A storming third quarter on a stormy morning brought glory to Coláiste Ailigh in this morning’s Donegal Senior B Schools final in Burt.
Coláiste Ailigh 2-8 Moville Community College 1-5
Coláiste Ailigh trailed 0-5 to 1-1 at half-time, but it always seemed as if a slender one-point lead wouldn’t be enough for Moville CC.
Sure enough, the scales tipped in Coláiste Ailigh’s favour not long after the re-start and they soon had the game by the scruff of the neck.
A well-taken Oisin Mac Gairbheith goal in the 14thminute had kept John Bosco Gallagher’s Coláiste Ailigh in touch.
And they bagged a second goal six minutes after half-time as Mac Gaoithin rose to fist home his second of the day, steering in from Iarlath Mac Fhionnghaile’s delivery.
Moville had been dealt a blow as Evan Craig was red carded for a foul on Micheal O Treartaigh.
Moville Community College
Sean O Riain and Oisin Mac Gairbheith (free)had moved Coláiste Ailigh ahead for the first time in the game before the second goal for the Letterkenny scholars.
Tomas O Crosain landed a beauty from the right-hand side and they added two in a minute to open up a seven-point lead, as Mac Gairbheith and Mac Fhionnghaile struck.
Mac Fhionnghaile’s free and a Diarmuid O Cathail score had Coláiste Ailigh’s name on the Cup with a goal in a late scramble from Moville substitute Drew McKinney their only score of the second half.
Mac Fhionnghaile and Rory Hirrell were both sent off in the dying moments.
From the moment Mac Gairbheith riffled to the net, past Paul Doherty, it felt a significant strike in the tie. Mac Gairbheith drilled home after a superb fetch and off-load by Mac Gaoithin.
Minutes earlier, Mac Gairbheith had been denied by a brilliant save from Doherty.
Josh Conlon steered over four points and Ronan Hoy landed an excellent effort, but a slender lead was never going to be enough in those conditions.
Coláiste Ailigh:Sean O Duibheannaigh; Micheal O Conchubhair, Ross O Meathaille, Peadar O Duibheannaigh; Ruairi Mac Fionntai, Donall O Uiginn, Liam O hAnnagain; Sean O Braoin, Oisin Mac Gairbheith; Tomas O Crosain, Iarlath Mac Fhionnghaile, Diarmuid O Cathail; Sean O Riain, Ronan Mac Gaoithin, Micheal O Treartaigh. Sub:Tony O Gallchoir for O Braoin (47).
Moville Community College:Paul Doherty; Shane Grant, Markuss Braksis, Joe Harley; Rory Hirrell, Ronan Hoy, Dylan McCallion; Eoin O’Doherty, Aodhan Ferns; Evan Craig, Kevin Doherty, Niall Gallagher; Finn McLaughlin, Josh Conlon, Eoghan McLaughlin. Subs: Alan Clarke for Hoy (half-time), Ciaran McLaughlin for Harley (40), Drew McKinney for K.Doherty (40), Rhys Roberts for F.McLaughlin (50).
Referee:Martin McKinley (Naomh Colmcille).
