St Catherine's pipped by Balla in FAIS All-Ireland Secondary Schools' B senior semi-final

A third minute goal by Balla Secondary centre-half Aaron Dunleavy sent St Catherine's away very disappointed in the FAIS All-Ireland Secondary Schools' B senior semi-final played at Manulla FC grounds in Mayo.

St Catherine's VS 0-1 Balla Secondary (Mayo)

The game was originally fixed for Sligo Rovers Astroturf but it was deemed unsuitable to a number of players due to injuries.
All attempts to get a grass pitch for the All-Ireland semi-final failed so the Killybegs side had to forego neutral setting and travel all the way to Castlebar.

Because of the venue, there were no supporters from the school present while Balla had plenty of vocal support, which would have made a huge difference.

The pitch was not what the St Catherine's players were accustomed to at Emerald Park and that along with a no-nonsense Balla back four who hoofed everything clear, led to the narrow defeat. St Catherine's despite going down the early goal, kept plugging away and were kept at bay by some last ditch tackling.

A late free kick from Alex McBrearty was tipped over the bar by the Balla 'keeper David Peloz and by that stage the Killybegs knew it was not going to be their day. The entire squad will have another chance on the Gaelic field on Thursday next when they take on local neighbours Coláiste na Carraige in the Faul Cup Ulster semi-final, to be played in Fintra.

ST CATHERINE'S VS: Daire Brennan; Colin Mooney, Gavin Gallagher, Jack Boyle, Kyle McGeoghan, Christopher Mulligan, Ambrose McGee, Dermot Cunningham, JP McGuinness, Alex McBrearty, Dean Breslin. Substitutes: Daniel McCallig, Martin Heraty, Barry Murray, Shane Adair, Matthew Huntley.

BALLA SECONDARY: David Peloz, Cillian Boyce, Josh Mohan, Aaron Dunleavy, Dean O'Malley, Conor Burke, Aaron Moran, Brian O'Donovan, Jack Marder, Alex Cunningham, Jack Cunninghan. Substitutes: James Dunne, Joshua Kiely, Conor Nolan, Oisin Cronin, Gavin Murphy.