By Charlie Collins
All-Ireland Post-Primary Schools Football B Final
Abbey Vocational School 1-15 v 0-09 Ashbourne Community School
Having led by seven points and seemingly in control at half-time, Abbey Vocational School had to produce an impressive final quarter to overcome a battling Ashbourne Community which hit four points in a row at the start of the second-half to reduce Abbey’s half-time lead of seven down to just three.
The Donegal school went into this All Ireland Final as many people’s favorites, following a very impressive campaign which saw them won the McLarnon Cup in Ulster and comfortably beat Galway’s Dunmore CS in the All Ireland semi-final. Only St.Eunan’s College in 1979 and De La Salle Ballyshannon a year later had won this title so Abbey were attempting to bridge a big gap in terms of winning Donegal schools in this competition at St Tiernach’s Park in Clones in good playing conditions.
Conor Meehan for Abbey and Micheal O Sullivan for Ashbourne exchanged early points and Abbey then had two goal chances with keeper Aaron Lee denying Kevin Muldoon and then tipping Conor McCahill’s effort over the crossbar. Ashbourne replied with two quick points, O Sullivan getting one of those from play, 0-03 to 0-02 to them but Abbey responded impressively with three excellently points, two from Meehan including a super one from play, and a fine first score from Aaron McGrory 0-05 to 0-03 to Abbey after fifteen minutes.
After a short scoreless period Abbey hit a purple patch with five points points in a row, two from Kevin Muldoon and one each from Conor Meehan, Aaron McGrory and Turlough Carr to dominate and lead by 0-10 to 0-03 at half-time and in control it seems.
But maybe not, as Ashbourne hit their purple patch with four in a row, two from Micheal O Sullivan and one each from Dylan Kettle and Micheal McIvor to make it a three point game, 0-10 to 0-07, and concern for Abbey.
It took the Donegal lads until the twelfth minute to get their first score of the half, a free from Conor Meehan, his fifth point of the game and a four point lead. Meehan and O Sullivan exchanged points and then Senan Carr scored a cracker followed by a Conor McCahill score to make it 0-14 to 0-08 and Abbey back in charge.
Micheal O Sullivan added another point for Ashbourne but Abbey finished up in style with a super goal by Conor McCahill after a strong run and finish from 45metres out. Sub Daniel McIntyre rounded it all off with a final point to make it a final score of 1-15 to 0-09.
An excellent performance by the lads from Abbey Vocational School to bring the Paddy Drummond Cup back to Donegal for only the third time and first since 1980.
Abbey VS, Donegal Town: Conor McGinty, Terence McGovern, Leo McGowan, Donal Gallagher, Caolan Sweeney, Callum McCrea, David Monaghan, Tiarnan McBride, Kevin Muldoon (0-02), Turlough Carr (0-01), Seanán Carr (0-01), Oisin Mogan, Conor McCahill (1-02), Aaron McGrory (0-02), Conor Meehan (0-06).
Subs used: Jonathan O’Driscoll, Daniel McIntyre (0-01), Patrick Gormley.
