CONNACHT SCHOOLS' SENIOR CUP: Athenry 22 Gallen CS 14:ATHENRY VOCATIONAL School, more renowned as a hurling nursery, clinched a spot in the semi-finals of the Connacht Schools' Senior Cup yesterday.
A terrific display from outhalf Keelan Blade paved the way as the Galway school ran in four second-half tries at Monivea yesterday to reach the last four for the first time.
Gallen CS from Ferbane in Offaly held a 14-7 lead midway through the second half thanks to tries from John Dooley and Dara Corbett.
Those touchdowns came either side of Barry Keane’s equaliser for Athenry after a scoreless opening 35 minutes.
But outhalf Blade took control for Athenry and his creative running set Jamie Joyce clear for a try in the 15th minute to leave it 14-12 to Gallen.
And with time running out Blade’s quick-tap penalty exposed the Gallen rearguard as Kevin Divilly crossed to give Athenry a deserved three-point lead.
Athenry, who will meet Coláiste Iognáid in the semi-final, finished in style when prop Dean Keary powered over in the last minute.
Scorers: Athenry: Tries: Keane, Joyce, Divilly, Keary. Con: Blade, Gallen: Tries: Dooley, Corbett, Cons: Corbett (2).
ATHENRY VOCATIONAL SCHOOL: P Flaherty; M Hession, K Divilly, C Lane, C Mannion; K Blade, G Kennedy; D Keary, D Fahy, M Burke; C Dolan, J Joyce; B Keane, D Maher, J Connolly. Replacement: D Hurney for Kennedy (38 mins).
GALLEN COMMUNITY SCHOOL:L Fox; R Doolin, D Egan, J Mulleady, B Gilligan; D Corbett, W Healy; G Dunne, N Quinn, T Dunican; J Dooley, K Connor; D Duignan, P Hennessy, D Higgins. Replacements: L Hottimer for Gilligan (53 mins), L Claffey for Fox (68 mins), C Healion for Dooley (68 mins), W Keenan for Duignan (70 mins).
Referee:Jason Craughwell (CBIRFU).
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