Calasanctius College, Oranmore 0-21

St. Cuan’s, Castleblakeney 0-18

By DARREN KELLY AT DUGGAN PARK

CALASANCTIUS College, Oranmore found their shooting sticks in the second half of last Saturday’s Connacht Senior B Hurling Final to book their place in the All-Ireland semi-finals.

Two scoring blitzes, each with six points unanswered, in the third and fourth quarters were decisive for Niall Armstrong’s side that came from seven down to secure a first provincial crown in five years.

It was a blow for St. Cuan’s Castleblakeney who dominated the first half. But, as little consolation as it is now, they pushed all the way to the final whistle with Calasanctius goalkeeper Harry Keady providing a late save to avoid extra time.

A stiff breeze favoured Castleblakeney but it was Oranmore’s Michael Leahy who opening inside 30 seconds. Despite three early misses, St. Cuan’s settled on eight minutes when midfielder Michael Burke won a free he converted himself. Luke Kennedy put them ahead seconds later.

Darragh King equalised but St. Cuan’s were finding their stride as Kennedy, Michael Burke and Cillian Fahey put three between them. A Padraic Kelly ball down the wing allowed Kennedy convert before Michael Burke continued with two more frees and St. Cuan’s were 0-8 to 0-2 clear on 16 minutes.

Calasanctius’ Colm Burke proved a major influence in the second half but he provided a moment of magic beforehand – firing over a super sideline cut from the right. But two Fahey scores, the second from play thanks to Adam Moclair, left it 0-10 to 0-3.

While Oranmore were disappointed not to find a goal, they managed to regain a foothold on the exchanges, reducing arrears by the 25th minute. Jack Cormican tallied a free before Kennedy struck back.

However, with Shay Rabbitt, Matthew Furey and captain Eanna Costello starting to increase their involvement, the latter registered on 23 minutes. And when Darragh King picked out Leahy two minutes after, the deficit was down to 0-11 to 0-6.

It gave Calasanctius a glimmer of hope but St. Cuan’s still maintained control. Jack Kenny delivered two defensive blocks; Michael Burke’s performance forced a yellow card for a Rabbit challenge; and Kennedy supplied Mikey Mulryan for a six-point half-time cushion.

The victors made two decisive decisions at half-time. They freshened up with substitutes Gus Lohan and Stephen Ruane, and they pushed players forward, especially Colm Burke and Ciaran McDonagh, to press their opponents.

Galway under-20 Colm Burke tapped over a free after just 50 seconds but St. Cuan’s were still in full flow. His county colleague Michael Burke helped Fahey convert. And the latter added a 34th minute free for a 0-14 to 0-7 margin.

But then the game changed starting with Furey. The wing forward set up Lohan for a score before finding Leahy for another.  Leahy’s fourth of the afternoon came thanks to Ruane’s assist on 37 minutes.

The run continued with Colm Burke’s free before McDonagh took a perfect catch from the sky and allowed Lohan double his account. When Colm Burke and Furey combined on 42 minutes, Leahy reduced arrears to the minimum (0-14 to 0-13).

Pictured: Calasanctius College, Oranmore’s full foward Michael Leahy is about to score an early point despite the attention of St Cuan’s College, Castleblakney defender Luke Tully during the Connacht PPS Senior B Hurling Final at Duggan Park last Friday.  Photo: Joe Keane.