St Raphael’s College, Loughrea 1-18

Castlecomer Community School 1-14

St Raphael’s College became the first Galway winners of the Paddy Buggy Cup after withstanding a late rally by Castlecomer Community School in an exciting All-Ireland PP Schools SHC 'B' final at Bord na Mona Park, Tullamore.

It was a second All-Ireland success for the Loughrea school who lifted the Croke Cup in 1995. Captain Adrian Prendergast led by example with seven points, including four from play, while Sean Connaughton weighed in with five points, including two from sideline cuts. Evan Cox also excelled at centre back for the winners who led by 1-10 to 0-8 at the break.

Points from Jack Morrissey and Ciaran Cooney handed Castlecomer the early initiative, but St Raphael's had regained parity by the fifth minute. With Prendergast and Connaughton to the fore, the winners edged two points clear before Mark O'Regan scored a 23rd minute goal to give them a five-point half-time buffer. 

Four unanswered points from Darren Shaughnessy, Alex Connaire, Evan Cox and Mark O’Regan extended the Galway side's advantage to nine points before Castlecomer hit with 1-3 without reply - substitute Bill Dowling the goal-scorer - to set up a thrilling finale.

But St Raphael's stood firm and sealed victory when Prendergast posted his seventh point in stoppage-time.

St Raphael’s College, Loughrea - C Warde; S Morgan, A Nolan, D Moran; R Kelleghan, E Cox (0-1), K Dervan; A Connaire (0-2), T Killeen; S Connaughton (0-5, 1f, 1'65, 2sl), A Prendergast (0-7, 3f), A Fahy; M O’Regan (1-2), C Slattery, D Shaughnessy (0-1). Subs: J Cooney for A Fahy, C Connaughton for R Kelleghan.

Castlecomer Community School - K Downey; C McMahon, C Kealy, D Delaney; D Coogan, J Brennan (0-1f), C Korff; D Buggy, D Bray; E Cahill (0-1), T Brennan, J Buggy (0-9, 7f, 2'65); M Doyle, J Morrissey (0-2), C Cooney (0-1). Subs: B Dowling (1-0) for M Doyle, B O’Neill for T Brennan.

Referee - S Stack.

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