Daragh Ellison popped up with an extra-time winner today for St Eunan’s College in the Bank of Ireland FAI Schools Tom Ticher Junior Ulster Cup final at Carrowmena.
St Eunan’s College, Letterkenny 1 Carndonagh Community School 0
By Connor McGinty
It was clear that Eunan’s weren’t willing to give up their defence of the cup anytime soon.
An initial start with tempo higher than their semi final victory in Gortakeegan.
Good accurate passing in the first 10 minutes saw the Letterkenny students control the play.
Michael Gallagher with some great footwork made life difficult for Carn who failed to find their men from the kickouts in this opening spell of play. Carndonagh were frustrated but St Eunan’s couldn’t capitalise.
The main threat to Eoghan O’Boyle’s goal in the first half were both from set plays. Two corners and two excellent chances the Inishowen school will rue.
Lee McLoughlin took their first shot but wasn’t able to find the target.
Brendan Barr led the line for St.Eunan’s, winning throw-ins and delivering some great crosses from difficult wide positions.
The Paul Browne and Peter Lee-managed side came out for the second half at a superbly high tempo winning the ball back at almost every opportunity.High pressing football forced mistakes and when Conor O’Donnell shot low registering Eunan’s first effort, only to be denied by a strong Houghton in goal.
It was inch for inch as the two teams traded shot-for-shot. Crosses were coming to nothing for CCS who had several great chances but if it wasn’t for Daragh Ellison’s crucial interceptions and Shane O’Donnel’s marking it would have been game over.
Extra time was approaching and O’Boyle was called into action producing a fine diving save to force the extra 20 mins.
A relieved James Humphries gathered his team and sent them out determined to claim the Tom Ticher cup.
Chances were coming thick and fast but none were converted.
Michael Gallagher, warranting a man of the match award, and with a clearance in his own box finding Conor O’Donnell, Carn were exposed. Conor O’Reilly with a fine opportunity but missing from 6 yards out what looked to be the chance to seal victory.
Eunan’s did get a winner, though as O’Donnell fired over a pin-point cross and Ellison, rising like a salmon, headed home to spark ecstatic celebrations.
Eunan’s held out in what Paul Browne described as “a typical final” and it was clear why with what always is a great contest between two Donegal teams.
An All-Ireland semi-final against St.Joseph’s of Galway awaits.
The last All-Ireland winning team from Sentry Hill was in 2012. Could this be the year that Eunan’s are crowned champions of Ireland,the first time in 5 years?
St Eunan’s College: Eoghan O’Boyle, Dylan O’Brien, Paul Bradley (Charlie White), Shane O’Donnell, Daragh Ellison, Connor O’Reilly, Michael Gallagher, James Carolan, Ryan O’Donnell (Mark McDaid), Brendan Barr (Keenan Diver).
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