Subs used:- Ríonn Sheehan for C Crossan (26 mins), Seán Galvin for S Prunty (40 mins).

Referee: Joe McDermott (Grattan Óg).