Conor’s calling as Loughegar produce a super second half

Scoil Mhuire 4-15 Scoil Chroí Naofa 2-6

Two goals from Conor Raleigh and a 0-6 haul from the lively Cillian Galvin were the main highlights of this Cumann na mBunscol boys football Division 2 final at TEG Cusack Park on Wednesday as Scoil Mhuire, Loughegar overcame Scoil Chroí Naofa, Rochfortbridge in very impressive fashion to take the spoils.

They led by four points at the interval before producing an outstanding second half display that saw them add 3-7 to their tally, with Antonio Bertolo and Conor Raleigh (two) swooping for three decisive goals and the Rochfortbridge side was powerless to prevent defeat. It was a clinical display, overall.

The first half was much closer, however and it 1-8 to 1-4 at the break in the Loughegar side's favour, following a late Keelan Harvey goal.

A tight opening first half saw Loughegar go in leading at the break by four points, 1-8 to 1-4, after in the closing stages. A Daibhín Mitchell major kept Scoil Chroí Naofa in contention. However, Antonio Bertolo goaled early in the second as the Loughegar side established firm control and that was the catalyst for a winning surge.

In the first half, Louis Kiernan, Conor Raleigh and Cillian Galvin (2) all scored points for the winners; Rochfortbridge were level, though when Daibhín Mitchell goaled and Aaron Robinson shot over. A Ryan Phelan point had them ahead, but Scoil Mhuire Loughegar found another gear and points from Padraic Craig and Conor Raleigh (2) saw momentum change. Mitchell pointed a free before Loughegar opened up a four-point with a fisted Keelan Harvey goal. James Geraghty and Cillian Galvin then traded points as Loughegar led at the interval.

Antonio Bertolo found the net when play resumed and Louis Kiernan shot over. Points from James Geraghty and Ryan Phelan (free) kept it interesting, but the scores dried up for Scoil Chroí Naofa. Lively Loughegar scored an unanswered 1-4 at this juncture through Louis Kiernan, Cillian Galvin (0-2 each) and Conor Raleigh who netted when Padraic Craig set him up. It was now 3-13 to 1-6 and game over.

James Geraghty pulled a goal back with four minutes left, but it was Scoil Mhuire Loughegar who pressed on: Cillian Galvin pointed and the impressive Raleigh found the net before adding a minor. At the conclusion Scoil Mhuire captains Declan Bourke and Conor Raleigh received the winners cup much to the delight of all involved.

Scorers - Scoil Mhuire, Loughegar: Conor Raleigh 2-4, Cillian Galvin 0-6, Louis Kiernan 0-4, Keelan Harvey 1-0, Antonio Bertolo 1-0, Padraic Craig 0-1.

Scoil Chroí Naofa, Rochfortbridge: James Geraghty 1-2 (0-1 from a ’25), Daibhín Mitchell 1-1 (0-1 from a free), Ryan Phelan 0-2 (0-1 from a free), Aaron Robinson 0-1.

Scoil Mhuire, Loughegar; Dara Moran, Charlie Brennan, James Nea, Cian Heffernan, Declan Bourke, Antonio Bertolo, Cillian Galvin, Louis Kiernan, Shea Dowdall, Conor Raleigh, Padraic Craig, Keelan Harvey, Daniel Morgan, Liam Doyle, Peter Webb, Ollie Raeside, Peter Whelan, Alex Reynolds, Sam Carey, Harry Brennan, Ryan Donnelly.

Scoil Chroí Naofa, Rochfortbridge; Harry Butler, Darragh Tone, Ryan Brogan, Stephen Gorry, Thomas Moore, Cillian Gavin, James Geraghty, Ryan Kelly Milligan, Aaron Robinson, Cathal Kealy, Leo Brogan, Ryan Phelan, Daibhín Mitchell, Conor Gavin, Pauraic Cooney, Oisín McCormack, Kareem Marey, Antoni Stempkowski, Charlie Boylan, Adam Dunphy, Eoghan Fitzgerald, Dickson Uyloghosa Igiebor, Carl Jewell, Leon McCarthy Gahan, John McDonagh, Shane Walshe, Marco Trigo-Lyster.

Referee: Ken Daly (Loughnavalley).