ALL-IRELAND COLLEGES A FOOTBALL FINAL St Colman's, Newry 2-10 St Jarlath's, Tuam 0-15:ST COLMAN'S fended off the brave challenge of St Jarlath's at Croke Park on Saturday. The holders stayed calm, kicking four points in a row late on, and that was why the Caolan Mooney-inspired side side prevailed.
The Down college nicked two goals inside the first 11 minutes courtesy of Jack Haughey and Jerome Johnston but St Jarlath’s came thundering back.
Adrian Varley, Seán Silke and Shane Walsh spearheaded the revival as St Jarlath’s trimmed the deficit to 2-4 to 0-6 at the interval and outscored Newry by 6-2 in the third quarter.
St Colman’s reeled off four points without reply in a 10-minute spell that gave them the crucial initiative despite Walsh’s late point for gallant St Jarlath’s.
ST COLMAN'S: M McNeice; D Brannigan, N Donnelly, R Lively; S McArdle (0-1), E Magee, K Haughey; R Johnston (0-1), C Gough; C Doyle, P Casey, C Mooney (0-6, three frees); J Haughey (1-0), J Johnston (1-2, two frees), T McGreevy.
ST JARLATH'S: J Healy; C Mulryan, C Cunningham, D Collins; P Glynn, A Nolan (0-1), P Varley; G Armstrong, L Silke; S Walsh (0-9, six frees), I Burke, C McNamara; S Silke (0-3), A Varley (0-2), M McWalters. Subs: M Farragher for Armstrong (29 mins), C Óg Coen for McWalters (53 mins), S O'Boyle for A Varley (56 mins), C Slattery for McNamara (60).
Referee: M Deegan(Laois).
