Extra-time heartbreak for Coláiste Ailigh in FAI Schools First Year ‘B’ Boys final

Ethan Ó Brollacháin’s dramatic equaliser in the last minute of normal time didn’t turn out to be the catalyst that that Coláiste Ailigh hoped in Athlone this afternoon, as the Letterkenny school were undone in extra-time in a dramatic and windswept FAI Schools final in Athlone.

From start to finish the contest was a battle between Coláiste Ailigh’s craft and footwork and the superior power and strength of Castleisland Community College, who employed a much more direct approach.

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That tactic yielded two crucial goals, a first half header from a corner and Adam Walsh’s stunning 20-yard shot in the first half of extra-time.

Meanwhile Coláiste Ailigh enjoyed plenty of possession for the majority of the game, but they found it tougher to create clearcut scoring chances, at least until the latter stages of the game, both normal time and the additional 20 minutes.

Ó Brollacháin’s sensational strike right at the death will live long in the memory of the players and the Coláiste Ailigh-dominated crowd, but a handful of other missed chances mean their wait to write their name on national silverware goes on.

Luck didn’t favour the Letterkenny students as the breeze was at its strongest in the opening 30 minutes, while it blew into the faces of the Ulster champions, carrying heavy showers with it at times.

This half was a survival mission for Coláiste Ailigh, as passing across the lines and getting sufficient support up to the top end of the pitch proved difficult, while Castleisland CC went long, earned six first half corners and made their breakthrough when one of those was subtly flicked on into the path of the onrushing Brian McShane.

For the second half the rain subsided and the sun came out and the elements weren’t nearly as much of an impediment to the side working against them – but even after half-time, the lack of penetration at the top end of the pitch was noticeable.

Coláiste Ailigh had much more of the ball but they still found themselves outnumbered by the deep-lying Castleisland defence and midfield, with their own midfield not pushing up quite as high as was needed.

For all the excellent touches and passes, with Tom Mac Giolla Bháin and Ethan Ó Brollacháin playing well-measured through balls while Davyn Mac Fhloinn worked hard to link midfield and attack, it was only from set pieces that Coláiste Ailigh looked like they might break through, with their best chance arriving with a little over ten minutes to play.

Tom Mac Giolla Bháin’s delivery from the forward edge of the centre circle was allowed to fly through to the edge of the six-yard box where Conn Ó Baoil held up the ball with his first touch and got his shot away with his second, only for goalkeeper Connie O’Connor to avert the danger with lightning sharp reflexes.

Relentless endeavour and energy from the Coláiste Ailigh side meant that the pressure eventually told, Ó Brollacháin hammering the ball to the net to set up extra time.

As luck would have it however the wind and rain whipped up again for the additional time and one long ball was played onwards by Olly O’Shea towards Adam Walsh, and his sensational strike from the edge of the area was to prove decisive.

Coláiste Ailigh: Conchúir Ó Meargaigh; Caolán Mac Seáin, Jeaic Ó Brádaigh (Iarla Ó Caomhánaigh 22-half-time, 60+3, John Ó Daimhin 78), Seán Ó Tonnaigh, Ethan Ó Brollacháin; Oisín Mac Giolla Chiannigh, Conn Ó Baoil, Tom Mac Giolla Bháin, Seá Ó Murchú; Davyn Mac Fhloinn; Callum Mac Catháin (Calum Mac Robb 38).

Castleisland CC: Connie O’Connor; James O’Donoghue, Kealan Burke, Conor O’Donoghue (Charlie Tarrant 38), Darragh McGillicuddy (Billy Moriarty 58); Donal O’Sullivan, Brian McShane (Ryan Clifford 38, Cian Bolger 49); Adam Walsh, Seán Kerin, Ryan O’Connor; Olly O’Shea.

Referee: Ray Conlon.