WATCH: Coláiste Cholmcille penalty heroes as they prepare for Markey Cup final

After an exciting campaign with extra-time needed in their last two games, Coláiste Cholmcille go in search  of a second Markey Cup final tonight when they take on Dean Maguirc College, Carrickmore under lights in Roslea (7 pm).

The Ballyshannon school, which has players from six different clubs in their 30-player panel - Aodh Ruadh are the dominant club with the other panel members from Pettigo, Naomh Brid, Bundoran, Melvin Gaels and St Molaise Gaels.

The heroes of their semi-final win over St Patrick’s, Keady on Friday last were ‘keeper Aaron Cullen and captain Ryan Barrett. In a contest that went to extra-time and penalties, Cullen saved four of the six penalties he faced, while Barrett converted twice for Coláiste Cholmcille to seal the win 3-2 on spot kicks. The game had ended Coláiste Cholmcille 2-10, St Patrick’s, Keady 0-16.

Tonight’s game will be new territory for both teams as they have not met before. But going on the form lines, there seems to be very little between them. Carrickmore accounted for Holy Cross, Strabane in the group stage by a narrow margin, while Coláiste defeated Holy Cross by five points after extra-time.

Indeed, a feature of Coláiste Cholmcille’s run to the final is their ability to keep going when things are not going for them. They came from behind twice on Friday last in a great encounter with St Patrick’s, Keady.

The side is managed by teachers Damien Conlon and Philip O’Reilly, who both have plenty of football experience.

Coláiste Cholmcille, Ballyshannon through to Markey Cup final after classic

The Ballyshannon side win needed extra-time and penalties to overcome St Patrick's, Keady, with 'keeper Aaron Cullen saving four spot kicks

The college won the competition back in 2016/’17 with the likes of Sean Taylor, Jason Granaghan, Shane McGrath, Michael McKenna, Oisin Rooney and Nathan Boyle on board as well as a 15-year-old Seamas Keogh,  now a Finn Harps player.

They defeated Coláiste na Carraige in an all-Donegal final by 4-11 to 0-12, for whom Aaron Doherty scored 0-10.

Current goalkeeper for Coláiste, Aaron Cullen, is someone who doesn’t get too excited. “We looked up to those boys as first years and it would be great to do it again,” he said.

Captain Ryan Barrett, a Realt na Mara clubman, wants his side to leave everything on the pitch in the final. “You cannot ask for more than that. We have prepared well under Mr O’Reilly and Mr Conlon and we are really looking forward to this final.”

Apart from Cullen and Barrett, Coláiste Cholmcille have strong performers in Eoghan Kelly, Jack Gallagher, Shane Delahunty, Ronan Maher, the Sweenys, Kyle McNulty and Anton Govorov. They also have some very good young talent in James Monaghan, Ted O’Donnell, Barry Campbell and Garvin Meade.

Ryan Barrett and Aaron Cullen are interviewed by Peter Campbell