FAI Schools John Murphy Senior ‘B’ National Cup Final (Under 19, Small Schools)
Thursday, February 6, 2025
Grennan College, Thomastown 5-5 St. Peter’s Community School, Passage West (AET)
Grennan won 5-4 on sudden death penalties
Isaac Magnez (14), Éanna O’Keeffe (51, 101), Colm Treacy (70 pen), Seán Denieffe (100)
Ryan Dalton (38), Golding Nduwuba (49), Darragh McCarthy (67), Tomas Hanlon (97), Liam Quinn (107)
GRENNAN COLLEGE, THOMASTOWN took a third National title following a sensational outing against defending Champions St. Peter’s Community College, Passage West in Cahir Park AFC yesterday afternoon (Wednesday, February 5).
The Kilkenny side played out a ten goal thriller following a 3-3 finish in normal time with the game reaching a 5-5 conclusion after extra time! It took sudden death penalties to see them victorious, winning out 5-4.
As we entered the fray St. Peter’s were missing talisman Rema Mbakwe through suspension but they equipped themselves admirably in the crunch encounter despite his absence.
Liam Quinn made a promising start to proceedings for the Cork team. The youngster had a fabulous low drive that just missed the near post with 12 minutes played.
However, an early goal was to come the way of the Thomastown students two minutes later with Éanna O’Keeffe unselfishly playing in Isaac MAGNEZ for the opener.
The Grennan keeper Alex Begley had to be alert to shots from distance as the Nduwuba brothers Golding and Jamie as well as Quinn rifled off a few strikes in the opening half hour.
St. Peter’s were playing some beautiful football and grabbed the equaliser seven minutes from the interval with Ryan DALTON finishing superbly.
The teams went in at the break, one goal apiece.
St. Peter’s took an early lead four minutes into the second period as Golding NDUWUBA scored an audacious goal to the far post as he cut in from the left wing, to make it 2-1.
However, two minutes later it was Éanna O’KEEFFE who netted for Thomastown to bring the sides level once more.
The Passage West net minder Jake Walsh pulled off a magnificent save to deny the industrious Isaac Magnez just before the hour mark as well as Grennan having a goal chalked off for an infringement on Walsh a few minutes later. The frenzied encounter continued with Grennan College working hard to keep pace with the Passage assault.
Super sub Darragh McCARTHY was on the pitch less than ten minutes when he converted for St. Peter’s to make it 3-2 with 67 minutes registered. He chested the ball down and controlled brilliantly to slot home at the far post.
Yet again, Grennan pulled it back three minutes on when Colm TREACY converted from the penalty spot to tie them at three apiece with twenty minutes remaining.
It was energy sapping levels at this stage of the contest.
St. Peter’s had an opportunity to close off the match four minutes from time as Seán Coughlan played a lovely one two with Ryan Dalton only for the latter to see his shot scurry agonisingly across the face of goal.
The game ended 3-3 with extra time looming.
The excited crowd that gathered in the Tipperary venue, got value for money with another four exquisite goals inside twenty minutes. A testament to the players outperforming each other at every possible manoeuvre.
Passage West maestro Tomas HANLON headed home from a Hugo Recio corner seven minutes in.
However, Grennan College equalised just before the break from an incredible Seán DENIEFFE looping header to the top bin.
There was no separating the sides as it was 4-4 at half time in extra time!
Thomastown stalwart Éanna O’KEEFFE netted his second of the afternoon within a minute of the restart to make to it 5-4 to Grennan College.
Cork’s Liam QUINN popped up to level proceedings, 5-5 three minutes from time as the St. Peter’s supporters erupted in celebration.
One of the best Cup Finals in the history of the Association was witnessed in Cahir.
The highly intense and entertaining fixture concluded with the teams tied. A penalty shootout would decide this season’s Cup Champions!
St. Peter’s saw Captain Brian Lenihan and Tomas Hanlon duly converting while Seán Denieffe did similar for Grennan, however, the Thomastown second spot kick smashed off the post much to the frustration of Captain Tyler Nolan.
Liam Quinn converted the third kick for Cork while Éanna O’Keeffe did likewise for the Kilkenny side.
