Monday, February 17, 2020
St. Clare’s Comprehensive School, Manorhamilton 3-3 Gaelchólaiste Luimnigh (AET) Gaelchólaiste won 1-4 on pens
Patrick Montgormey (5), Gabriel Gibride (40), Tarach Ó’Snodaigh (90) Dara Hough (66), Scott McAvoy (77), Gary O’Donoghue (93)
Mixed emotions in Athlone last Thursday evening as Gaelchólaiste Luimnigh made a dramatic second half come back to win on penalties; elation for the Limerick contingency but pure heartbreak for the Manorhamilton students.
Anthony McDonald’s side were two up at the break and looked in total control, but Paul Evan’s men put in a powerful performance to entertain the traveling support to clinch a pulsating tie in the midlands venue. The Munster school trailed the St. Clare’s outfit three times but took a commanding stance during the spot-kicks to overcome their opponents 4-1.
St. Clare's CS were well up for this encounter and the impressive Patrick Montgormey converted within the first five minutes after the second time of asking following a quality cut-back from colleague Diarmuid Giblin.
Gaelcholáiste Luimnigh keeper Colm McElwain made a superb save to deny Cathal Og O'Connell just before the half hour mark and the Limerick keeper did the same again to prevent Eanna Clancy from doubling their tally. The Manorhamilton onslaught forward was rewarded on the stroke of half-time as Gabriel Gilbride duly converted. McDonald’s forces lead 2-0 at the break
Roll on the second period and the Limerick fans were celebrating in the 57th minute when the ball was in the back of the St. Clare’s net but the match official had ruled off it off-side
However, Gaelcholáiste finally broke the deadlock through Dara Hough with 66 minutes on the clock.
Limerick's Eoghan Burke nearly found the equaliser two minutes later as his set piece went inches over the upright.
Patrick Montgomery saw his header from a well-placed corner kick miss the target for a fantastic chance to wrap up proceedings on 72 minutes.
However, five minutes later, Gaelcholáiste got their equaliser with Scott McAvoy the hero.
Aaron Hough could have been the Limerick saviour with only seconds remaining but his strike didn’t connect well and his effort was wide of the post.
The game finished 2-2 with extra-time on the cards.
St. Clare's super sub Tarach Ó'Snodaigh made a name for himself when he stroke the back of the net late into the first period of extra-time.
However their lead was short lived as Gary O'Donoghue scored three minutes into the second period of extra-time.
The goals ended there as the game went to the dreaded penalty kicks.
Gaelchólaiste Luimnigh held their nerve to win out 4-1 on the day with Captain Eoghan Burke, Calum Prendergast, Aaron High and Scott McAvoy all converting. The Limerick shot-stopper was in fine form denying one of three of Clare’s penalties. Paul Evan’s crew will await the winners of the other semi-final pairing as St. Aidan’s Comprehensive, Cootehill entertain St. Paul’s CBS, North Brunswick Street, Dublin in the MDL Grounds, Navan on Tuesday, February 25 at 1pm.
The FAI Schools Junior ‘B’ Boys National Cup Final is scheduled for Wednesday, March 4 at 1pm. Venue to be confirmed.
ST. CLARE’S COMPREHENSIVE SCHOOL, MANORHAMILTON | Shaun Sheridan, Tom Hughes, Barry McNulty, Peter Maguire (Captain), Mathew Connolly, Cathal Og O’Connell, Alan Kavanagh, Eanna Clancy, Diarmuid Giblin, Patrick Montgormery, Gabriel Gilbride
SUBS | Tarach Ó’Snodaigh (for Alan Kavanagh, 80 mins), Dylan McDermott (for Diarmuid Giblin, 85 mins) Gearoid O’Hagan, Dylan Gilligan, , Clive Moffitt
GAELCHÓLAISTE LUIMNIGH | Colm McElwain, Gary O’Donoghue, Aidan Fogarty, Seán Rice, Scott McAvoy, Colm Prendergast, Dara Hough, Eoghan Burke (Captain), Jordan Keane, Aaron Hough, John McCauliffe
SUBS | Ethan O’Donovan (for Jordan Keane, HT), Oisín Tiernan, Daniel Pearse, Adam Keating, Stephen Cropper
REFEREE | Ray Conlon (Midlands)
