Summerhill College

Summerhill College 2 years win Colleges League
By Conan O Donnell


The Summerhill 2 year team, which is trained by Sligo All Star Charles Harrison and managed by teachers Damien Keenan and Kenny Donagher have added the Connaught ‘A’ League title to add to their Championship ‘A’ title they won last month.

This talented 2 year squad beat St.Jarlaths of Tuam in both the League and Championship finals.

The Summerhill team arrived at Charlestown in Mayo on Thursday May 26 at 11.30am to be told they were playing on the back pitch, rather than the main pitch due to the demand of the club. Both Schools were disappointed not to be allowed on the main pitch for a Colleges Connaught Final.

The ball was thrown at exactly 12.30pm and Summerhill got to a magnificent start thanks to a great delivery from Luke Nicholson right into the chest of the full forward Conan O Donnell who struck it right over the black spot. St.Jarlaths managed to pull one back straight away.

From the kick out, Summerhill Captain Paul Mc Namara fielded well and struck a beautiful ball into Nathan Rooney who pulled the full back out of position and fisted it into the grateful arms of Conan O Donnell who slid the ball under the approaching keeper for a goal.

Once again Jarlaths responded immediately with a goal of their own to keep the teams close together. Midfielder Dylan Kilgallon, swapped with centre forward Aaron Flynn and almost immediately scored a magnificent goal from a free lobbing the keeper. St. Jarlaths scored two more points to keep them in contension but Summerhill’s tireless midfielder Paul Mc Namara, who is known as the engine of the team scored a long range point before the break.

At half-time Summerhill lead the game 2-03 to Jarlaths 1-03. Summerhill went into the dressing rooms to hear words from Charles Harrison, Damien Keenan and Kenny Donagher.

Summerhill got off to a dream start in second half thanks to an early point from the clever wing forward Luke Nicholson. Once again Jarlaths refused to give up and pulled back with a goal.

Midfielder Aaron Flynn used his tremendous skill to run round the Jarlath’s defence to scored his second point of the game. Soon after, St. Jarlaths pulled two points back.

Jarlath’s were putting on the pressure on Summerhills defence but magnificent play from Powerhouse full back Hadi Mousa who was catching balls from left, right and centre with men hanging off him, corner backs Lorcan Long, who unfortunately is moving to Jarlaths next year and Brian McGowan would not let the Jarlath's forward win any ball in the full forward line.

Eventually Jarlaths managed to score a goal to level the game. Summerhills went a point up thanks to a great point from an acute angle from the extremely accurate Nathan Rooney.

Great defence from the the pacey Stephen Regan, the aggressive Aaron Clerkin and the influential Darragh Cummins.

The Solid defence of summerhill was breach by the Jarlath’s forward John Mikel who scored a goal which was thought to be the winner. Along came the injured Ciaran Stenson who was deeply missed all game replaced the playmaker Alex Selby.

Connor Sweeney also replaced the Ace Gavin Sweeney. Summerhill got a free from 20 yards out and centre forward Dylan Kilgallon hit it tremendously over the bar to once again level the game.

Jarleths came so close to score a goal in the last minute but thanks to a spectacular save from keeper Luke Walsh kept Summerhills hopes alive. Aaron Clerkin attempted to take the kick out and struck it quiet poorly but Summerhill managed to regain possession and drove it up the pitch and a free was awarded. Dylan Kilgallon as usual put it over the bar to secure the win and also the top scorer position.

The boys rushed on the pitch to show there delight.

Captain Paul Mc Namara accepted the trophy and made a lovely speech and also thanks the managers for there hard work and giving up there time and dedication to help them achieve this incredible achievement.

This 2 year team is the only Summerhill team to do the Colleges ‘A’ League & Championship double this year. This team has a bright future ahead of them!

Summerhill Team:
Luke Walsh, Brian McGowan, Hadi Mousa, Lorcan Long, Stephen Regan, Darragh Cummins, Aaron Clerkin, Dylan Killgallon, Paul McManara(C), Alex Selby, Aaron Flynn, Luke Nicholson, Nathan Rooney, Conan O Donnell, Gavin Sweeney,Cian Feeney, Ciaran Stenson, Dara Mcluskey, Dara O Brien, Conor King , Gavin Sweeney, Killian Gallagher, Macdara Tinney, Oisin Cogan, Paul Gilligan, Peter Patton, Steven Quigley, Kevin Fidgeon & Jackson Smith.