Lyons the hero in last-gasp Portarlington win over Gaelscoil Phortlaoise
The game looked destined for extra-time before Sam Lyons won it for his school
St Patrick’s BNS Portarlington edged a thrilling Roinn 2 Boys Shield Final with the very last puck of the game, as a Sam Lyons free secured a dramatic victory over Gaelscoil Phortlaoise. It was a game that had everything. Nine goals and countless momentum swings.
Portarlington 5-9
Gaelscoil Phortlaoise 4-11
Gaelscoil Phortlaoise made the stronger start with three points from the lively Ned Mac an tSionnaigh. Oisín McCormack responded for Portarlington before Sam Lyons added a 45 to close the gap. Lorcán Mac Giolla Bhríde knocked over a free for Gaelscoil before Mac an tSionnaigh rattled the net with a powerful finish.
Portarlington replied swiftly as Aaron Walsh slotted home a goal after good work from McCormack, and a Lyons free soon reduced the gap to one. Gaelscoil hit back with another Mac Giolla Bhríde free, but it was Lyons who had the final say of the half, scoring a well-taken goal to give Portarlington a 2-3 to 1-5 lead at the break.
Walsh kicked off the second half with a point, but Gaelscoil roared back as Mac an tSionnaigh fired in his second goal. Lyons levelled the sides soon after, and the teams traded scores in a gripping third quarter.
Mac Giolla Bhríde and Mac an tSionnaigh nudged Gaelscoil in front again, but Portarlington surged back with a goal from Tommy Walker Smith. Gaelscoil refused to go away, Mac Giolla Bhríde landed another free and Eoghan Ó Maolagáin added a point to level things again.
Walsh bagged his second goal before a point from Walker Smith stretched the lead. But Gaelscoil weren't done, with Pádraig Mac an tSionnaigh and then Tadhg Ó Buacháin finding the net to make it 3-10 to 4-7 and all square once more.
Walsh completed his hat-trick to push Portarlington ahead again, with another Walker Smith point giving them breathing room. But there was more drama as Mac an tSionnaigh completed his own hat-trick, tying the game once again.
SCORERS–Portarlington: Aaron Walsh 3-1, Sam Lyons 1-5 (0-2 frees, 0-1 45’), Tommy Walker Smith 1-2, Oisin McCormack 0-1 free Gaelscoil Phortlaoise: Ned Mac an tSionnaigh 3-4, Lorcán Mac Giolla Bhríde 0-5 (0-4 frees, 0-1 45’), Tadhg Ó Buacháin 1-0, Pádraig Mac an tSionnaigh and Eoghan Ó Maolagáin 0-1 each.
Scoil Phádraig Portarlington BNS: Sam Petriw, Andrew McCallum, Jack Scully, Donnacha Connaughton, Tommy Walker Smith, Oisín McCormack, Sam Lyons, Aaron Walsh, Tom Maher. Subs: James Brady, Dominic Wyse, Oscar McGurrell, Luke Hayes, Noah Kiernan, Michael McCallum.
Gaelscoil Phortlaoise: Stiofán Ó hUaine, Odhrán Ó Droighneáin, Klayton Ó Maolagáin, Lorcán Mac Giolla Bhríde, Tadhg Ó Buacháin, Pádraig Mac an tSionnaigh, Aodhán Ó Ceallaigh, Scott Ó Murchú, Ned Mac an tSionnaigh. Subs: Kian Ó Gréacháin, Eoghan Ó Maolagáin, Zach Mac Gabhann.