St. Kerrills N.S. emulated the success of the Galway team of the 60’s !! with their 3 in a row success in the Cumann na mBunscol 7-a-side football which they won in the Centre of Excellence in Claregalway yesterday. The light rainfall made for some difficult underfoot and ball handling conditions but this didn’t bother the Gurteen lads as they beat Aughrim 7-05 to 4-05. Managed by teacher Mr. Seamus Walsh, they got off to a poor start as Aughrim scored a goal in the first couple of minutes. Harry Mitchell responded immediately with a free taken from his hands after Ronan Hynes was fouled and Conor Moran tapped over another free, this time from the ground after a foul on Jonah Donnellan. Harry Mitchell scored the first of his five goal tally after he slide in, soccer like, to connect to a Conor Moran kick pass into the danger area. A great tonic goal and the Gurteen boys never relinquished the lead thereafter. Ronan Hynes opened his account with a superbly taken goal as Harry Mitchell’s kick pass from almost the end line found him out and the unmarked Hynes composed himself well before finding the net. Harry Mitchell scored his 2nd goal after Conor Moran’s free towards the danger area was spilled by Ronan Hynes but young Mitchell was on hand to mop up the loose ball and shoot for goal from close range. Aughrim then went on a mini scoring spree scoring 1-01; their point taken on the run on 13 mins and their goal well finished after the forward made a clean catch, turned and finished to make it 3-02 to 2-01. Gurteen had the final say before half time when Conor Moran found the net after he combined well with Ronan Hynes. Half time: Gurteen 4-02; Aughrim 2-01. Although Gurteen played with the fall in the 2nd half, it was Aughrim who got off to the best possible start clawing back the deficit with 1-01 in quick succession to leave just a goal between the sides. Then David Walsh made a point blank save to turn the ball around the post as an Aughrim comeback looked ominous but was stopped in its tracks after Ronan Hynes scored a great point on the run after some combined tigerish play from Conor Moran & Ronan Hynes in the middle of the field. Conor Kelly originated the move from defence & Paddy Kenny maintained the progress which saw Gurteen’s next point, a right boot effort over his left shoulder from Conor Moran to extend the lead to 5 points. Straight from the kick out Aughrim pointed from play but then Paddy Kenny made a great run down the sideline and unleashed a great effort towards goal which was saved but goal poacher Mitchell was on hand to tap home his hat trick of goals. Aughrim scored 1-01; the point from play and the goal leaving David Walsh with absolutely no chance, again just leaving a goal between the sides and set up a nervy finish with 5 mins left on the clock. The unmarked Harry Mitchell scored his 4th goal of the day when Ronan Hynes sent in a high lobbing ball in towards the square. Aughrim scored their last point from play but it was Gurteen who had the final say when Harry Mitchell claimed his unbelievable 5th goal and Ronan Hynes pointed from play to finish worthy winners on a score line: St. Kerrill’s N.S., Gurteen 7-05; St. Catherine’s N.S., Aughrim 4-05. These are a great bunch of lads who played with huge commitment and character which paid dividends in the end. The future is certainly bright in Gurteen. On accepting the cup Harry Mitchell paid tribute to Mr. Walsh who sacrificed his school breaks to bring the team this far. Indeed it is the 3rd successive success in this competition for the school. Squad: David Walsh, Conor Kelly, Paddy Kenny, Ronan Hynes, Jonah Donnellan, Conor Moran, Harry Mitchell, Ross Lally, Diarmuid Ryan, Cathal Hynes, Ciaran Hogan, Conor Walsh, Lewis Spencer, Eanna Cunniffe, Stephen Grady, Keith Kitt