Brilliant St Catherine's VS are Ulster champions in all-Donegal schools' soccer final

St Catherine's VS, Killybegs, are Ulster Senior B champions after a convincing win over Chú Uladh, Beal an Atha Mor at Emerald Park, Killybegs.

St Catherine's 5
Gairmscoil Chú Uladh 0

The Killybegs boys were worthy winners thanks to a very good all-round performance. The Ballinamore boys threatened for a period early in the second half, but after a third goal on 53 minutes, the result was never in doubt.

With both sides having great support, the venue was really alive, especially in the opening half. St Catherine's had the bulk of the possession and up front JP McGuinness and Alex McBrearty were lively throughout.

But before they got in on the act, Christopher Mulligan put the Killybegs boys on their way with a wonder strike on five minutes from fully 30m into the top corner.

Cathal Campbell presents the cup to St Catherine's captain Dermot Cunningham

Dermot Cunningham was almost in for a second which did arrive on 12 minutes. A Ballinamore mistake was pounced on by JP McGuinness who crossed for Alex McBrearty to fire home, going in off a post.

The diminutive Seaghan Mac Cormaic almost set Jamie O Domhnaill free but for the remainder of the half it was a rearguard action with St Catherine's continuing to create chances thanks to the work of Mulligan and Dermot Cunningham in the centre and the effectiveness of Kyle McGeoghan and Colin Mooney at the back, the latter pair members of the Sligo Rovers Academy.

McGeoghan had a slip on 26 minutes but got back to cover his mistake with a great block while up front JP McGuinness created a great opening for Alex McBrearty, who chipped the 'keeper but the effort went just wide of the post.

The Ballinamore side did have a claim for a penalty four minutes from the break when Jack McGlynn got a nudge in the back, but it was waved away by referee Tony McNamee.

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The Chú Uladh side should have halved the deficit early in the second half with Darragh O'Carroll seeing his effort come back off the crossbar and in a scramble the ball went just wide of the posts.

To make matters worse, St Catherine's went 3-0 ahead on the next play when a free kick from distance was misjudged by the Ballinamore defence and came back off a post with Alex McBrearty alive to fire home from close range.

Jamie O'Donnell headed just over at the other end before St Catherine's put the tie to bed on 70 minutes. A great cross from Christopher Mulligan found Dean Breslin at the far post to head home in classic style.

After that both sides used their substitutes with the game out of reach and in the final minutes JP McGuinness got the goal he deserved for his work throughout the game.

Apart from those mentioned, praise must go to Ambrose McGee for his role in shadowing Chú Uladh danger man Luke McGlynn in impressive style.

The Killybegs boys are following in footsteps of a number of sides from the school who won Ulster titles, including one that had Seamie Coleman involved back in the early part of the noughties.

ST CATHERINE'S VS: Daire Brennan; Colin Mooney, Gavin Gallagher, Jack Boyle, Kyle McGeoghan, Christopher Mulligan, Ambrose McGee, Dermot Cunningham, JP McGuinness, Alex McBrearty, Dean Breslin. Substitutes: Barry Murray, Matthew Huntley, Darragh Gallagher, Aaron O'Shea, Martin Heraty, Daniel McCallig, Caoimhin O'Neill, Shane Adair

GAIRMSCOIL CHÚ ULADH: Seamus Dé Bruin, Gavin Mac Cormaic, Thomas Ó Crosain, Shaun Mac a Bhaird, Ben Mac Ailín, Darragh Ó Carriúl, Petter Mac Fhloinn, Jack Mag Fhlionn, Jamie Ó Domhnaill, Luke Mag Fhloinn, Seaghan Mac Cormaic. Replacements: Kevin Ó Gallachoir, Brendan Ó Mearlaigh, Niall Ó Dochartaigh, Sean Mac Fhloinn, Dylan McGinty, Conoir Mac Meanaid, Odhran Conuchir, James Ó Cnaimhsi.

REFEREE: Tony McNamee.

Gairmscoil Chú Uladh pictured before the game