PS Chorca Dhuibhne 2-20
St Patrick’s Maghera 4-13
(after extra-time)
Jason O’Connor reports from Hawkfield
EAMON FITZMAURICE ONCE again managed to get the better of St Pats Maghera in an All-Ireland Schools Final as Pobalscoil Corcha Dhuibhne won today’s Paul McGirr Cup Final over the Derry side three years after the Kerry outfit had beaten them in a Hogan Cup Final.
An enthralling and absorbing encounter came down to one moment of composure from Pobalscoil Corcha Dhuibhne’s Aodhán Ó Dubháin as he fisted over the winning score near the 80th minute as a replay looked certain between the sides.
The game had everything you could ask for in terms of excitement, heart and determination from both sides but St Pats will feel they should have won with some of the chances they left after them in the first-half.
They led by 2-4 to 1-4 but could have easily had another two goals as full-forward Alex Doherty was prolific again in registering a total of 3-4 on the day.
When Eunan Mullholland scored Maghera’s third goal in the 40th minute, it looked like they would push on for the win only for Corcha Dhuibhne to respond instantly through a goal from Dylan Ó Géibheannaigh.
Extra-time was needed after the full-time score was 2-13 to 3-10. The Kerry side scored all five points in the first period of extra-time but were made to sweat after Doherty scored his third goal from the penalty spot early in the second period.
There didn’t deserve to be a loser in truth but when Doherty’s final point levelled matters, Ó Dubháin ensured that there would be a winner on a day Ruaidhrí Ó Beaglaoich kicked 10 points for the victors, and both Colin and Colm Ó Muircheartaigh and Cillian Ó Failbhe stood out in Fitzmaurice’s side’s win.
Scorers for Pobalscoil Corcha Dhuibhne: R Ó Beaglaoich (0-10, 5f), C Ó Failbhe (1-2), D Ó Géibheannaigh (1-0), F Sauerland and A Ó Dubháin (0-2 each), S Ó Conchúir (f), D Uosis, C Ó Beaglaoich and S Ághas (0-1 each)
Scorers for St Pats Maghera: A O’Doherty (3-4, 1p, 2f), S Kearney (0-4, 4f), E Mulholland (1-0), JP McGuigan (0-2), C McGuckin, C McShane and P Shivers (0-1 each)
Pobalscoil Corcha Dhuibhne:
1. Eoin Ó Brosnacháin (Daingean Uí Chúis)
2. Conchúir Ó Flannúra (Daingean Uí Chúis)
3. Seán Óg Ó Móráin (Daingean Uí Chúis)
4. Colin Ó Muircheartaigh (Daingean Uí Chúis)
5. Colm Ó Muircheartaigh (Abha na Scáil)
6. Gearóid Ó Leidhinn (Abha na Scáil)
7. Pádraig Ó Cathalláin (An Gaeltacht)
8. Franz Sauerland (An Gaeltacht)
9. Séamus Ághas (Abha na Scáil)
10. Aodhán Ó Dubháin (An Gaeltacht)
11. Cillian Ó Failbhe (Abha na Scáil)
12. Deividas Uosis (Daingean Ui Chúis)
13. Steven Ó Conchúir (An Gaeltacht)
20. Dylan Ó Géibheannaigh (Daingean Uí Chúis)
15. Ruaidhrí Ó Beaglaoich (An Gaeltacht)
Subs:
Bréanainn Ó Bruic (An Gaeltacht) for Ó Dubháin (21)
Criostóir Ó Catháin (Daingean Uí Chúis) for Ó Conchúir (HT)
Cathal Ó Beaglaoich (An Gaeltacht) for Ághas (49)
Oscar Dáibhis (An Gaeltacht) for Ó Catháin (BC, 54)
Seamus Ághas (Abha na Scáil) for Ó Bruic (ET)
A Ó Dubháin (An Gaeltacht) for Ó Failbhe (66)
St Patricks Maghera
1. Caolan Convery (Glen)
2. Conlan Milne (Bellaghy)
3. Shea Murray (Drumsurn)
4. Seán Turner (Bellaghy)
22. PJ McAleese (Kilrea)
6. Cathair Glass (Glen)
7. Eunan Mulholland (Glen)
8. Conleth McShane (Bellaghy)
9. Pat Shivers (Cargin)
10. Ethan Doherty (Glen)
11. JP McGuigan (Swatragh)
12. Daithí McLaughlin (Kilrea)
13. Conleth McGuckin (Glen)
14. Alex Doherty (Glen)
15. Enda Downey (Lavey)
Subs:
Séamus McKenna (Glen) for McGuigan (40)
Sean Kearney (Swatragh) for McGuckin (40)
Oisín Doherty (Portglenoe) for Glass (48)
Cahan O’Neill (Dungiven) for Mulholland (68)
Referee: John Hickey (Carlow)