Alex Begley saved Darragh McCarthy’s endeavour with Grennan’s fourth kick in-coming.
Darragh Dack made no mistake to make it 3-3 with four kicks apiece completed.
Tadgh McMahon and Grennan keeper Alex Begley both had successful attempts converted to ensure 4-4 after the five penalties.
Sudden death saw hero Begley save from Hugo Recio’s effort while Conor Kelly held his nerve to finish off well.
An historic game which ended by the narrowest of margins to see Grennan College lift a third title.
Their first came in 1997, when teacher Eleanor Reddy completed the task with son Michael playing a starring role that afternoon in Buckley Park.
Their second National title came for Denis Doyle’s side in 2018 when Colm Whelan was named Player of the Match as they overcame St. Brendan’s College, Belmullet in Lecarrow.
A third title for Grennan, and Doyle’s career second as he was accompanied by Edward Hayden in yesterday’s heroic victory of the John Murphy Cup series.
GRENNAN COLLEGE, THOMASTOWN | Alex Begley, Conor Kelly, Seán Denieffe, Tyler Nolan ©, Tadhg McMahon, Conor Monks, Colm Treacy, Alex Muniz Canal, Éanna O’Keeffe, Isaac Magnez, Darragh Dack
SUBS USED | Odhran McGorry for Treacy (78), Cian Caulfield for Monks (110+2)
SUBS NOT USED | John Clifford, Daniel Begley, Adam Barden, Fionn Minogue, Jason Keane
EXTENDED SQUAD | Khaled Haddad, Rodriog Aguilar Ramirez, Alrick Rodrigues
TEACHER | Denis Doyle & Edward Hayden
ST. PETER’S COMMUNITY SCHOOL, PASSAGE WEST | Jake Walsh, James Barry, Golding Nduwuba, Tomás Hanlon, Scott Moynihan, Brian Linehan ©, Liam Quinn, Hugo Recio, Jamie Nduwuba, Ryan Dalton, Seán Coughlan
SUBS USED | Darragh McCarthy for Barry (58)
SUBS NOT USED | Diarmuid Buckley, Ciaran Taffe, Zac O’Hanlon O’Brien, Oisin O’Sullivan, Rafael Ortiz, Cian Lehane
EXTENDED SQUAD | Michael Kula, Paul Canty, Aston Doyle, John Deasy.
TEACHER | Joe O’Regan
MATCH OFFICIAL | Colin O’Gorman (Tipperary)
ROLL OF HONOUR
Year |
John Murphy Cup |
2024/25 |
Grennan College, Thomastown |
2023/24 |
St. Peter’s Community School, Passage West |
2022/23 |
Gaelcholáiste na Mara, Arklow |
2021/22 |
Coláiste Mhuire, Cabra |
2020/21 |
COVID-19 |
2019/20 |
Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair, Dun na nGall |
2018/19 |
St. Joseph's Secondary School, Foxford |
2017/18 |
Grennan College, Thomastown |
2016/17 |
Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair, Dun na nGall |
2015/16 |
Our Lady's Secondary School, Belmullet |
2014/15 |
St. Peter's Community School, Passage West |
2013/14 |
Balla Secondary School, Mayo |
2012/13 |
Nagle Community College, Cork |
2011/12 |
St. Kevin's Community College, Clondalkin |
2010/11 |
Nagle Community College, Cork |
2009/10 |
Coláiste de hÍde, Tallaght |
2008/09 |
Jobstown Community College, Tallaght |
2007/08 |
Patrician College, Finglas, Dublin |
2006/07 |
St. Kilian's DSD, Clonskeagh, Dublin |
2005/06 |
Colaiste Choilmcille, Indreabhan |
2004/05 |
Our Lady's Secondary School, Belmullet |
2003/04 |
Glenamaddy Community School, Galway |
2002/03 |
Scoil Airgeal, Ballyhale |
2001/02 |
Mountbellew Vocational School, Galway |
2000/01 |
Scoil Airgeal, Ballyhale |
1999/00 |
Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair |
1998/99 |
Kilmuckridge Vocation School, Wexford |
1997/98 |
Our Lady’s Secondary School, Belmullet |
1996/97 |
Grennan College, Thomastown |
1995/96 |
Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair |