Heartbreak for St Eunan's College as Geoghegan seals semi-final win for St Ronan’s

A last-gasp point from Jack Geoghegan dashed St Eunan’s College's hopes in a thrilling U-14.5 Loch an Iuír Cup semi-final against St Ronan’s, played in snowy conditions in Carrickmore on Wednesday with the Letterkenny side edged out by a single point in a fiercely contested encounter. 

St Eunan’s started brightly, with a goal from Conor McDaid and three points from Cathal Doherty helping them establish a 1-6 to 1-3 lead at half-time.  

Rioghan McKinney’s goal for St Ronan’s kept his team within touching distance. However, a stunning second-half surge saw St Ronan’s net three goals in nine minutes, courtesy of Aodhan Campbell and a brace from Alfie Walsh, turning the game on its head. 

Ethan Buchanan’s goal and a sixth point from Doherty brought St Eunan’s back into contention, levelling the match. But Geoghegan’s late heroics clinched victory for the Lurgan side, sending them through to the final. 

St Ronan’s set the tone from the throw-in as their towering midfielder, Caiden Conway, burst forward to assist Darragh O’Hagan for the opening score within 20 seconds.  

St Eunan’s initially struggled to find their rhythm, with Doherty’s early attempt falling short. However, he soon got his side on the scoreboard after a neat one-two with Sean Gallagher. 

St Eunan’s quickly capitalised on their momentum. Doherty’s blocked effort led to a 45, taken swiftly by Jack O’Donnell, who exchanged passes with Cormac Gallagher before slotting over to put his side ahead.  

Moments later, a fluid team move resulted in a crucial goal. Doherty laid the ball off to Daithi Winston, who delivered a clever chip to McDaid on the left. Although his first attempt was saved by goalkeeper Connor O’Hagan, McDaid pounced on the rebound to find the net. 

McDaid added a point soon after and could have extended the lead further had Doherty opted to pass during a promising break. Instead, his low shot went wide, squandering an opportunity to put St Eunan’s firmly in control. 

The missed chance proved costly as St Ronan’s halved the deficit. Michael Mulholland surged forward from deep, and while Sean Enright made a fine save, the rebound fell to McKinney, who coolly slotted home. 

Doherty responded with a free, but points from Mulholland and Conway brought St Ronan’s within one. St Eunan’s danger men then stepped up once more, with McDaid and Doherty contributing late first-half scores to give their side a three-point cushion at the interval. 

The second half began with a scare for St Eunan’s. McKinney’s precise pass found Alfie Walsh, who set up Zack Henderson for what seemed a certain goal. However, the muddy pitch held up the ball, allowing Senan Faulkner to clear off the line. 

St Ronan’s didn’t waste their next opportunity. Campbell’s speculative effort from the left looped into the net via the post, sparking a remarkable turnaround.  

Doherty briefly restored St Eunan’s lead with a fine score, but it was short-lived as McKinney’s point attempt fell short, and Walsh was on hand to scramble the ball over the line. 

St Ronan’s kept up the pressure, and another Mulholland run set up McKinney, whose blocked effort fell kindly to Walsh. The forward made no mistake, completing his double and pushing his side four points clear. 

Despite the setbacks, St Eunan’s showed resilience. A speculative shot from Doherty caused chaos in the St Ronan’s defence, and substitute Ethan Buchanan ensured the loose ball crossed the line to reduce the deficit.  

Doherty then levelled the scores with a composed free in the 57th minute, setting the stage for a nail-biting finish. 

With time ticking away, St Ronan’s regained possession and worked the ball to Geoghegan, who kept his composure to split the posts from close range. It proved to be the decisive score, securing a hard-fought victory for the Lurgan side, leaving St Eunan’s to reflect on what might have been. 

St Ronan’s, Lurgan: Alfie Walsh 2-0; Rioghan McKinney and Aodhan Campbell 1-0 each; Caiden Conway, Michael Mulholland, Darragh O’Hagan, and Jack Geoghegan 0-1 each. 
St Eunan’s scorers: Cathal Doherty 0-6, 5fs; Conor McDaid 1-2; Ethan Buchanan 1-0; Jack O’Donnell 0-1. 

St Ronan’s, Lurgan: Connor O’Hagan; Jack Maher, Noah Kelly, Conall Lavery; Michael McConville, Aodhan Campbell, Joel Gregory; Dara Trowlen, Caiden Conway; Michael Mulholland, Darragh O’Hagan, Jack Geoghegan; Rioghan McKinney, Zack Henderson, Alfie Walsh. Subs: Eoin Wilson for Henderson (52 mins).  

St Eunan’s College: Sean Enright; Senan Faulkner, Lee McCauley, Cormac Gallagher; Liam McEldowey, Michael Hartigan, Shane McGee; Jack O’Donnell, Fionn Doherty; Conor McDaid, Ronan McGrenra, Helden Carvalho; Daithi Winston, Sean Gallagher, Cathal Doherty. Subs: Jimmy McGuinness and Ethan Buchanan for Carvalho and McGee (38 mins), Zac O’Carroll for Gallagher (42 mins), Edward Callaghan for F Doherty (52 mins).  

Referee: John Devlin (Tyrone)