Deele College, Raphoe were crowned 2025 FAI Schools Minor Boys National Cup Champions following their stylish display against newcomers Gaelcholáiste Mhuire AG, Corcaigh in a sun-kissed Athlone Town AFC on Wednesday.
It was a top class performance from the entire Raphoe squad but especially the talented Odhran McHugh who bagged all four goals for the Donegal outfit.
Also of note, was the impressive performance from Cork netminder Scott Ó Tuama who deputised for the injured Dara Ó Conchuir.
Despite the scoreline the number one kept his side in the game throughout the contest with some superb stops. Normally a defender, Ó Tuama was equally as competent between the posts. He had to be alert to deny the quartet of Kee, Quinn, McHugh and O’Donnell in the opening exchanges.
Lorcan Ó Laoghóg’s side had a brilliant opportunity to take the lead with Lee Ó Cochláin’s inch perfect set-piece 25 yards out that cracked off the crossbar after 11 minutes.
Although Raphoe were carving out more goal scoring opportunities early on, it was Gaelcholáiste Mhuire who took the lead with a piledriver from Cian Ó Ricín at the edge of the box to smash past McCarron and into the top corner with 17 minutes on the clock.
Odhran McHugh gets the match ball.
Moments later the imposing Ronan McGranaghan came agonisingly close to equalising for Deele but his strike hit the side netting.
With just two minutes of the first half remaining, Odhran McHugh finally got the better of Ó Tuama with a fantastic low drive to the bottom corner. It was all square, one apiece, at the break.
McHugh netted his second of the afternoon seven minutes into the restart while his incredible hat-trick was completed six minutes later leaving the Cork side with an uphill battle on their hands.
McHugh’s fourth came on 52 minutes to ensure Deele controlled the remaining minutes of the Cup tie.
Odhran Kee could have added to their goal tally but his rocket smashed off the woodwork following an audacious run through the Cork defence late on.
A well-deserved National Cup title for the Deele College crew. Not surprising as some of those players have already picked up National Cup success with their primary school back in 2023.
St. Eunan’s National School, Raphoe were crowned National ‘B’ Cup winners in the medium schools section in the Aviva Stadium as Evan McCarron, Ben Farrell, Odhran Kee, Ronan McGranaghan, Odhran McHugh and Tiernan Kelly all starred that day.
Ronan McGranaghan made it extra special when he was named Player of the Tournament in the ‘B’ Cup section, topping off an unforgettable experience. While in 2023, the same school debuted in the Dublin venue in the same section coming fourth. Jayme Lafferty and Lewis Quinn featuring for St. Eunan’s NS that afternoon.
A wonderful player pathway opportunity that has tracked their success from primary to post primary level thus far.
No doubt these players will experience more silverware with Deele in the years to come.
DEELE COLLEGE, RAPHOE | Evan McCarron, Ben Farrell, Ronan Tinney, Luke O’Donnel ©, Senan Kavanagh ©, Josh O’Donnell, Ronan McGranaghan, Odhran Kee, Odhran McHugh, Jayme Lafferty, Lewis Quinn
SUBS (ROLL ON/OFF) | Cody Hannigan, Ashton Crossan, Caval McCafferky, Jake McMenamin, Tommy McNamee, Tiernan Kelly, Danny McCarron
EXTENDED SQUAD | Kayden Brown, Cillian Gillespie, Michael Ajayi, Noah McDaid
MANAGEMENT | Peadar Mogan, Byran Curran, Joel Bradley Walsh, Ryan Lynch, Conor Callaghan, Jude Dolan
GAELCHOLÁISTE MHUIRE AG, CORCAIGH | Scott Ó Tuama, Craig Ó Suilleabháin ©, Cody Ó Meachair, Jamie Daltúin, Jamie Ó Meachair, Seán Ó Croidheán, Lee Ó Cochláin, Jamie Ó Murnáin, Cian Ó Ricín, Alex Ó Maoldomhnaigh, Eoin Ó hÓgáin
SUBS (ROLL ON/OFF) | Jamie Ó Donnabháin, Callum Ó Healaithe, CJ Ó Crualaíoch, Evan MacInneirí, Kyle MacCárthaigh Dara Ó Conchuir
MANAGEMENT | Lorcan Ó Laoghóg, Donnacha Dalton, Shay Ó Buachalla Ó Néill, Scott de Híde
MATCH OFFICIAL | Damien Conlon (Westmeath)
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