Scoil Mhuire Secondary School, Buncrana 2-0 St: Gerald’s College, Castlebar
Mark Timlin (22), Ryan Varma (52)
A goal in each half was enough for Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana to see of the challenge of St: Gerald’s College in an entertaining encounter in Sligo IT this afternoon (March 14, 2011)
Schools International ace Mark Timlin was first to break the deadlock with an explosive shot on target for the Donegal dynamo: While the second period saw Ryan Varma pounce on a zippy free kick to seal the deal for William O’Connor’s men:
The early exchanges were intense as the Buncrana boys hit the woodwork twice inside the first fifteen: Daniel Doherty and Daragh O’Connor were paving the way forward for McLaughlin and Timlin to make their mark on proceedings: However, Conor Tuohy was having a super game for the Connacht Champs as he maintained a competent air of resolve to deny the Ulster attacking prowess
Timlin was gifted the first goal after 22 minutes of play when a comically series of errors were to pay dividends for the youngster: Enroute to goal the Castlebar defence were denied by some wrong footed play by the referee which saw Timlin in space to slice an explosive ball toward goal: The stinging effort slipped from Tuohy’s grasp and went between the keeper’s feet to slot home for Donegal’s first of the afternoon
The game ebbed and flowed as Scoil Mhuire were put under the cosh as Tom Byrne’s team found their rhythm in the match: A super effort from Colm Nevin saw his strike just drift over the upright and gave the Saints a resurge of energy:
The Castlebar contingency held their own, as chances mounted for an equaliser, with the game opening up for them late in the half: Missed opportunities were to prove costly as Jonathan Walsh and Jan Wicher went agonising close but the duo did prove impressive throughout and threatened Harry Doherty’s jurisdiction on a number of occasions with some acrobatic displays in front of goal:
The interval approached with Scoil Mhuire just gaining the upper hand with a goal to the good:
The resurge from St: Gerald’s was evident as the Saints mounted challenge upon challenge in the Scoil Mhuire’s half following the restart: Their hard work was looking to reap dividends however 52 minutes in, Scoil Mhuire broke following a third consecutive corner for the Saints:
The Buncrana outfit were awarded a free kick down the right flank when Ryan Curran was fouled: The subsequent set piece was lofted into the danger area for the lively Varma to slot home beautifully for Buncrana’s second of the afternoon:
U15 International star Noa Baba was awarded some space enroute to goal but his tangy effort produced a wicked save from Doherty between the posts:
Late efforts from Mark Mongan and Colm Nevin went wide of the mark as time ticked down for the Connacht men:
Scoil Mhuire now advance to the Junior All Ireland Final on March 23 and will await the winners of the Charleville CBS v De La Salle, Wicklow clash which is scheduled for the RSC, Waterford tomorrow, Tuesday, March 15 at 1pm:
St: Gerald’s College, Castlebar: Conor Tuohy, Pat Durcan, Ronan Carolan, Mark McHugh, Stephen Walsh, Noe Baba, Jake Gannon, Colm Nevin, Mark Mongan, Jonathan Walsh, Jan Wicher
Subs: James Durcan, Adam Murphy, S O’Donnell, James Lydon, Mark Howley, Nathan Gibbons:
Teacher: Tom Byrne
Scoil Mhuire Secondary School, Buncrana: Harry O’Doherty, Matthew Barber, Ryan Doherty, Peter Doherty, Brure Waldrun, Ryan Curran, Daniel Doherty, Daragh O’Connor, Pete McLaughlin, Mark Timlin, Ryan Varma
Subs: Shane Devlin, Cian Hirrell, Georgie Kelly, Michael Coyle, DJ Clarke
Teacher: William O’Connor
REFEREE: James Dermody (Roscommon)
Report courtesy of Stephen Moriarty