Extra-time agony for Scoil Aireagail in All-Ireland Schools Final

Scoil Aireagail Ballyhale saw their All-Ireland hurling title dream fade away after they lost out in extra-time to Mount Sion in New Ross on Saturday afternoon.

Led by an incredible display from Adam Franks where the Carrickshock man registered 1-14, the South Kilkenny outfit looked well set to secure the title when the top scorer netted with two minutes left on the clock but a late Mount Sion major from Jack Teat ensured the game went to extra-time.

That setback seemed to dent the Ballyhale side as Mount Sion dominated the majority of the extra period with a Tommy Kennedy goal which was his second of the game putting real daylight between the schools.

Cian Franks got a consolation goal in response for Scoil Aireagail but time had ran out as their Waterford opponents secured a two point victory in the end. It was a nip and tuck contest from the start with points from Cathal Coogan and Adam Franks giving the Kilkenny school the early initiative as they led 0-2 to 0-1.

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A pair of Jack Teat frees helped Mount Sion keep parity ut by the halfway mark of the half, it was the Ballyhale team that maintained control through further points via Adam Franks.

Mount Sion then grabbed the opening goal of the game when Tommy Kennedy turned his man before shooting past Oisin Reid in the Scoil Aireagail goal.

Adam Franks kept Scoil Aireagail in the game as he scored five more points before the half-time interval and with Sam Mansfield adding to the tally, there was nothing to seperate the teams as they went into the dressing rooms level at 1-8 to 0-11.

Points from Aaron Coughlin, Jack Teat and Tommy Kennedy gave Mount Sion the advanatage at the start of the second half but following only two points in over 20 minutes of play, they allowed Ballyhale a route back into the game.

With Franks and Sam Mansfield doing the damage in attack, Scoil Aireagail were soon back level and they looked to have done enough to secure All-Ireland success when Adam Franks blasted a penalty to the net after Cathal Aylward was fouled in the square.

The drama was only beginning however as Jack Teat responded with a goal from a 21-yard free down the other end in the second minute of stoppage time which ensured the game went to extra-time.

Mount sion outscored Ballyhale 0-2 to 0-1 in the opening period before a well taken Tommy Kennedy goal all but took the game away from a shellshocked Scoil Aireagail outfit. Jack Teat and Alfir Ryan added on further points as the Waterford side secured All-Ireland glory.

Teams and Scorers

Mount Sion CBS: Jack Teat (1-9, 8fs); Tommy Kennedy (2-3); Aaron Coughlin, James Hurley (0-2 each); Dean Griffin, Alfie Ryan (0-1 each)

Scoil Aireagail Ballyhale: Adam Franks (1-14, 9fs); Cian Franks (1-0); Sam Mansfield (0-3); Cathal Coogan, Liam O’Grady (0-1 each)

Mount Sion CBS: Sam O’Regan; Patrick Mullally, Ciaran Flynn, Cormac Reilly; Calvin Martin, Bradley Penkert, Dean Griffin; James McGrath, James Hurley; Aaron Mackey, Jack Teat, Aaron Coughlin; Tommy Kennedy, S O'Cais, Sam Roberts.

Subs: Stephen Grant for Roberts, h-t; Bobby Swift for Grant, 65 mins; Alfie Ryan for O'Cais, 65 mins.

Scoil Aireagail Ballyhale: Oisin Reid (Piltown); Jack Dempsey (Shamrocks Ballyhale), Seamus Murphy (Carrickshock), Jamie Murphy (Shamrocks Ballyhale); Christopher Aylward (Carrickshock), Matthew Murphy (Carrickshock), Rory McMahon (Shamrocks Ballyhale); Michael Catt (Mullinavat), Conor Kinsella (Mullinavat); Cian Franks (Carrickshock), Cathal Coogan (Shamrocks Ballyhale), Adam Franks (Carrickshock); Liam O’Grady (Carrickshock), Sam Mansfield (Carrickshock), Reece Drennan (Shamrocks Ballyhale).

Subs: Cathal Aylward (Mullinavat) for J.Murphy, 43 mins; Michael Dunne (O’Loughlin Gaels) for McMahon, 75 mins.

Referee: Jimmy Heavey (Wexford)