Kelsey leads Gort school to All-Ireland glory

ENGLISH-born Killanena clubman Todd Kelsey captained Gort Community School to an historic All-Ireland Colleges victory in Nowlan Park, Kilkenny on Friday last.

Kelsey, a 17-year-old pupil at Gort Community School, led his team to their first ever colleges All-Ireland title in the U-17½ final against Blackwater College from Lismore in Waterford. The competition was confined to community schools in Ireland, of which there are just over 100 in total.

Kelsey was joined on the starting panel by two other Claremen, fellow clubman 15-year-old Cathal Noonan, who scored 1-4 from corner-forward and New Quay native Donal McMahon, who plays hurling with Tubber.

Kelsey is a key member of the Feakle-Killanena U-21 hurling team who await the winners of this weekend’s replay between St Joseph’s and Clarecastle in the U-21B Hurling Championship final.

This was a particularly sweet victory for the Gort side, who were narrowly beaten in this year’s Connacht championship. Gort has reached All-Ireland final and semi-final stages on a number of occasions in the past but the Holy Grail eluded them each time at senior and other levels.

After a tremendously well-fought first half, Gort led by just two points. However, a brace of points and goals from the Westerners left the final score at 3-15 to 3-6.

There were several outstanding performances from the Gort lads, who seemed to grow in confidence as the game developed. Great scenes of jubilation were witnessed by the strong following when the final whistle sounded.

Kelsey gave his acceptance speech in Irish. The team mentors, Eamonn Veale, Eoin Marren, a native of Newmarket-on-Fergus and Pat Connole, together with school principal Tulla’s Denis Corry, were delighted with the long-awaited victory and hope to build on the success in the coming years.