Goals galore as St Columba’s, Glenties capture their first Ulster crown

St Columba’s Comprehensive, Glenties are in celebratory mode after their Ulster U14.5 Gerry Brown Cup final win over Gaelcholáiste Dhoire on Thursday afternoon at the Donegal GAA Training Centre, in Convoy.

Eoghan Boyle, Oisin McDermott, Kaua Riquelme, and Calvin McHugh scored the goals in a cracking contest in what was a historic first boys Ulster title for the Glenties side. 

Daithi O’Donghaile hit two of the Gaelcholáiste three pointers, one from the penalty spot after he was fouled, while Oisin Caoinn and Brogan Ó Dughail Ó Cinneide netted the other two goals. 

Boyle, son of former county players Brendan Boyle and the late Donna Dunnion, and McDermott scored three goals each, with stylish corner forward Kaua Riquelme chipping in with two goals as Calvin McHugh also struck for one.

Fullforward Boyle also posted six of the St Columba’s points, with all but one from play, while Mark Boyle Gildea capped a powerful performance in the middle of the field with three points. 

With Mark Boyle Gildea and Charlie Brennan driving them from midfield and McDermott and Eoghan Boyle in fine form, St Columba’s led by 3-5 to 1-5 at half time after getting off to a lightning fast start.

Riquelme and McDermott (2) scored early goals to propel the new champions into a 3-1 to 0–0 lead after just five minutes to signal their intentions.

And while the Gaelcholáiste did come more into the game once they settled, thanks to an Oisin O’Coinn goal and three points from impressive midfielder Odhran O’Giollan, along with two more from the equally impressive Charlie O’Muiri, they were still in the tie.

But after a third McDermott goal, the lead was out to nine points, 4-5 to 1-5 within 60 seconds of the restart.

And St Columba’s then led by 14 points, 5-7 to 1-5 by the three-quarter mark. 

The fifth goal was scored by Eoghan Boyle when his high dipping shot dropped short but over the head of the Gaelcholáiste goalkeeper and into the net.

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To their credit and through the never-say-die attitude of Charlie O’Muiri, Brogan Ó Dughail Ó Cinneide and Daithi O’Donghaile, the Derry side battled away and were rewarded with two goals in quick succession, scored by first-half substitute Cahir O’Buister and the bustling Daithi O’Donghaile to trim the Comp lead to seven points. 

Calvin McHugh and O’Buister from the penalty spot traded goals before Eoghan Boyle rounded off the goal fest with two more St Columba green flags for a comprehensive win and a first Ulster boys crown for the Glenties school.

St Columba scorers: Eoghan Boyle 3-6,1f; Oisin McDermott 3-1; Kaua Riquelme 2-0; Calvin McHugh 1-0; Mark Boyle Gildea 0-3,1f; Evan Elliot 0-1.  

Gaelcholáiste Dhoire scorers: Daithi O’Donghaile 2-0, 1-0 pen; Charlie O’Muiri 0-4,1f; Oisin Caoin and Brogan Ó Dughail Ó Cinneide 1-0 each, Odhran O’Giollan 0-3,2f. 

St Columba’s Comprehensive, Glenties: Jayden Spratt; John Loughrey, Joao Pedro, Iarlaith Doherty; Patrick Caldwell, Se Byrne, Jayden Boylan; Charlie Brennan, Mark Boyle-Gildea; Calvin McHugh, Oisin McDermott, Conor McElhinney; Evan Elliott, Eoghan Boyle, Kaua Riquelme.

Subs: Joe Bonner for E Elliot (45), Mark Boyle for K Riquelme (55); Daithi McGrenra for O McDermott, Darragh Bonner for J Boylan, Jack Harper for C McHugh (59). 

Gaelcholáiste Dhoire: Conall Mac Cuaig; Liam Ó Cleirigh, Cathair Ó Ceallaigh, Ultan Ó Ceallaigh Mac Criostail; Sean Ó Ceallaigh, Damhnaic Ó Ceallaigh, Charlie Ó Muiri; Brogan Ó Dughail Ó Cinneide,  Odhran Ó Giollain; Michael Mac Giolla Domhnaigh, Seamus Mac Lochlainn, Fionnain Ó Beart; Felix Mac Oscair, Daithi Ó Donghaile, Oisin Ó Coinn.

Subs: Cahir Buisteir for S Mac Lochlain (28).

Referee: James Connors (Donegal)