Coolera-Strandhill shock Padraig Pearses for first Connacht club title

Coolera-Strandhill (Sligo) 1-15 Padraig Pearses (Roscommon) 1-14
(after extra-time)

Coolera-Strandhill made history by winning the Connacht Club SFC for the first time thanks to a well-deserved extra-time defeat of favourites Padraig Pearses.

Ross Doherty's goal in the first period of extra-time was the key score for Coolera-Strandhill - the first Sligo winners of this competition since St Mary’s were provincial champions in 1983 - as Padraig Pearses, Connacht winners three years ago, were left to regret 14 wides.

Coolera-Strandhill, playing for a fifth successive game at the Sligo town venue, settled instantly and Niall Murphy pointed after two minutes.

This was the start of a tit-for-tat opening period, with never more than two points between the teams.

The first of Conor Daly’s two excellent points brought Padraig Pearses level but Coolera-Strandhill went back in front when Aaron O’Boyle pointed.

Declan Kenny’s fine point tied matters again before Coolera-Strandhill’s most productive phase brought two unanswered points.

Oran Harte pointed from a pass by his brother, goalkeeper Keelan, who roamed upfield to good effect, and then Kevin Banks landed another quality score for the first-time finalists.

Padraig Pearses, who were still not at their fluid best, pointed through Conor Ryan.

Coolera-Strandhill’s fifth point - a good score from ex-Dublin dual player Ross O’Carroll - came in the 18th minute but this was their last of the first half.

Conor Daly scored again for Padraig Pearses - the first of four points without reply from the Roscommon champions, who were 0-7 to 0-5 up at the break and beginning to look menacing.

Inside-forward Jack Tumulty was getting involved and he bagged two neat points in the closing stages of the