St: Eunan’s College 1/1 Colaiste Phadraig, Lucan CBS (AET) (4/1 PENS)
Daire McDaid (51) Timmy Babbington (7)
Ninety minutes of competitive play was not enough for these two Schools to end the deadlock and a dreaded penalty shootout was to prove the ultimate dismissal for Colaiste Phadraig, Lucan CBS as Letterkenny lad’s St: Eunan’s dominated the spot kicks:
The Eunan’s shot stopper, Sean Patton was the hero of the day with two spectacular saves denying Gabriel Brosnan and Daniel Kennedy in quick concession at Kingspan Century Park on Thursday last (22 April):
The Lucan side made a commanding start to their semi final clash with the ball in the back of the Eunan’s net within 60 seconds: Conor Foley played a great through ball for Afeez Asiru to connect with but the young striker edged defender Jordan McBride and referee Paul Oliphant immediately ruled for off/side
Six minutes later, Colaiste Phadraig were to register one for real: Lucan’s John Lowry lofted a high ball into Timmy Babbington whose first touch was superb to control the ball under pressure: He side stepped Sean Hume to boot the ball to the top corner for a fantastic finish:
St: Eunan’s came close to equalising 13 minutes in when Daire McDaid connected well with a Sean Hume free kick but the glancing header nicked the woodwork:
It was another set piece that led to another half chance for Donegal as Captain Dale Gorman sent Keelan O’Donnell through on goal: O’Donnell put too much on the ball as it drifted high over the upright:
Letterkenny made the first change of the afternoon as Jason Doherty was introduced for the injured Keelan O’Donnell at half time:
Lucan applied the pressure early on with John Boland going close after the restart:
Eunan’s keeper Sean Patton was called into action seven minutes later as both Sean McGraine and Timmy Babbinton were denied by some athletic work from the post master as he pulled off a double save inside the six yard box:
Substitute Doherty was gifted a goal but his strike was directed straight at Ian Molloy who saved comfortably:
The Ulster Champs found some form and equalised with twenty minutes remaining: Paddy O’Loan’s initial effort was saved by Molloy but there was nothing the keeper could do when Daire McDaid connected with the rebound:
Lucan changed formation with the introduction of Conor Moore for Aaron Clancy but their efforts were in vain:
Ronan Sweeney delivered a sweeping ball from defence for Ryan McConnell to run at: McConnell immediately played in O’Loan but Molloy was again on hand to palm the ball past the right post as normal time drew to a conclusion:
Both teams were reluctant to press forward in extra time and the last of the action saw Afeez Asiru aim wide of the right after great work from team mate Timmy Babbington:
Eunan’s won the toss and opted to shoot first: A confident Ryan McConnell, Dale Gorman, Daire McDaid and Sean Hume all scored as keeper Patton pulled off two excellent saves to ensure St: Eunan’s a place in yet another All Ireland Final:
St: Eunan’s College: Sean Patton, Ronan Sweeney, Jordan McBride, Oisin Carr, Sean Hume, Dale Gorman (Capt), Ryan McConnell, Keelan O’Donnell, Daire McDaid, Paddy O’Loan, Glenn McNulty
Subs: Gerard Patton, Jason Doherty for Donnell (h/t), Anthony Ward, Joe Davies, Ryan Gildea
Teachers: Michael Harkin & Gerard Faulkner
Colaiste Phadraig, Lucan CBS: Ian Molloy, Daniel Kennedy, Dean Cardiff, Sean Cleary, Gabriel Bocsan, Glen Hoey, Conor Foley, Afeez Asiru, Sean McGraine, Timmy Babbington, Aaron Clancy
Subs: Conor Moore for Clancy (50), John Lowry, John Boland, Niall O’Connor, Conor Moran
Teacher: Ray Cullen
Referee: Paul Oliphant (Cavan/Monaghan)