Tuesday, February 20, 2024
The Donegal FAI Schools Letterkenny Cup Finals took place at Letterkenny Community Centre recently.
A total of 20 schools entered this year's expanded competition, which catered for small, medium and large schools.
- SN an Choimín’s girls enjoy their big win -
The girls of SN an Choimín and Scoil Mhuire Ramelton competed in the small / medium school section final. Both teams' progression to this year's final was impressive and the final didn't disappoint.
An early Scoil Mhuire goal from the impressive Ava Greer, gave the Lennonsiders the lead. On 18 minutes, indecision in the Ramelton defence allowed Player of the Match, Sinéad NicMeanman, to equalise.
The second half was a cagey affair with defences very much on top. It was SN an Choimín's Sinéad Nic Meanman who got the vital goal midway through the second half to clinch victory for the An Ghaeltacht Láir girls.
Barry Tourish, match referee, presented SN an Choimín's Sinéad Nic Meanman with the Player of the Match award and Ellen Nic Giolla Choill raised the LK Cup 2024 aloft with delight.
- St. Mary’s Stranorlar celebrate their first LK Cup win -
Gaelscoil Adhamhnáin and St. Mary’s Stranorlar met in the girls’ large schools’ final earlier this week. Nerves were evident in the opening exchanges with numerous turnovers on both sides.
Eve Nic Giolla Bháin opened the scoring for the Gaelscoil girls on 13 minutes, after darting through the St. Mary’s backline, to slot to the back of the net.
St. Mary’s girls rallied and finished the half much stronger with Kate McMenamin, Rebecca Gallen and Lily Floyd’s influence on the match coming very much to the fore. St. Mary’s equaliser came shortly before half-time. A poor clearance from the Gaelscoil defence was punished with a calmly taken goal from Lucy McCormack.
McCormack’s goal was clearly the tonic that the Stranorlar girls needed as their second half performance was excellent.
Further goals from Caoimhe Sleigh, Kate McMenamin, and Ella Donnelly cemented St. Mary’s Stranorlar’s first ever LK Cup victory, much to the joy of their large support in attendance.
The Gaelscoil girls to their credit stuck to their task to the last minute and were worthy runners-up of this year’s competition.
However, the day belonged to the St. Mary’s girls. Their performances throughout the competition was very impressive and they thoroughly deserved their first ever cup success in the competition.
Liam O’Donnell of LK Community Centre praised both teams for their efforts and presented the Player of the Match award to the industrious midfielder, Kate McMenamin, and the LK Cup to the St. Mary’s captain.
- The Boys from St. Eunan’s Raphoe secure 2-in-a-row -
St. Eunan’s of Raphoe captured the LK Cup 2024, which was played at the LK Community Centre earlier this month. Their 4-2 win over a determined Scoil Mhuire, Milford gave the East Donegal school their second LK Cup success in a row.
St. Eunan’s Raphoe’s first half goals from Lewis Quinn and Jayden Laird gave them the platform for their Cup success. Player of the Match, Jake Morgan’s two excellently taken free kicks for Scoil Mhuire ensured that the match was in the melting pot entering the final ten minutes.
Two late goals from Lewis Quinn and team Captain, Jayme Lafferty, gave St. Eunan’s Raphoe the victory.
Match referee Dessie McLaughlin presented Raphoe’s Jayme Lafferty with the LK Cup and the celebrations began.
- Gaelscoil Adhamhnáin’s 3-1 win overcomes SN Fiachra Illistrin -
The boys of Gaelscoil Adhamhnáin and SN Fiachra Illistrin played out an entertaining final before the mid-term break. Both sides entered the final having had two tough encounters in the semi finals, with Gaelscoil overcoming St. Patrick’s NS Lurgybrack by 2-0 and SN Fiachra Illistrin’s extra time 4-3 win over Glenswilly NS.
SN Fiachra bossed the opening exchanges and worked tirelessly, pressing the Gaelscoil rearguard, which stood tall to the onslaught of pressure. Ethan Buchannon and right winger, Joshua Ogunrinade troubled the Gaelscoil defence with their attacking flair.
Ethan Buchannon, who had scored all four goals in the semi final win over Glenswilly NS, thought he had given the Illstrin boys the lead mid-way through the first half, however a point blank save from Iarlaith Ó Caomhánach in the Gaelscoil nets denied the tall Illistrin midfielder.
The Gaelscoil found it difficult to break down the Illistrin back four, which was led by Rory McGettigan.
The second half saw both teams settle and play the ball with more purpose. A long pass from Gaelscoil’s centre back, Kyle Mac Giolla Chearra, found Callum Ó Cathlain in the SN Fiachra box, and the Gaelscoil’s centre forward toe poked the ball beyond the Illistrin netminder.
Illistrin fought back and were duly awarded a penalty mid-way through the second half. Ethan Buchannon stepped up and confidently found the back of the net.
Gaelscoil edged ahead again on 48 minutes with a well taken goal from Noah Ó Suilleabháin from the edge of the box. The goal of the match came on 55 minutes from Gaelscoil’s Captain, Conn Ó Baoill. An Illistrin NS clearance from a corner was met by Ó Baoill who half-volleyed to the back of the net from an acute angle to secure the win.
Match referee, Kyran Glennon, presented the player of the match award to the Gaelscoil’s centre forward Callum Ó Cathlain and presented the LK Cup to the Galescoil’s captain, Conn Ó’Baoil.
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