St Attracta’s run in this year’s All-Ireland colleges senior ‘B’ football championship came to an end in the most agonising of fashion on Saturday as they lost out on penalties to their Tipperary opponents Abbey CBS in Saturday’s semi-final, played in Tuam.
Attracta’s had look the better team for much of normal time and actually led their opponents by 0-9 to 0-0 at one stage in the first half.
They were eight points clear (0-12 to 0-4) 10 minutes into the second half – but then came an Abbey CBS revival which yielded two second-half goals.
As Attracta’s scoring rate stalled, Abbey edged in front in the dying moments.
The Tubbercurry school trailed by one deep in added time.
But, despite playing well beyond the allotted five minutes of additional time, there was one late chance for Attracta’s from a free – which Michael Clifford did very well to convert.
In extra-time Attracta’s led again by two points at half-time but there then chasing the game in the second period following a third Abbey goal.
Aidan Marren converted another late free to send the match to penalties.
In the shoot-out, Abbey goalkeeper Robbie McGrath saved two Attracta’s penalties as the Tipperary school won the 3-0 on penalties to progress to the final.
All-Ireland ‘B’ colleges football semi-final
Abbey CBS (Tipp) 3-10 St Attracta’s (Sligo) 0-19 AET
Abbey won 3-0 on penalties
