Pres Athenry too hot for Rice College to claim Under 19 Dr Tony O’Neill Cup
Presentation College capture Senior title
FAI Schools Dr. Tony O’Neill Senior Connacht Cup Final (Under 19, Large Schools)
Thursday, March 10, 2022
Presentation College, Athenry 4-1 Rice College, Westport
Presentation College, Athenry were crowned Connacht Schools Senior Boys Champions in Athlone this afternoon (March 10) with a confident and assured performance as they clinched a second ever provincial title at this level reports Mike Rafferty.
However, their path to success was not always a comfortable one, for despite playing with the advantage of the considerable elements in the opening half, it was Rice College who offered all the early scoring threats, before Athenry recovered to score three before the break.
Now if they were very impressive in the opening half, they produced a more composed display on the resumption and while they had to soak up some pressure, they never really looked like conceding and indeed added to their tally with a fourth late on.
It was the Westport school who certainly made the more impressive start, as Adam Nugent headed in a Conor Cannon cross for the opener on just 4 minutes and only a post denied Cannon adding a second moments later.
Now it took Presentation Athenry some time to impose themselves on proceedings, but through the work of the outstanding Daire McCarthy and Adam Molloy they took control and were rewarded with the equaliser on 28 minutes when Tom Daly side footed in a Callum Carroll cross.
Ten minutes later they added the second when a McCarthy free kick was pushed away by goalkeeper Grimes, but Alex Haugh was following up to bury the rebound from close range and give them a 2-1 lead. Aided by a strong wind advantage, they really required a third goal and two minutes into additional time, they got it when Shaun Gilligan broke through on the left and slotted home from a tight angle.
It was now the turn of the Athenry back four to feel the pressure on the resumption and this they did in comfort.
Despite the work rate and drive of Harrison Quinn, Sean Heaney, Dylan O’Malley and Conor Cannon, Rice College seldom got within sight of goal and indeed only a Cannon shot off the crossbar really threatened Quirke’s goal.
McCarthy, Darragh Burke and Liam Kelly continued to contribute hugely for Athenry and when substitute Liam Leen sidefooted in a Daly cross to make it 4-1 on 76 minutes it certainly ensured that the title was going back to Galway.
After the game, Dom Coll presented the Cup to winning captain Alex Haugh and Presentation Athenry will now face the Ulster champions in the semi-final on March 22nd with Sligo the likely venue.
PRESENTATION COLLEGE, ATHENRY | Dylan Quirke, Thady Moran (Evan Martin 88mins), Adam Molloy (Finnain Coughlan inj-80mins), Alex Haugh, Cian Flannery, Darragh Burke, Callum Carroll (Ronan Jennings 74mins), Daire McCarthy, Liam Kelly (Conor Trehy 82mins) , Tom Daly, Shaun Gilligan (Liam Leen 72mins).
RICE COLLEGE, WESTPORT | Des Grimes, Anto Browne, Conal Dawson, Joe Sweet, Daniel Kelly, Harrison Quinn (Ted Horan 72mins), Ciaran Kilcoyne, Sean Heaney, Adam Nugent (Cian Gill inj- 62 minutes), Dylan O’Malley, Conor Cannon.
MATCH OFFICIAL | Paul Tone (Athlone)
Results
FAI Schools Dr. Tony O’Neill Senior Connacht Cup Final (Under 19, Large Schools)
Rice College, Westport 1-4 Presentation College, Athenry
Athlone Town FC (3G)
Thursday, March 10, KO 12.30pm
FAI Schools Junior ‘B’ Boys National Cup Semi Final (Under 17, Small Schools)
Scoil Ruain, Killenuale 2-1 Gaelcholáiste Reachrann, Domhnach Mide
Killeshin FC, Carlow
Thursday, March 10, KO 1pm
FAI Schools John Murphy Senior ‘B’ National Cup Final (Under 19, Small Schools)
Balla Secondary School, Castlebar vs Coláiste Mhuire, Cabra
Athlone Town FC (3G)
Monday, March 14, KO 12.30pm
FAI Schools Junior ‘B’ Girls National Cup Semi Final (Under 17, Small Schools)
Midleton College vs CBS New Ross
RSC, Waterford
Monday, March 14, KO 1pm
FAI Schools Dr. Tony O’Neill Leinster Senior Cup Semi Final (Under 19, Large Schools)
Templeogue College vs St. Benildus College, Stillorgan
Marley Park (3G)
Monday, March 14, KO 1pm
FAI Schools Leinster Metropolitan League Division Two SOUTH Final
Marian College vs Terenure College
Crumlin United FC
Monday, March 14, KO 1.30pm
FAI Schools Leinster Metropolitan Senior League Division Two Final
St. Joseph’s Fairview vs St. David’s CBS, Artane
Stella Maris
Monday, March 14, KO 1.30pm
FAI Schools Dr. Tony O’Neill Senior Ulster Cup Final (Under 19, Large Schools)
St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny vs Carndonagh Community School
Aileach FC
Tuesday, March 15, KO 12 noon
FAI Schools Senior ‘B’ Girls National Cup Semi Final (Under 20, Small Schools)
Ard Scoil Chiaráin Naofa, Clara vs Midleton College
Two Mile Borris St. Kevin’s FC
Wednesday, March 16, KO 1pm
Centenary Shield (Under 18 Boys’ International)
Republic of Ireland vs Scotland
Home Farm FC, Whitehall
Thursday, March 17, KO 7pm
FAI Schools Dr. Tony O’Neill National Senior Cup Semi Final (Under 19, Large Schools)
St. Eunan’s College / Carndonagh CS vs Presentation College, Athenry
Venue TBC
Tuesday, March 22, KO 1pm
FAI Schools Senior Girls National Cup Final (Under 20, Large Schools)
Presentation SS, Thurles vs Claregalway College
Fairview Rangers AFC, Limerick
Tuesday, March 22, KO 1pm
FAI Schools Junior ‘B’ Boys National Cup FINAL (Under 17, Small Schools)
Coola Post Primary School, Riverstown vs Scoil Ruain, Killenuale
Athlone Town FC (3G)
Wednesday, March 23, KO 1pm
FAI Schools Dr. Tony O’Neill National Senior Cup Semi Final (Under 19, Large Schools)
St. Mary’s CBS, Enniscorthy / Templeogue College / St. Benildus College vs Munster
Venue TBC
Thursday, March 24, KO 1pm
Centenary Shield (Under 18 Boys’ International)
Republic of Ireland vs Northern Ireland
Maginn Park, Buncrana
Thursday, March 31, KO 7pm
FAI Schools Junior Girls National Cup Semi Final (Under 17, Large Schools)
St. Mary’s College, Naas vs Munster
Venue TBC
Thursday, April 7, KO 1pm
Centenary Shield (Under 18 Boys’ International)
England vs Republic of Ireland
Eastleigh
Friday, April 8, KO 7pm
Bob Docherty Cup (Under 15 Girls’ International)
England vs Republic of Ireland
Cochrane Park, Newcastle University
Monday, April 11, KO 4pm
Bob Docherty Cup (Under 15 Girls’ International)
Northern Ireland vs Republic of Ireland
Cochrane Park, Newcastle University
Tuesday, April 12, KO 4pm
Bob Docherty Cup (Under 15 Girls’ International)
Final & Play-Off Games
Cochrane Park, Newcastle University
Thursday, April 14, KO 11am
Centenary Shield (Under 18 Boys’ International)
Wales vs Republic of Ireland
Caernarfon
Thursday, April 21, KO 7pm
