Kelly and Connaughton lead the way for Colman’s

Cumann na mBunscol Westmeath Division 2 hurling final: St Colman’s NS, Mullingar 6-17, St Michael’s NS, Castletown Geoghegan 0-5

A St Colman’s NS, Mullingar panel laden with talent was in spectacular form in Tuesday’s Division 2 hurling final at TEG Cusack Park, with a second half hat-trick from Manus Kelly and a superb displays from captains Jack Connaughton and Eoghan Beehan earning the school its first title in a decade.

Gallant St Michael’s NS, Castletown Geoghegan, whose never-say-die spirit was epitomised by captain Billy Whelan and top scorer Daniel Masterson, were unfortunate to meet such a well-drilled and physically imposing side, who would have given Division 1 opposition a run for their money.

St Colman’s led 2-10 to 0-1 at half-time, with goals from Eamonn Gannon and Eoghan Beehan complemented by points from Connaughton (0-4), Cian Matthews Tyrrell (0-2). Beehan, who had 1-3 in total in the first half, scored the pick of the goals, rifling the sliothar home on 17 minutes.

The Mullingar school introduced a raft of subs in the second half, but they seemed to be as strong as the starters. After play resumed, Connaughton found the net within seconds, but it was sub Manus Kelly who caught the eye with a scintillating hat-trick. The best of these goals came on 39 minutes, when he smashed to the net after an inch-perfect ball from Gannon.

Jack Devine (0-2), Matthews Tyrrell and Cillian Breslin also found their range for the winners, while for Castletown, captain Billy Whelan picked off two decent scores.

But from midway through the first half, there was only going to be one winner here, and at full-time Westmeath Cumann na mBunscol chairman Derek Butler presented the trophy to St Colman’s joint captains Eoghan Beehan and Jack Connaughton.

Scorers – St Colman’s NS: M Kelly 3-1, J Connaughton 1-5 (0-1f), E Beehan 1-3 (0-2f), C Matthews Tyrrell 0-4, E Gannon 1-1, J Devine 0-2, C Breslin 0-1. St Michael’s NS: D Masterson 0-3 (1f), B Whelan 0-2.

St Colman’s NS, Mullingar panel: Alex Cybula, Harry Tilson, Michael Brennan, Mark Gallagher, Cian Matthews Tyrrell, Eoghan Beehan (joint capt.), Conor Walsh, Jack Devine, Jack Connaughton (joint capt.), Eamonn Gannon, Cillian Breslin, Scott Sweeney, Jack Daly, Manus Kelly, David Connell, Theo Kelly, Shay Leavy, Andy Sinnott.

St Michael’s NS, Castletown Geoghegan: Jack Favier, Jack Geoghegan, Conor Corcoran, Daniel Masterson, Billy Whelan (capt.), Éibhle Corcoran, Donnacha Mangan, Amy Birch, Rosie Rami, Mark Carey, Orlaith Clarke, Lilly Farrell, Isabella Lynam, John Dwyer, Charlotte Ripley.

Ref: James McGrath (Turin).

Player of the match: Jack Connaughton (St Colman’s NS, Mullingar).