DEELE COLLEGE ARE back in the final of the Bank of Ireland FAI Schools Tom Ticher Ulster Junior (U-17) Cup after they defeated Patrician High School in this afternoon’s semi-final.
Deele College, Raphoe 3 Patrician High School, Carrickmacross 1
Justin McGee’s brace and a brilliant third by Alex Carolan fired Enda McHugh’s men into the final, where they will meet the winners of Wednesday’s second semi between St Eunan’s College and Loreto Community School, Milford.
Last March, Deele were rocked to the core when, in the final at Triagh-A-Locha, Sean McBride netted a dramatic winner for St Columba’s College, Stranorlar a minute from the end of extra time.
Alex Carolan, a Northern Ireland Schools International, is one of the survivors from last year’s vanquished and his goal put the tin hat on this semi-final at the Omagh Leisure Complex.
Eight minutes from the end, and with Patrician having been given a lifeline thanks to Dean Connolly’s goal, Carolan wrapped up the win.
After siezing possession, Carolan let fly from 25 yards and while Eoin Muldoon, the Patrician goalkeeper, got a hand to it, he was powerless to prevent it from nestling in the net.
McGee gave Deele the lead when he latched onto Carolan’s deliver, following some neat work by Dylan Brolly, and converted from close rang.
Deele were comfortable, but weren’t able to add to their lead by half-time.
However, McGee doubled his tally and the Deele lead. Having been denied by a strong save by Muldoon moments earlier, the Carrigans man cut in from the left after powering onto a ball over the top and his lob was exquisite, giving the ‘keeper no chance.
Two minutes later, it was game on when Connolly soared high to head home from Shaun Burns’ free kick.
McGee was denied by Muldoon when he broke free, while a wonderful finger-tipped save prevented Carolan from scoring. Muldoon turned onto the crossbar from a stinging effort.
Kenan Gibson, in the Deele goal, had to be alert to thwart Burns and Shane Clarke, while Daniel Egan had a go only for Gibson to hold firm as Patrician – managed by Letterkenny man John Kerr – went in search of a way back.
When Carolan struck Deele’s third, they were on their way to the final.
Deele College, Raphoe: Kenan Gibson; Ryan Higgins, Bryan McNamee, Keelan Kelly, Daniel Lindsay; Zak Brolly, Justin McGee, Cody Brogan, Dylan Brolly; Jordan Boyce, Alex Carolan. Subs used: Ethan Coll, DJ Kelly, Jack Duffy, Jack O’Donnell.
Patrician High School, Carrickmacross: Eoin Muldoon; Oran Martin, Dean Connolly, Liam Murray, Daniel Egan; Lorcan Monaghan, Tiarnan McCourt, Ciaran McNulty, Shane Clarke; Edward Walsh, Shaun Burns. Subs used: Jack Gillick, John McCullagh, Dylan Ward, Harry Monaghan.
Referee: Pat Chester.
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