Talented Garbally outfit serve up impressive show in decider

ST NATHY’S COLLEGE     1-9

Kevin Egan in Bekan

THEIR 2022 Connacht Senior Cup rugby campaign may have ended with a controversial exit, but the famous blue and white hooped jerseys of Garbally College were back in the winners’ circle in a very different environment on Saturday in Bekan, when they easily brushed aside the challenge of St. Nathy’s in the Connacht Schools Senior “B” football final.

“We’ve had some very good, talented players in Garbally and we’re probably unlucky down through the years not to win a bit more, but we are delighted at this stage to put it together and get a Connacht title back on the board for the school,” said manager William Carr after the game.

“Now, not only do you want to be called Connacht champions but we have a shot at the All Ireland. If we perform it will take a damn good team to beat us. I’m fairly confident we can perform and if we do we won’t be far off when the trophy is being handed out.”

That might seem unusually bullish for a manager at this stage of the competition, yet it’s easy to see where the Ballinderreen native got his optimism, as he had just watched his side produce a competent first half, then back it up with a devastating attacking display after half time.

Two points from Cormac Gillespie and a 45 from Conor Ryan gave Garbally an early advantage, but despite playing into the wind, St. Nathy’s were creating chances, only to be let down by their finishing, both from open play and from dead ball chances.

Brian Greene finally got the Ballaghaderreen school off the mark in the 17th minute, driving at goal and firing over from 20 metres out to try and settle the nerves of the rest of the forward line, who hadn’t really found their feet.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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