THREE GOALS IN THE space of four deadly second-half minutes fired Bonagee United to glory in this evening’s Donegal Schoolboys Under-14 Champions League final.
Bonagee United 5 Swilly Rovers 2
The tie was neatly poised after Jack Murphy’s strike, four minutes into the second half, had scratched out Matthew McLaughlin’s opener for Swilly when Bonagee seized charge of the final.
Before a big crowd at Leckview Park, Bonagee took control with a quick-fire treble that left Swilly shell-shocked.
The Dry Arch team hit the front on 57 minutes as right-back Ronan McKinley cracked a superb goal past Swilly goalkeeper Kyle Burns from the edge of the box.
[adrotate group=”37″]McKinley had plenty to do when Adam Murphy’s cross was only partially cleared, but he lit Leckiew up with a stunning strike that delightfully flew to the net.
Just two minutes later, the Murphy brothers combined for a third Bonagee goal, Jack’s cross from the left evading Finnian O’Donnell, but Adam Murphy swept into the far corner.
Swilly were rocked to the core, but Bonagee twisted the knife further still when O’Donnell – the hat-trick hero on Wednesday night in their semi-final second leg win over Letterkenny Rovers at this venue – rounded Burns to slot home.
[adrotate group=”43″]Swilly pulled one back when Kyle McMullan curled a free-kick over the wall and beyond Adrian McLaughlin.
That came after both teams were reduced to 10 men with Swilly’s Rory Pyper and Bonagee’s Jack Murphy shown straight red cards by referee Vincent McLoughlin.
Pyper had lead with his head and could have no complaints, although Murphy, who’d been the original victim, could count himself a little unfortunate to be given his marching orders.
Kelan Collier and McMullan exchanged chances at either end before Bonagee copper-fastened the win in the final minute as McKinley added his second of the game, tucking home after Adam Murphy’s shot was parried by Burns.
Swilly had taken the lead in the 17th minute when McLaughlin turned in at the near post after connecting to a cross from the lively Frankie Campbell, lively and effective throughout for Swilly.
Campbell ploughed an often-lonely furrow up top for Swilly, but was always a threat.
Bonagee United celebrate their win over Swilly Rovers. Picture by Stephen Doherty
That goal came slightly against the run of play, with Bonagee having had a couple of decent chances for Collier, who stabbed at Burns and then headed over the top while it took a superb tackle from Darragh McFadden to take the ball off the toe of Jack Murphy when he seemed set to open the scoring.
The second half was just four minutes old when Murphy levelled the tie in magnificent fashion. From the right edge of the penalty box, a gorgeous shot zipped to the net and it was game on.
[adrotate group=”46″]Swilly ‘keeper Burns did well to keep out a header by David Smith and Burns went one better in clawing away from McKinley before denying O’Donnell.
It was only a matter of time and Bonagee turned the screw with a trio of goals in the game’s defining moments to set up a famous victory.
Bonagee United: Adrian McLaughlin; Ronan McKinley, David Smith, Eoin Dowling, Josh McCullagh; Adam Murphy, Kieran Tobin, Dylan Woods, Kelan Collier; Jack Murphy, Finnian O’Donnell. Subs used: Ben Gallagher, Ciaran Gallagher.
Swilly Rovers: Kyle Burns; Mark Cannon, Kyle McMullan, Tony Gallagher, Darragh McFadden; Michael Murray, Oran Brogan, Rory Pyper, Matthew McLaughlin, Eoin Logue; Frankie Campbell. Subs used: Conor Doohan, Jack McAuley, Tyler Durning.
Referee: Vincent McLoughlin.
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