Carndonagh Claim Sligo Scalp

Carndonagh Claim Sligo Scalp
UMRBO FAI Schools Junior Boys All Ireland Semi Final

Summerhill College, Sligo 2-2 Carndonagh Community School (AET)
Carndonagh CS won 4-2 on penalties
Summerhill College came into this match having beaten a favoured St. Mary’s College 3-2 in their Connacht Final and previously outsmarted the outstanding St. Joseph’s College, Galway for a well deserved place in the National Semi Final. Brian Tivnan, team manager was meticulous in his preparation for the day’s game and this was evident from the start of proceedings.
Pat McGonagle’s men were worthy Ulster winners having beaten a powerful Milford outfit, Loreto CS but they found themselves under pressure when Sligo’s Michael Casey got on the ball with only minutes gone.

Casey was a lively character down the wing and his quality passing was cause for concern for Carndonagh. The youngster sent up numerous attacks including a couple of shots on goal which went agonising wide for the winger. Paddy Heraghty combined well with Casey on three minutes, but his final ball into the box didn’t have enough power to trouble keeper Martin McLaughlin.

Carndonagh seemed to settle into the game with 15 minutes gone. They enjoyed a spell of possession but couldn’t capitalise on this with any real threats on goal.

Summerhill on the other hand made light work of the Donegal defence and a brace of attacks were squandered. This period of play saw Niall McManus combine well with Paddy Heraghty but their advances on goal well spoiled by good defensive work from Conor Burke.

Sligo were awarded a free kick just on the half hour with Paul Lagan the supplier, finding the powerful head of Niall Murphy. His effort was saved on the goal mouth by the impressive McLaughlin.

Three minutes later saw Niall McManus miss a similar header on goal which dipped left and wide of the post.

The first half remained scoreless with Summerhill playing the better football.

McGonagle introduced Brendan McLaughlin early in the second half to boost the Carndonagh attack.

Niall McManus found space down the left and blasted the ball into the six yard box, his screamer was blocked bravely by Padraig Doherty.

Carndonagh’s Daniel McDaid saw his effort sail wide after good work from Seamus Doherty and Jamie Coyle with 50 minutes registered.

Summerhill increased their dominance on the game and were awarded a corner on 52 minutes. The lively Casey delivered a splendid ball into the box which was met by Ben McGarry who availed of the slack defending to put the ball past the Donegal keeper. 1-0 to the Connacht Champions

Tivnan’s troops were eager to improve on their goal scoring ability and nearly increased their tally when the talented Michael Casey out-paced two defenders to cross the ball into the enthusiastic Heraghty and McManus. Heraghty’s effort rattled the crossbar to the disappointment of the travelling supporters.

Carndonagh found inspiration from the intervention of the woodwork and pressed forward to find the equaliser. Conor Keddy and Daniel McDaid made good progress down the centre but this push forward was intercepted by Sligo’s Killian Sweeney.

Tivnan’s men were unlucky not to seal victory from yet another narrow miss on goal. Ben McGarry’s 18 yard effort just on the hour mark was fumbled by keeper Martin McLaughlin but Paddy Heraghty’s toe poke wasn’t enough for the ball to pass the goal line.

Carndonagh had great determination and heart and this was evident throughout the game. The Ulster outfit came forward on the attack and were awarded a free after an infringement on Brendan McLaughlin.

Ronan Doherty’s short pass to Conor Keddy found him in space, he glided the ball into Daniel McDaid whose header flicked over the upright and wide.

Conor Keddy was involved again in another set piece which found Ryan McLaughlin with a free header on goal. His attempt was saved well by Vinny Cadden in the Sligo net.

Summerhill had a number of close ranges efforts denied by keeper McLaughlin. Casey’s tame strike on goal was unsuccessful as well as Paddy Heraghty’s sprinting run which saw the ball fly across the face of goal and agonisingly wide.

Heraghty tried to make up for his failed attempt earlier by lobbing the keeper from 30 yards but his shot was slightly off target.

Carndonagh seemed to gain the upper hand on proceedings with five minutes remaining. This period of dominance saw Sligo’s Hayden Cawley block a close range effort from Brendan McLaughlin as well as Vinny Cadden saving a strike from Jamie Coyle.

Cadden was again on hand to save under pressure after a free kick was dispensed into the box courtesy of Ronan Doherty.

With the game approaching injury time Carndonagh threw men forward at every opportunity.

The Ulster side was awarded a corner which was gladly taken by Ronan Doherty. His curling kick sailed to the far post which was met by the head of his name sake Padraig. The ball rattling the back of the Cadden’s net to the amazement of the spectators. The equaliser coming within seconds of the final whistle, thus leaving it all square (1-1) with 80 minutes of football played.

As extra time ensued, Sligo were obviously in a state of shock having courageously defended their lead for long periods of the second half.

Carndonagh took the game to Sligo in the opening exchanges of the first period of extra time. Their confidence increasing as a result of their marvellous come back.

Carndonagh’s second of the afternoon came three minutes in with a splendid run by Christy Smith who supplied a quality ball to Conor Keddy who sidestepped the last defender and keeper to pave the way for Ulster celebrations. 2-1 to McGonagle’s side.

Sligo’s response was severe and instant. The influential Michael Casey providing a piece of magic which saw him end the attack he started by slotting the ball past the Carndonagh net minder from close range. 2-2 with only four minutes played.

Carndonagh had the only real chance soon after as Keddy sent a through ball into Jamie Coyle but his shot was feeble and Cadden cleared easily.

The second half of extra time saw Ben McGarry attempt a long range effort but this flew past the post to the frustration of the Sligo mentors.

The exhilarating encounter was destined for spot kicks and Carndonagh held their nerve in the penalty shoot out to progress to the Junior Final.

Summerhill College, Sligo: Vinny Cadden, Killian Sweeney, Paul Lagan, Conor McDonagh, Hayden Cawley, Robbie Fahy, Michael Casey, Niall Murphy, Ben McGarry, Paddy Heraghty, Niall McManus
Subs: Cormac Doherty, Paul Cascallana, Chris Jharling, Scott White, Dara Long
Teacher: Brian Tivnan

Carndonagh Community School: Martin McLaughlin, Martin Shiels, Christy Smith, Conor Burke, Padraig Doherty, Ryan McLaughlin, Conor Keddy, Ronan Doherty, Daniel McDaid, Seamus Doherty, Jamie Coyle
Subs: Brendan McLaughlin, Stephen Friel, Evan Doherty, Liam Barkley, James Griffin, Dean McDaid, Sean Gill
Teacher: Pat McGonagle

Referee: Ed Moore