Great to finally win an Ulster title after years of disappointments - Doyle

St Columba’s Comprehensive School under fourteen and a half footballers etched their names into the Glenties school's history books with Thursday’s Ulster Schools Gerry Brown Cup final win.

They defeated Gaelcholáiste Dhoire in the final at the Donegal Training Centre in Convoy with a final score of St Columba’s 9-11, Gaelcholáiste Dhoire 5-8. 

Down native Hugh Doyle was the team manager, and he was delighted for the team and the school that they finally got their hands on Ulster silverware. 

“As we know too well, Ulster titles are hard to win. I think it is the first ever title we’ve won at the boys level in Ulster,” said the team boss at the final whistle. 

“The girls have won a number, but this is a first for the boys. We’ve been to the Ulster finals before, and we have been disappointed on each occasion.

“So we know exactly how Gaelcholáiste Dhoire feels today. But for us, it is great to finally win one and to get our hands on Ulster silverware.

“For a lot of these lads, it is their first taste of second level football, and it is brilliant for them to win.

“And hopefully they will not rest on their laurels, and they can build on this success now up along the line.” 

Reflecting on the game, the manager insisted they had learned from earlier rounds to stamp their authority on the game from the off.

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“We were slow to get going in a number of games in the earlier rounds, so we were determined today to take control of the game from the start, and thankfully, we did.

“We scored three goals in the opening five minutes and raced into a big early lead.” 

“But they came back at us and we only led by five points at half-time, which was worrying. 

“We spoke about it at half-time and took control of the game again.

“And we did that and started the second half with a couple of quick goals. Our big players stood up in the second half, and our smaller players played their part too, and while Gaelcholáiste batted to the end, we were comfortable winners.”