St Columba's, Glenties lose out in Arthurs Cup final to late Bailieborough goals

Two goals in the last 10 minutes deprived St Columba's, Glenties in an exciting Arthurs Cup final against Bailieborough CS of Cavan.

St Columba's 1-10  Bailieborough CS 3-8

The Cavan side had the edge in physicality and also knew how to use it in the closing stages when the Glenties school tried to claw back a five point gap.

But for much of this game St Columba's had the upper hand, thanks to an early goal from young Ross Diver, son of Damien. His effort for a point went all the way to the Bailieborough net on six minutes. 

Shane Sweeney had opened the account for the Glenties side while Colin Hill had replied for Bailieborough.

St Columba's, Glenties pictured before the game

Scores were few after the goal with St Columba's hitting six first half wides. They also had two very good goal chances. Jamie Byrne should have scored on five minutes when he won a long ball from Conor Farrell,  while Daithi Molloy seemed to be fouled as he powered  through on 22 minutes but his effort went just wide of the posts.

Before half-time Tony Clerkin, Mark Mulvey and Ben McIntyre (free) had points for the Cavan side while Shane Sweeney had the only other St Columba's point to leave just the minimum between the sides at the break - St Columba's 1-2, Bailieborough 0-4.

Lee Browne had Bailieborough level within 20 seconds of the restart but  there was little between the sides from there until the first goal for the Cavan side on 13 minutes. Shane Sweeney kept the St Columba's score ticking over while Mark O'Sullivan was on the mark for Bailieborough.

Lee Browne struck for the first goal to get the Cavan side level on 43 minutes but again Shane Sweeney edged St Columba's ahead. But disaster struck for St Columba's when a Luke Reilly effort deceived Cian McConnell and ended in the net.

Jamie Byrne has a shot at goal for St Columba's, Glenties during the Arthurs Cup final Picture: Thomas Gallagher

Two Conor Farrell frees cut the deficit to the minimum again with six minutes left but a third goal from Mark Mulvey settled the final in Bailieborough's favour. St Columba's kept coming and Daithi Molloy was hauled down when through on goal with the Cavan side's half-back Niall Keegan receiving a black card.

It was heartbreaking for St Columba's, who put so much into the contest.

St Columba's scorers: Shane Sweeney 0-6,3f; Ross Diver 1-0; Conor Farrell 0-3,2f; Daithi Molloy 0-1.

Bailieborough CS scorers: Mark Mulvey 1-2; Lee Browne 1-1; Luke Reilly 1-0; Ben McIntyre 0-2,2f; Mark O'Sullivan, Colin Hill,  Tony Clerkin 0-1 each.

St Columba's, Glenties: Cian McConnell; Niall Roarty, Tiernan Byrne, Oisin Breslin; Jack Elliott, Niall Boyle, Ross Diver; Daithi Molloy, Seamus Boyce; Shane Sweeney, Conor Farrell, Leon Gallagher McDyer; Jamie Byrne, Stephen McDevitt, Adam McGill. 

Subs: Donnachadh Malone for Gallagher McDyer (ht); Alan McLoone for O Breslin; Odhran Bonner for R Diver; Logan Melly for S McDevitt.

Bailieborough CS: Evan Coleman; Mark O'Sullivan, Gary McGuinness, Mark McGuinness; Josh Reilly, Noel McIntyre, Niall Keegan; Colin Hill, Cillian Burns; Tony Clerkin, Lee Browne, Luke Reilly; Ben McIntyre, Joshua Smith, Mark Mulvey.

Subs: Liam  Brady for Clerkin (ht); Deividas Kuzminskas for J Smith.