Gallagher bags a worldie but PCC Falcarragh suffer late All-Ireland semi-final loss

There was heartbreak for PCC Falcarragh in the semi-final of the FAI Schools John Murphy Senior ‘B’ National Cup - U-19, Small Schools - when they were hit by an injury-time winner against Grennan College, Thomastown.

Seán Denieffe hit the decisive goal for the Kilkenny side in the 91st minute, just six minutes after Jack Gallagher had brilliantly levelled for the Donegal team at Dundalk’s Oriel Park. Éanna O’Keeffe had opened the scoring for Thomastown on 65.

Grennan College made a good impression early on with an O’Feeffe free-kick and a Denieffe header on target making Falcarragh netminder Caolan O’Reilly the busier of the two keepers with some fine saves in the opening quarter of an hour.

Unfortunately for Falcarragh, Packie Doohan was forced into an early change with a clumsy tackle on the impressive David Geaney which saw him limp off as Stephen Curran was introduced with 19 minutes on the clock.

Conor Stewart sparked Falcarragh into life when he smashed the crossbar five minutes later. This attempt was shortly followed up by a nice strike from Ronan McGee which forced Alex Begley into an excellent save.

Grennan’s Tadgh McMahon had a snapshot on goal but O’Reilly got down well to gather.

Isaac Magner had a sneaky shot at the far post but again O’Reilly was equal to the challenge two minutes from the break as the teams headed into the interval scoreless.

Thomastown number one, Alex Begley. made a good interception to deny Callagher Friel from a set-piece just over the hour mark as both sides were creating some lovely chances.

The breakthrough came in the 65th minute as Colm Treacy’s initial strike was blocked down but O’Keeffe was on hand to slot home the rebound for a 1-0 lead to the Leinster starlets.

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Grennan looked to be seeing the game out with some slow build-up play from the back but PCC always looked dangerous on the counter.

The Donegal crew got their equaliser five minutes from time with a worldie from Gallagher. A fabulous individual effort which saw him weave his way through the Kilkenny defence and slot past the diving Begley. It was 1-1 and game on.

Momentum seemed to be swaying to Falcarragh following the goal but Grennan managed to get a few free kicks in Falcarragh’s half to settle themselves.

The last blow came from one of these as Denieffe headed home the match-winner. Falcarragh conceded defeat by the narrowest of margins, a wonderful display from both sides as Grennan just edged the contest overall with some brilliant periods of play.

The talented Thomastown squad now march on to the FAI Schools John Murphy Senior ‘B’ National Cup decider against current holders St. Peter’s Community College, Passage West on Wednesday, February 5.

Grennan College, Thomastown: Alex Begley, Conor Kelly, Seán Denieffe, Tyler Nolan, Tadhg McMahon, Conor Monks, Colm Treacy, Alex Muniz, Éanna O’Keeffe, Isaac Magner (Odhran McGorry 90+1), Darragh Dock.
PCC Falcarragh: Caolan O’Reilly, Dylan Kavanagh, Tarlach Coll, Jack Gallagher, Carragher Friel, Caolan McNulty, Ronan McGee, David Geaney ( Stephen Curran 19), Tomás O’Reilly (Shane Curran 72), Donncha Boyle, Conor Stewart
Referee: David Hughes (Louth)