Eureka Secondary School (Kells) 0-9  Mount St. Michael (Claremorris) 1-11

By Oisín McGovern at St Brigid’s GAA, Kiltoom, Roscommon 

Mount Saint Michael from Mayo have won a Lidl All-Ireland Senior B title for the first time since 2010 after a solid display secured victory over Eureka Secondary School of Kells. 

Caolinn Walsh's first-half goal for the victors was decisive. However, Eureka's high wide tally also cost them dearly and overshadowed a very good performance by the Meath-based side. 

The windy elements made for a slow-burning game where neither team could gain the upper hand. 

Eureka enjoyed plenty of possession, and used it well, but fell behind when Ashling Cummins of Mount Saint Michael saw her point attempt spilled by Caragh Reilly Brady into the path of Caolinn Walsh, who finished a decisive goal after 12 minutes. 

Mayo senior footballer Bree Hession was influential throughout the game, kicking four first-half points even as Mount Saint Michael struggled to take full advantage of the wind. 

Eureka were the better team at times and gained an early lead thanks to points from Deirdre O'Reilly and Cara Brennan before being hamstrung by Caoilinn Walsh's goal. 

Mount Saint Michael finished the half strongly with four unanswered points from player of the match Lily Hession (two), Ashleagh Sammon and Bree Hession to lead 1-7 to 0-4 at the break. 

Playing into the wind, Mount Saint Michael were efficient in their use of possession and far more accurate in front of goal. 

Three points from Bree Hession and a single from substitute Áine Lynn were enough to keep them ahead in a half where Eureka outscored them 0-5 to 0-4. 

The Meath school had plenty of chances but let themselves down with inaccurate shooting and questionable shot selection. 

Their key forward, Ella McGlue, hit one point in the second half but was otherwise very well contained by former Mayo U-16 captain Emma Higgins. 

Mayo senior Bree Hession continued to shine in the second half and nearly had an insurance score when she sent a rocket off the woodwork in the 44th minute. 

Trailing by five at that point, Eureka ploughed on but saw points from McGlue (two, one free), and Jane Hetherton countered by a Bree Hession free and an Áine Lynn single from play. 

The seven minutes added time were tense and scoreless but ended in glory for Mount Saint Michael, who brought the All-Ireland title back to south Mayo. 

Scorers: Mount Saint Michael: Bree Hession 0-7 (3 frees), C Walsh 1-0, L Hession 0-2, A Sammon, A Lynn 0-1 each

Eureka Secondary School: J Hetherton 0-4 (1 free), C Brennan, Ella Morgan, E McGlue, L Finnegan, Deirdre O'Reilly 0-1 each. 

MOUNT SAINT MICHAEL CLAREMORRIS: A Murphy; Ashling Cummins, J Commins, A Roche; S Kelly, Amy Cummins, E Higgins; S McNulty, I Phillips; É Finnerty, B Hession, L Hession; C Walsh, R Horkan, A Sammon. Subs: A Lynn for Finnerty (41), C Keane for Walsh (57). 

EUREKA SECONDARY SCHOOL KELLS: C Reilly Brady; N Smith, I McKeon, D Flynn; A Larkin, K Lynch, Eadaoin Morgan; K Kavanagh, C McDonnell; Ella Morgan, L Finnegan, C Brennan; Hetherton, E McGlue, D O'Reilly.  Subs: J Loughran for O'Reilly (39), G Conachy for Eadaoin Morgan (60+3), J Tegetmeier for Finnegan (60+4)

Referee: David Hurson (Monaghan). 

 

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