'We'll have a few diluted blackcurrants now to celebrate' - Andrew Nicholls

St Eunan’s College goalkeeper Andrew Nicholls was full of praise for his teammates after their hard-fought 2-0 victory over Scoil Mhuire Buncrana in the Dr Tony O’Neill U-19 Senior Ulster Cup final which saw them dethrone the Ulster and All-Ireland champions.

Under grey skies and in testing conditions, St Eunan’s dug deep, weathering storms both literal and figurative to dethrone the reigning Ulster and All-Ireland champions.

On days like these, the smallest margins matter. The first goal, a moment of craft from Ronan Buchanan, nestled into the bottom corner. The second, was a slice of fortune as the ball skidded off a Buncrana boot into the roof of the net.

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Yet, it was the work in between – the grit, the resilience, the sheer will to win – that truly defined the victors.

As the Buncrana men pressed in the second half, Nicholls stood tallest and produced a series of crucial saves, denying Brendan Roe and Terrence Doherty in one-on-one situations. It was a performance that exuded calm and confidence, traits that have been ever-present in his game.

“I’m absolutely delighted with the win,” said Nicholls. “At the start of the year we put out a goal that we wanted to be Ulster champions. We knew we had the talent to win it, and we’re just delighted that we got the result . . . happy days.”

Few could argue against the deserved nature of their triumph. From one to eleven, every player in black and amber played their part, resisting wave after wave of Buncrana pressure. For Nicholls, the quality of the opposition made victory all the sweeter.

“I suppose from number one to 11, we all stepped up for this final, but fair play to Buncrana, they really put it up to us,” he said. “They’re a great side with players who are still underage on that team next season, so no doubt they’ll be here again. But for us, we’re just happy to get the result.”

While his immediate focus has been on school football, Nicholls is also enjoying a fine season with Bonagee United, where things are going just as smoothly as they are at St Eunan’s. The Letterkenny side sit top of the Premier Division, and there is a growing sense that this could be a special year at club level too.

“We’re doing well at club level with Bonagee. I suppose the goal is to continue our good run of form and end the season with another trophy,” he said. “We still have a long way to go at club level, but we’re in a good place,” he said.

“It makes your time with the club better when you’re winning games. Everything is positive on that front. Great credit has to go to Packie Mailey and the management team for putting their trust into the young players. I suppose all I can do is go out every week and do my best while also learning along the way from the older boys in the team.”

For now, though, the celebrations belong to St Eunan’s. An Ulster title is no small feat, and the goalkeeper was eager to embrace the moment with his teammates.

“For now, we’ll enjoy this win. Not every day you get to win an Ulster trophy. We might have a few diluted blackcurrants now to celebrate.”