Wednesday, March 20, 2019
Carndonagh Community School 1-0 Midleton CBS
Jack Doherty (82)
Jack DOHERTY headed home the match winner eight minutes from time to ensure Martin Cavanagh’s crew a wonderful two in-a-row in Home Farm FC this afternoon against a gallant Midleton CBS.
This was the Donegal School’s third title in four years while Midleton CBS were experiencing their first outing at National Cup level.
Chris Melnyk’s side were coming into this contest as underdogs but their pedigree this season had been first class so they had nothing to fear as proceedings got underway.
Carndonagh enjoyed the better chances in the first forty five with Captain Kieran Farren, Mikey Friel and Luke Rudden craving out some great opportunities but Arthur Nganou was in superb form early on to deny the trio.
Matthew O’Reilly was unlucky on the quarter hour mark as he dragged the ball just wide of the keepers left post. As well as Joe Stack forcing O’Donnell into an exceptional save just before the break to ensure the stalemate.
It was playmaker Stack that tested the Carn keeper following the restart and again the athletic Padraig O’Donnell sprung into action to see the ball save from a brilliant free-kick 25 yards out.
The imposing Loic Nguefang had a few chances from distance but again O’Donnell did enough to clear the danger.
Mikey Friel and Luke Rudden combined well down the left flank for the latter to see his strike sail wide of the mark just after the hour mark.
It looked like extra time was on the cards as the contest surprisingly remained goalless.
However, it was the illustrious Jack Doherty that popped up at the end of a Mikey Friel cross to see his glancing header hit the bottom corner to deceive the hardworking Nganou between the posts.
Midleton through men forward at every opportunity and created half chances from Stack, O’Reilly and Nguefang but their attempts from distance couldn’t trouble the Carndonagh netminder as the Ulster stars held on for the slenderest of victories in a wonderful show piece.
Pearse McCarron saw his last gasp effort hit the post as three minutes of additional time was drawing to a close.
A masterful display from both teams in Whitehall with a solitary goal the only difference between the sides.
Carndonagh will enjoy this title win, with Captain Kieran Farren attributing their victory to the late Liam Monagle who sadly passed away last September. A teacher and past pupil of Carndonagh Community School who gave so much of his time to schools football over the years and will be fondly remembered for his endeavours.
CARNDONAGH COMMUNITY SCHOOL | Padraig O'Donnell, Lee McLaughlin, Dónal Doherty, Jake Harkin, Conor O'Donnell, Kieran Farren (Capt.), Mikey Friel, Jack Doherty, Luke Rudden, Corey McBride, Fionn McClure.
SUBS USED | Nathan Logue for D Doherty (57), Pearse McCarron for Rudden (85).
SUBS NOT USED | Jonathan Toye, Eoin McLaughlin, Michael Doran, Jack McLaughlin, Gavin McDaid, Alex McFadden, Daniel McCallion, Damien Duffy, Adam McLaughlin
TEACHER | Martin Cavanagh ASSISTANTS | Liam Mooney, Callum Harley, Paddy Doherty
MIDLETON CBS | Arthur Nganou (Capt.), Dylan O'Halloran, Max Ahern, Shane O'Riordan, Jamie Collins, Joe Stack, Neil Cunningham, Fionn Duggan, Loic Nguefang, Matthew O'Reilly, Charlie Whalley.
SUB USED | Jamie O'Hanlon for Cunningham (80).
SUBS NOT USED | Jack Fitzgerald, Adam Meade, Sam O’Reilly, Diarmuid Byrne, Robbie Kinane, Mark Daly, Matthew Cody, Griffin Hurley, Dylan O’Keefe, Eoghan Martin, Robbie Treacy, Jason Hankard, Jack Knowles, Quadri Aminu, Ciaran Evans, Seán Devaney, Christophe Riff, Shane Kelleher, Eoin Healy, Abdul Bakinson
TEACHERS | Christopher Melnyk, James Walsh, David Twomey
REFEREE | Derek Carey (Dublin)
