Carndonagh Community School 1/0 Calasanctius College, Oranmore
Conor O'Donnell (30+1)
A 35 yard screamer from skipper Conor O'Donnell earned Carndonagh Community School their first ever All Ireland boys title in a real ding dong decider against Connacht Champions Calasanctius College on the lush pastures of the Sligo Showgrounds this afternoon (May 21) By Johnny Craig, Inish Times Sports Editor
O'Donnell's free/kick came at the end of a first half where Carndonagh had the better of the chances with the pace of lone striker Keenan Callaghan proving a real problem for the Oranmore School's back four:
In fact, Callaghan could have had a hat/trick in the first half as he got in behind the Oranmore rearguard on three separate occasions but he was twice denied by point blank Mark Greaney saves brilliantly while he also fired wide from a good position within a matter of minutes in a purple patch for the Ulster stars:
Calasanctius had overcome pre/tournament favourities De La Salle College, Waterford to reach the final and they proved their quality in the second half as the mazy runs of Ronan Manning standing out in attack:
The Inishowen School's defence, well marshaled at centre half by O'Donnell and Mickey Friel, soaked up the pressure well however and, with Corey McBride and Pearse McCarron breaking on the flanks, they counter attacked well:
The final whistle was greeted by emotional celebrations for Carndonagh who have won girls titles in the past but have achieved a significant breakthrough with this their first boys title:
No doubt we will be seeing Calasanctius again as they reached a peak this year at underage level winning two major Connacht titles in recent weeks: They can be very proud of their performance in Sligo however the determination of Carndonagh was a decisive factor in this epic finale:
Carn teacher Liam Monagle will relish this All Ireland crown and will be in defiant form to retain the crown next season following his huge success this season: However, the players will enjoy the jubilant celebrations in Donegal in the coming days, a remarkable achievement for the lads following a forty year absence in the School:
Carndonagh Community School: Daniel McCallion, Nathan Mc Kinney, Lee McLaughlin, Mikey Friel, Conor O'Donnell (Captain), Jake Harkin, Corey McBride, Ciaran Farren, Keenan Callaghan, Patrick O'Donnell, Pearse McCarron
Subs: Jordan McLaughlin, Jack McLaughlin, Joe McGonagle, Aidan Cunningham, Emmet Diver, Conor Doherty, Joseph O'Connor
Teacher: Liam Monagle
Calasanctius College, Oranmore: Mark Greaney, Jack Morrissey, Ronan Hanniffy, Cillian Doyle (Captain), Adam Rooney, Sean Courtney, Sean Delaney, Oisin Lyons, Conor Loughran, Ronan Manning, Oisin Smyth
Subs used: Eoghan McDonagh for Hanniffy (50 min)
Subs not used: Cillian McCarthy, Anjorin Adeeko, Jack McHugh, Rory Carberry, Ryan Flanagan, Thomas Heraghty, Hugh Moylan, Niall McDermott, Sean O'Donovan
Teacher: Ruth Broderick, Coach: Noel Greaney
Referee: Richard Barry (Sligo)