FAI Schools Junior ‘B’ Boys National Cup Final (Under 17, Small Schools)
Wednesday, March 5, 2025
Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair 1-1 Coláiste an Phiarsaigh (AET) Pobalscoil won 8-7 pens
Brian Mac Pháidín (26) Evan Peelo (90+4 pen)
POBALSCOIL GHAOTH DOBHAIR pulled off an exceptional victory over Coláiste an Phiarsaigh following sudden death penalties which saw the schools take ten penalties apiece to decide the winner at Longford Town FC this afternoon (March 5).
It’s an incredible third consecutive National title for Pádraig Mac Fhionnghaile’s side following their one all draw in extra-time.
Captain Brian Mac PHÁIDÍN opened the scoring midway through the first half with a stunning strike to slot past Darragh O Claochlaigh.
While the equaliser came at the death for the Glanmire scholars, Evan PEELO converting from the penalty spot in the fourth minute of added time to take us to extra-time!
There was a good tempo to the game with Peelo gifted a wonderful opportunity to convert in the thirteen minute following a defensive error from Gweedore but the young Cork maestro dragged his effort wide of the far post.
Cork’s Rónán Breatnach had another chance to give his side the lead five minutes later but he failed to hit the target from 12 yards out.
It was the reigning Champions that got on the score-sheet first as Brian Mac Pháidín ran onto a long ball from Charlie Ó Gallachóir down the right flank to cut past two defenders to slot home.
Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair heading into the break with that valuable one goal cushion.
Cian MacLochlainn’s charges were much more dominant in the second period with Peelo and O Luanaigh combining well on a few occasions. However, they couldn’t break down the Gweedore rearguard.
Darragh O Claochlaigh was called upon to stop a great effort from Gweedore’s Adam Mac Giolla Bhríde two minutes from time.
With four minutes of added time played, Evan Peelo made a blistering run forward and he was taken down inside the box. He stepped up and duly converted for a well-earned equaliser following a sustained period of pressure from Glanmire.
With the sides locked at one apiece, the extra-time period of twenty minutes didn’t harvest a winner so spot kicks were in order.
With both sides using their bench to good effect, the substitutes played a vital role in the concluding period.
The first four penalties apiece were converted brilliantly with Brian Mac Pháidín, Joey Ó Colla, Calum Feiritéar and Cian Ó hEifearnáin netting for Gweedore while Glanmire’s Adam O Raghallaigh, Cuan MacMathúna, Jack O Broinn and Evan Peelo followed suit for Coláiste an Phiarsaigh.
The first lapse in judgement was made by Tadhg Ó Baoill as he pulled his effort narrowly wide of the left peg, and it was up to Riain O hÓráin to capitalise for Cork however a super save from Lorcain Mac Giolla Choill ensured his side a reprieve, 4-4 after five penalties.
The tension was mounting as Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair starlet Charlie Ó Gallachóir stepped up for sudden death, he made no mistake while Coláiste an Phiarsaigh sub Ruairí O Riordáin dispatched convincingly.
Darragh O Claochlaigh saved the seventh kick from Aiden Ó Dochartaigh while Calum Feiritéar also saw his effort saved from Lorcáin Mac Giolla Choill. The stalemate remained at 5-5 after seven penalties apiece.
Gweedore’s Patrick Pearse Ó Domhnaill and Glanmire’s Fionn O Muirgheasa were both successful on the eighth kick of the shoot-out (6-6).
Round nine saw Christopher Mac Giolla Bhríde (Gweedore) and Jake O Foghlú (Glanmire) smash home (7-7).
The nerves were starting to build as the spot kick contenders were dwindling.
The tenth penalty for Gweedore was scored by the impressive Adam Mac Giolla Bhríde while the talented Cillian O Longáin saw his gallant effort hit of the upright to give Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair the win by the narrowest of margins! Euphoria for Gweedore, utter heartbreak for Glanmire.
A third consecutive national title for Pádraig Mac Fhionnghaile’s crew, they’ll have to build a statue to the man in the school grounds!
While it is also double celebrations with Michelle Uí Fhearghuasa’s team netting the Senior ‘B’ Girls National trophy at the end of January. Not a bad season for the Donegal institute.
It’s only the second year of playing football in the school for their counterparts Coláiste an Phiarsaigh. Judging from their technical abilities, it won’t be the last we see of them at provincial and national stages in the future. They played out an outstanding finale to their Cup campaign and should be extremely proud of their endeavours.
POBALSCOIL GHAOTH DOBHAIR | Lorcáin Mac Giolla Choill, Cian Ó hEifearnáin, John Paul Ó Gallachóir, Calum Feiritéar, Patrick Pearse Ó Domhnaill, Joey Ó Colla, Charlie Ó Gallachóir, Tadhg Ó Baoill, Brian Mac Pháidín ©, Adam Mac Giolla Bhríde, Maitiú Ó Braonáin
SUBS USED | Dáire Mac Suibhne for Ó Braonáin (53), Christopher Mac Giolla Bhríde for JP Ó Gallachóir (55), Aiden Ó Dochartaigh for Mac Suibhne (91)
SUBS NOT USED | Micheál Mac Suibhne, Jamie Ó Gallachóir, Oradhán Mac Suibhne, James Ó Dochartaigh
EXTENDED SQUAD | Cathal Mac Aoidh, Seosamh Mac Pháídín, Jack Mac Dubhghaill, Taegan Mac Giolla Chomhaill, Nathán Ó Gallachóir, Lochrann Mistéal, Gavin Ó Fearraigh
TEACHER | Pádraig Mac Fhionnghaile ASSISTANTS | Alan Ó Dochartaigh, Tarlach Mac Giolla Bhríde
COLÁISTE AN PHIARSAIGH | Darragh O Claochlaigh, Seán O Riagáin, Adam O Raghallaigh, Isaac De Baróid ©, Jack O Broinn, Riain O hÓráin, Evan Peelo, Cillian O Duagáin, Oisín Mac Uibh Aillile, Marc O Luanaigh, Rónán Breatnach
SUBS USED | Cuan MacMathúna for Mac Uibh Aillile (55), Cillian O Longáin for O Duagáin (66), Ruairí O Riordáin for O Luanaigh (73), Fionn O Muirgheasa for O Riagáin (86), Jake O Foghlú for Breatnach (91)
SUBS NOT USED | Liam Uilis, Seán O Baoill
EXTENDED SQUAD | Seán O Riain, Jake O Foghlú, Dylan O Sionnaigh, Tristan MacSuibhne, Tom O Floinn, Liam MacEnrí, Ben O Foghlú, Cian O Murchú
TEACHERS | Cian MacLochlainn, Peadar Pléimeann ASSISTANT | Riain MacCormaic
MATCH OFFICIAL | Martin Hacket (Westmeath)
