CARNDONAGH COMMUNITY SCHOOL have lost their last two Dr Tony O’Neill Cup finals.
The memories of 1974 and 2010 are far removed from the minds of the class of now as Martin Cavanagh’s team go in search of the prestigious Cup tomorrow afternoon at Home Farm FC.
They meet Presentation Brothers College from Cork in the final at the Whitehall venue (kick-off 2pm) and aim to become the first Inishowen school to take the silverware back to the peninsula.
“It was really only after they won the semi-final that the boys realised what this was,” Cavanagh says.
“Various people have come in, rang us and text us to wish us well. The people of the area are buzzing for it, but it is only since the semi that the boys have realised how big a deal it is.
“We’re looking forward to it. We have tried to downplay it with the lads, but that’s a little unfair too because we want them to embrace it and we want them to enjoy the All-Ireland final.”
A Cathal Farren double secured a late win over Loreto Milford in a game they only eked 2-1 having been dominant for long spells.
Picture caption: Carndonagh CS celebrate their Ulster final win over Loreto Milford.
In the semi-final, Keelan Doherty’s first half goal set them on their way before Christy Fildara’s second-half double gave them a 3-0 win over Arklow CBS.
“We dominated the Ulster final, but we were still kind of lucky enough to get a late winner – it was that kind of game,” Cavanagh says.
“We were deserving winners, but there was a worry there the longer that game went on. Last year, against Deele College, the balance of play was similar and we lost the game 2-1 on a day when we were the better side and boys would, could and should have scored.
“The Arklow game, the first 25 minutes or so were about both teams teasing each other out. Basically figuring out who could do what. We got the first goal and that settled us down. We were well deserving of the win after that.
“The second half of the Milford game is still probably as good as this team has ever played.”
Carn’s team is littered with experience with the likes of Fionn McClure, Evan Tweed, Sam Todd and Farren on the books of Derry City. The Candystripes have fluttered their eyelids at Fildara, too, but he’s concentrating on Glengad United for now – and has the small matter of an FAI Junior Cup quarter-final to look forward to on Sunday against Pike Rovers.
“While this is a great experience for them, no-one here has lost sight of the fact that the clubs put in the big work,” Cavanagh says.
“Here at the school, we just put them together. Our part in the overall picture is light and the clubs deserve great credit here.
“We are indebted to the clubs in terms of physical development and coaching, although we have put in big work here at the school every Friday and numbers has never been a problem.
“The boys deserve so much credit and they have bought into what we’ve been doing – the success so far has been reward for that.”
The Presentation Brothers side, under the care of Aiden Twomey, defeated Athenry 3-0 in their semi-final. Dutch-born Douwie Van Sinderen netted a double and David Grant O’Sullivan bagged the other.
O’Sullivan and David Dalton are with Cobh Ramblers and the Presentation Brothers side has plenty of quality.
“We know that we have a battle on our hands here – but we know, too, that we have enough quality to win,” Cavanagh says.
“We could be the first team from Inishowen to win this Cup – that in itself would be huge. They could be down in history.”
Tags:
