St: Mary’s Diocesan School, Drogheda 2/0 Presentation College, Headford
Craig Geoghegan (19), Eoin Smyth (44)
St Mary’s of Drogheda secured the silverware with a goal in each half in a windswept Flancare Park, Longford today: The joyous occasion was one to savour for goal scorers Craig Geoghegan and Eoin Smyth as they ran out comfortable winners on the day:
Gerry Spain had his side well prepared for the big occasion as he took on Ger Farragher’s charges from Presentation College, Headford:
Drogheda were in outstanding form leading up to this important fixture having put four past St: Eunan’s College, Letterkenny in their All Ireland Semi Final: Headford on the other hand had a tougher test with the School lucky to advance on a 4/3 score line against a determined Charleville CBS:
The Leinster Champions had a great record in this Cup competition with seven competitive fixtures played enroute to the final: Even more impressive was the team’s goal scoring ability with 24 goals scored and only 2 conceded: Anthony Burke was claiming the title of top goal scorer closely followed by the absent Michael Noone and John Horan: Craig Geoghegan came to prominence in the latter stages with an all important goal in their Leinster Final victory over Chanel College and two in their Semi Final victory over their Ulster opposition:
Not to be outshone on this remarkable occasion for the School, the Connacht Champions were equally inspiring as they progressed to All Ireland Final level: Headford played 6 gruelling matches with 22 goals scored and 9 conceded: Striker Aidan O’Sullivan’s goal tally came to 12 with two hat tricks at the quarter and semi final stages: Mark Gibbons, Conor King, Alan Meenaghan and Joe Kerin also registered for the Galway School to advance:
Presentation College were well up for the game with over 400 supporters travelling from Headford for the game: The atmosphere was electric as the game got underway:
The Galway contingency enjoyed the early exchanges and were very unlucky when Shane Hennelly’s header on goal was disallowed much to the annoyance of their fan base: Further efforts from Michael Day and Aidan O’Sullivan went foul of the mark:
St: Mary’s dug in and found some momentum: A throw in from the left courtesy of Eoghan O’Shea found Craig Geoghegan in space and he made sure of the target as St: Mary’s took the lead against the run of play with 19 minutes gone:
Headford responded almost immediately with a good passage of play which saw Steven Conroy and Eoghan Kerin fed namesake Joe Kerin in the box: Kerin unfortunately slipped at the crucial moment and couldn’t connect properly to do any damage in front of goal:
Sean Dunne was busy between the posts for St: Mary’s after an effort from Stephen Moylan from a set piece and Mark Gibbons from distance but the keeper was showing plenty of confidence when called upon to deliver:
Eoin Smyth saw his half volley curl over the bar on 25 minutes while at the other end Aidan O’Sullivan screwed his shot wide of the post three minutes later:
St: Mary’s led 1/0 at the half time interval:
The game was brought to life shortly after the restart as Craig Geoghegan advanced on goal, he was well marked by Kevin Fox and could only toe poke the ball back to Stephen Watters in the box:
Watters was invaded with defenders and did extremely well to pull the ball back to the on running Eoin Smyth who had time to set himself up for a shot at distance: The youngster’s effort was hit at blistering pace from twenty yards which saw the ball fly past the diving Nugent in goal leaving him no chance: 2/0 with four minutes played in the second half:
Steven Conroy had an attempt on goal blocked with Shane Hennelly redirecting the rebound but the ball skidded past the right post for the Headford lads:
Again Headford progressed, Eoghan Kerin’s shot on goal was drilled past the post on the hour mark:
While goal scorer Eoin Smyth missed a glorious chance to register his second of the afternoon but brave goalkeeping from Shane Nugent saw the net stopper fist the ball away to safety:
Nice footwork from Anthony Burke saw him back flick the ball to Eoin Smyth but his gliding effort hit the woodwork and over the bar four minutes later:
The imposing Aidan O’Sullivan had a real opportunity to bring the game to Drogheda as he was one on one with Sean Dunne in goal: He mistimed the strike on goal and his tame effort flew over the bar much to his frustration:
In the dying minutes of the game Headford threw men forward in search of two quick goals but St: Mary’s held on to claim an epic victory for the Drogheda School:
St: Mary’s Diocesan School: Sean Dunne, Eoghan O’Shea, Luke Marron, Steven McDonnell (Capt), David McQuillan, Stephen Watters, Craig Geoghegan, John Horan, Anthony Burke, Eoin Smyth, Shane Ryan
Subs: Jamie McCormack for Shane Ryan (62), Gary Keogh, Andrew Smith, Greg Hurley for Craig Geoghegan (70), Roy Kierans
Teachers: Gerry Spain & Ray Nolan
Presentation College: Shane Nugent, Sean Burke, Shane Hennelly, Stephen Moylan, Kevin Fox (Capt), Joe Kerin, Steven Conroy, Eoghan Kerin, Michael Day, Mark Gibbons, Aidan O’Sullivan
Subs: Conor King for Joe Kerin (51), Alan Meenaghan for Mark Gibbons (65), Cillian Bohan, Ross Mellette, Dylan Fallon, James Walsh, Keith Greaney, Colin Hoverty, Robert Biggins, Kevin Canavan
Teacher: Ger Farragher: Assistants: Pakie Killilea, Danny King
Referee: Paul Tone (Midlands)