Late heroics propel Scoil Mhuire Buncrana to Danske Bank Faul Cup final

Scoil Mhuire Buncrana and St Aidan’s Cootehill will contest the Danske Bank Faul Cup final at the start of February after both hit late points to edge through tightly-fought semi-finals yesterday afternoon.
Scoil Mhuire Buncrana 0-11 Largy College Clones 2-4

The Inishowen boys looked in trouble in the dying minutes when Largy College goal-scorer Caolán Clerkin had an opening to shoot the lead point. However the ball dropped short and, although Largy picked up the loose ball, they lost possession and Scoil Mhuire broke for player of the match Billy Duffy to hit a superb winning point.

In truth, Buncrana deserved the victory having led for most of the game. A goal from Caolán Clerkin in the 24th minute pulled the teams level. However, points from Dylan Mulholland and Duffy saw Scoil Mhuire close out the half to lead by 0-7 to 1-3 at the break.

The Donegal side had stretched their lead with a Mulholland point before Clerkin fired home his second goal midway through the second half. Scoil Mhuire hit back with points from Seán McLaughlin and Conor Graham to move ahead. But Noel McGinty levelled the tie going into injury time before Duffy stepped up to see them Buncrana through.

Scoil Mhuire: B Duffy 0-4, S McLaughlin and D Mulholland 0-3 each, C Graham 0-1

Largy College Clones: C Clerkin 1-1, N McGinty 0-3, C Greenan 0-1.

Scoil Mhuire Buncrana: Stephen McNulty; Elliot Friel, Leo Kelly, Daniel McMenamin; Conor Graham, Andrew Davidson, Fionn Ó Riordan; Donal Óg O'Brien, Aaron Duggan Clearly; Shaunie Bradley, Seán McLaughlin, Billy Duffy; Dylan Mullholland, Oisín McIntyre, Jamie McCauley.