St. Aloysius advance

Connacht Colleges SF ‘C’ semi-final St. Aloysius Athlone ………………………………. 0-12 Gortnor Abbey ………………………………………. 0-11 St. Aloysius Athlone who feature several Roscommon players in their squad, qualified for the final of the Connacht Colleges ‘C’ senior football championship when they had a point to spare over Gortnor Abbey of Crossmolina in this excellent semi-final played in Rockfield last Thursday afternoon.   The game was well contested all through. With Niall Harney and Darragh Lennon leading the way, Aloysius led by 0-7 to 0-4 at half-time. In fact Aloysius also led by three points with 13 minutes left but the Mayo college improved in the final quarter.   Aloysius goalkeeper Naas Connaughton made two excellent saves to deny the Mayo lads but Gortnor reduced the gap to a point with minutes left. Darragh Lennon edged Aloysius ahead in the 53rd minute before Gortnor replied with a great point a minute into injury-time. Then Neil Harney put Aloysius two points up two minutes later but then Gortnor narrowed the gap to one point again five minutes into injury-time but they just couldn’t get the equalising score in the final minute played by referee Haulie Beirne. St. Aloysius play Ballisodare in the final on Saturday next in Frenchpark at 2 pm. St. Aloysius: N Connaughton; C Hannon, S Mulvey, A McNamara; J Harney, N O’Connor, C Harney; D Qualter, D Lennon (0-6); E Connaughton, J Keegan (0-1), R Egan (0-1); N Harney (0-3), G Pettit, N Keenan (0-1). Sub: R Connaughton.