Coláiste Ailigh, Letterkenny won the Danske Bank O’Doherty seeing off a spirited challenge from Ballybay Community College in Garvaghey.
Coláiste Ailigh, Letterkenny 3-11 Ballybay CC 2-10
report via danskebankulsterschoolsgaa.com
It was a dramatic ending to a match that looked to be going away from them when Ballybay recovered from a 0-10 to 0-2 deficit at the break to draw level on 1-10 each with less than six minutes to go and a strong wind behind the Monaghan challenge.
However Eoin Mac Gaoithin took Letterkenny’s first point of the second half from a free in the 55th minute and that seemed to get them moving again up front.
They followed that score with a fine sweeping move on the end of which was Seán Mac an Ultaigh to stab the ball to the net. And right from the kick-out they attacked again and won a penalty that Mícheál Mac Suibhne fired to the net.
Not even a late goal from Padraig Hughes could save the Ballybay team who will wonder how the game got away from them so late on.
There won’t be too much in the way of celebration for Coláiste Ailigh as they are in action in the All Ireland semi-final against Munster champions Rathkeel at Abbotstown this Saturday.
Coláiste Ailigh: J Pond, T Ó Gallchóir, R Ó Mearthaile, R Ó Buaidhe, I Mac Fhionnghaile 0-1, O Mac Gairbheith, D Ó Uiginn 0-1, S Mac An Ultaigh, S Ó Braoin, R Mac Gaoithin 0-3, M Mac Suibhne 2-0, 1-0 pen, D Ó Cathail 0-1, S Ó Riain, C Mac Meanman 0-1, E Mac Gaoithin 1-3, 0-2 frees. Subs: P Ó Duibheannaigh for R Ó Mearhtaile (42)
