Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair come up just short in Pat King final at Garvaghey

It was so near for Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair as they almost forced extra-time in the final of the Pat King U-16½ final against Colaiste Doire, Dungiven at Garvaghey.

Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair 1-5
Colaiste Doire, Dungiven 1-8

The Gaoth Dobhair boys will rue seven second half wides in a very good contest. They were up against a good Dungiven side who had a real star in full-forward Ger O Diolun, who accounted for 1-6 of their total.

His goal after 39 minutes was followed by a beautiful point to put Colaiste Doire 1-6 to 0-4 ahead, but credit to the Gaoth Dobhair boys, they kept battling and were denied by a great save by the Dungiven 'keeper, Ciaran O Mhuiri Mac Uilliam in the last play of the game.

There was some disparity between the sides in that the Colaiste Doire team had players from nine Derry clubs involved.

The Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair side before the final

The Gaoth Dobhair side had a great start with two points inside four minutes. Captain Jordi O Criobain went the full length of the field and his cross almost resulted in a goal with Oisin O Duibhir's palmed effort going just over the crossbar.

After another turnover, a great move saw Alan O'Dochartaigh on the end of a move for the second point.

But thereafter, Colaiste Doire gained a foothold with O Diolun at full-forward a real handful. He had his side level on eight minutes and put them ahead on 19 minutes, but in between Pobalscoil had a great goal chance with Oisin O Duibhir's effort wide.

Conor O Corrai added another Dungiven point but before half-time John Paul O Gallachoir pulled a point back from a free to leave it 0-4 to 0-3 at the break.

Pobalscoil had three wides in less than three minutes of the second half. O Corrai and John Paul O Gallachoir traded points before Dungiven took a grip on the game with a goal. It came after a high ball in was allowed to hop. Ger O Diolun was denied by a great save by 'keeper Mac Grianna but he made no mistake from the rebound. He added a point after a delightful dummy for a five point lead.

John Paul Gallagher chipped away at the lead with a free but O Diolun also pointed a free. Pobalscoil were back in the game when another driving run by one of their best players, centre-half Cathal O Gallachoir, Liam Breathnach was on hand to fire low to the net.

O Diolun had Dungiven's final point from a free to leave three between them with five minutes of normal time left. From there to the finish Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair pressed with Jamie Mac Iomhair denied by a save under the crossbar and then in the final play of the game the impressive Dungiven 'keeper somehow managed to get a block to deny Padraig Mac Giolla Bhride.

For the final minutes Pobalscoil 'keeper Frainc Mac Grianna played as an extra outfield player and maybe should have deployed there sooner, such was his influence. Apart from the excellent Cathal O Gallachoir, Jamie Mac Iomhair, John Paul O Gallachoir, Daniel O Currain and Jordi O Criobain were excellent for the losers.

The Dungiven centre-forward Conor O Corrai was black carded in added time.

The last kick . . . Padraig Mac Giolla Bhride is denied a  goal which would have taken game to extra-time Pic: Thomas Gallagher

Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair scorers: Liam Breathnach 1-0; John Paul O Gallachoir 0-3,3f; Oisin O Duibhir, Alan O Dochartaigh 0-1 each.

Dungiven scorers: Ger O Diolun 1-6,2f; Conor O Corrai 0-2.

Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair: Frainc Mac Grianna; Liam Breathnach, Cathal Mac Aoidh, Alan O Dochartaigh; Fionn O Cnaimhsi, Cathal O Gallachoir, Jamie Mac Iomhair; Dallan O Baoill, Padraig Mac Giolla Bhride; John Paul O Gallachoir, Daniel O Currain, Shaun O Gallachoir; Taidhg O Baoill, Oisin O Duibhir, Jordi O Criobain. Subs: Micheal Mac Aoidh, Cortaigh O Dochartaigh, Eoin Mairtin Mac Aoidh.

Colaiste Dhoire, Dungiven: Ciaran O Mhuiri Mac Uilliam; Seamus Mac Conmidhe, David Butcher, Declan O Ceallaigh, Rian Mac Giolla Chomhaill, Lorcan O Muiri, Daire O Damhain; Finbar O Muiri, Declan Mac Con Mhide; Caolan O Tiarnaigh, Conor O Corrai, Tristan O Gaimhnain; Cathal O Mianain, Ger O Diolun, Caomhain Mac Conghail. Sub: Daire O Lochlainn for Caolan O Tiarnaigh.

Referee: Mark Loughran (Tyrone)