Sam Todd was the hero of the hour as Carndonagh Community School edged St Eunan’s College in the Bank of Ireland FAI Schools Senior Ulster Cup final.
Carndonagh Community School 1 St Eunan’s College, Letterkenny 0
Derry City defender Todd struck with just seven minutes to go at The Lakeside as Carn pipped Eunan’s to the silverware.
The goal arrived just when it seemed as if extra-time would be needed to separate the sides.
Fionn McClure retrieved a loose ball when a corner wasn’t cleared and squared for the waiting Todd to smash past Matthew Gallagher, the St Eunan’s goalkeeper.
The goal came just after a fine covering tackling by Darragh Ellison had denied Oisin Hession in the box after Farren’s threaded pass put him clear.
Farren twice came close with free kicks early in the second half, firing just wide with the first and seeing a second deflect back out again.
Todd headed over from a Farren corner, before Eunan’s had a big chance to take the lead.
Dylan McCrory’s superb through ball put Shane Doherty in. Doherty pulled back into the path of the in-rushing Michael Gallagher, but Daniel Houghton brilliantly saved with his feet.
Gallagher in the Eunan’s goal had to be at his best to deny Fionn McClure, who connected with Darragh Deery’s low cross, Gallagher wonderfully flinging himself down to make the save.
Houghton was on hand to save again from Doherty, who got on the end of a teasing Darragh Ellison free-kick with the clock ticking rapidly.
Ellison forced Houghton into a save from another deadball as Carndonagh took the spoils.
Eunan’s had played early with a strong wind at their back, but their first attempt was a long-range effort by Dylan McCroary, who saw Houghton tip over with the tips of his fingers.
That came after his twin, Evan, made a super block tackle to keep Darragh Deery at bay.
Ellison was inches from touching home a Conor O’Donnell free while Dylan McCroary shot wide as the opening half ended scoreless.
The stalemate seemed inevitable, but Todd pounced late in the day to add another Ulster title, a week on from the school’s senior girls also scooped an Ulster crown.
St Eunan’s College, Letterkenny: Matthew Gallagher, Eoghan Kelly, Darragh Ellison, Evan McCroary, Shane Blaney, Michael Gallagher, Conor O’Donnell, Shane Doherty, Dylan McCroary, Jordan Ryan.
Carndonagh Community School: Daniel Houghton, James McKinney, Lee McLaughlin, Sam Todd, Tiernan Devine, Evan Tweed, Kieran Farren, Mickey Friel, Darragh Deery, Cathal Farren, Fionn McClure.
Referee: Vincent McLoughlin.
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