National Cup final heartbreak for Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana 

There was National Cup final disappointment for Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana’s first years on Wednesday when they were edged out by Cork’s St. Francis College, Rochestown. 

St. Francis College, Rochestown 3-2 Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana (AET)

Jack Punch was the man of the moment for St. Francis College as his incredible hat-trick ensured Rochestown snatched the FAI Schools First Year Boys National Cup title in extra-time in a sun kissed AUL Complex, Clonshaugh this afternoon (May 17).

It was a phenomenal outing between the cream of Schools football as Scoil Mhuire were three minutes from securing the silverware only for Punch to pounce late on to take the tie to extra-time and his second half screamer three minutes from the final whistle meant the trophy would be travelling South.

Jack Punch opened the scoring after just four minutes when he slotted neatly past McCann from the edge of the six yard line. He could have doubled his tally five minutes later as his rocket from 25 yards out nicked the crossbar.

Scoil Mhuire responded with 14 minutes on the clock when Jack McGeough’s initial effort was rebounded out to Captain Terence Doherty and he slipped Tadhg McDaid in to finish past McEvoy for a superb goal.It remained one apiece at the interval.

The Donegal crew claimed the lead shortly after the resumption with an outrageous shot from Conor McClay to rifle the top corner.

Cork thought they struck an equaliser on 48 minutes when Darragh O'Flaherty hit the target but his goal was ruled out for off-side.

Buncrana were under the cosh for the latter stages as Morgan Kelleher had two attempts to take it to extra-time. His first strike narrowly missing the far post and his glancing header from a corner saw the ball hit the woodwork.

However the equaliser came three minutes from time when Jack Punch netted for the second time in sublime fashion.

Great credit to both teams as they served some exceptional football in an absolutely enthralling encounter, finishing 2-2 in normal time and it was anyone’s call in extra-time. No clear cut chances in the first period but Punch was on hand to test the keeper two minutes into the restart.

His tame effort left an easy job for Joshua McCann to clear up. Again it was the maestro Jack Punch who came charging forward three minutes from time to drive the ball into the back of the net.

With the scorching temperatures, the Buncrana players were lack lustre in the last few minutes of added time and just could not muster up a response as Rochestown saw out the contest to claim a dramatic victory.

St Francis College, Rochestown:Alex McEvoy, Colm Tynan, Darragh O’Flaherty ©, Luke Mullins, Morgan Kelleher ©, Finn Doyle, Cillian Ross, John Dollard Young, Jack Punch, Conor Stack, Darragh Lynch.

Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana: Joshua McCann, Dathal Gallagher, Nikodem Zebala, Blake McCarron, Conor Tierney, Ronan Mailey, Tadhg McDaid, Jack McGeough, Michael McColgan, Conor McClay, Terence Doherty ©.

Subs: Anton Doherty, Luke McCarron, Cian Murphy, Conor Sweeney, Sean Cullen,

Referee: Ryan Flood (Dublin)