A LATE GOAL was enough for seal a dramatic progression to the last four for St Eunan’s College in the Ulster U-13½ Colmcille Cup.
St Eunan’s College 3-7 St Pat’s, Keady 3-6 (after extra-time)
The quarter-final against St Pat’s Keady, Armagh, was played in difficult windy and wet conditions in Garvaghey, Tyrone Centre of Excelence, but produced some great football in a very tight sporting encounter.
In the first half St Pat’s, playing with the strong wind, only scored 0-4 to St Eunan’s 1-1 and great credit to must go to Matthew Whoriskey for some great saves to deny the fast-roving forward line of St Pat’s.
Oran Brogan and Sean Collum were in control in defence and with the inspiring play of Jack Gallagher as centre-back the Letterkenny team were able to hold St Pat’s at bay.
In the second half with the elements in favour of St Eunan’s, they should have been in control. However, at the beginning of the second half St Eunan’s were rocked back in the second and fourth minutes conceding two early goals and this stage the Armagh boys were in control.
Photo caption: Callum Friel, the captain of St Eunan’s College, referee Sean McCartan and Oisin Tolan, captain of St. Patrick’s, Keady.
Callum Friel scored a point to make it 1-2 to 2-4 but but more points from St. Pat’s gave them a comfortable lead of 2-6 to 1-2 with 14 minutes to go.
Armagh were now very much now in defensive mode and difficult to break down. Jack Roarty and Noel O’ Donnell led the charge and the young boys from Sentry Hill dug deep and slowly edged their way back into match and with points by Jack Alcorn, Jack Roarty and Shane Monaghan.
After 28 minutes there was still four points in it but a goal by Seimi Breslin from St Eunan’s after a flick by Calvin Aidoo set up a grandstand finish.
St Eunan’s forward Keelan Collier scored a great equaliser from 30 yards after a patient build up to seal a dramatic comeback, 2-5 to 2-5.
In extra time Shane Monaghan scored an early goal for St Eunan’s but St Pat’s rallied and a great goal by Oisin Grimley squared the match.
St Eunan’s went ahead as Sean McVeigh broke through a number of tackles on the left side to fire home the winning point. St Eunan’s College now play St. Columb’s Derry in the semi-final next week.
Michael Murphy Man of the Match Award: Shane Monaghan
St Eunan’s College Team: Matthew Whoriskey, Sean Collum, Oran Brogan, Cian Mc Monagle, Conor Hughes, Jack Gallagher, Conal Mc Dermott, Jack Roarty, Noel O’ Donnell, Adam Duncan, Seimi Breslin, Jack Alcorn, Emmet O’ Boyle, Callum Friel, Shane Monaghan, Ben Gallagher, Sean Marsh, Calvin Adoo, Joshua Hay, Adam Callaghan, Ronan Coady, Donnacha Devenney, Conor Cassidy, Peadar Mc Geehan, Keelan Collier, Sean Mc Veigh, Killian Gribben.
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