Danske Bank Schools Cup Final: Wonder strikes see Dungannon to maiden victory

Two stunning goals paved the way for Integrated College Dungannon to deservedly lift their first-ever Danske Bank Northern Ireland Schools Cup at Windsor Park this afternoon.

A long-distance effort from Liam Corr in the first half as followed up by an impudent Kenny Ximenes finish from a tight angle in the second as the school, managed by former Glenavon man Mark Patton and coached by ex-Northern Ireland international Michael O'Connor, came out on top.

While the lively Jack McFeely did pull one back late on, it was scant consolation for holders St Columb's College, who never truly got into their stride as they aimed to make it back-to-back titles.

In what was a lively opening to a game played at a frantic pace, both sides tried to get on the attack as much as possible.

However, chances proved few and far between in the first 40 minutes.

But on 24 minutes, it was Integrated College Dungannon who struck first and what a goal it was.

Ethan Nethery slid the ball into the Liam Corr and, spotting St Columb's keeper Joe McConnellogue out of position, Corr fired past him from all of 30 yards

But the holders went close to levelling just four minutes later.

The ball fell to Sean Carlin on the edge of the box on the right, but the St Columb’s skipper’s curling left-foot effort whistled just past the post.

At the other end, Dungannon felt they should have been awarded a penalty when Kenny Ximenes cut in from the right and appeared to be taken down by St Columb’s defender Darragh McCloskey. However, Referee Frankie Shanks was well-placed and waved away the appeals.

St Columb’s nearly equalised in first half stoppage time.

A marauding run into the box on the left from centre-back Peter Tracey ended with him cutting the back into the path of Jack McFeely. But, the ace marksman was denied by a last-gasp block on the six-yard box in what pretty much proved to be the final action of the opening period.

It was Dungannon who had much the better chances of the second half.

After Tommy Teggart had angled his header wide on 54 minutes. They really should have doubled their lead just past the hour mark.

Good work down the left from Jadon Morgan saw him play it low into the box, where it eventually fell to Ethan Nethery eight yards out, but he could only sidefoot wide

Then on 65 minutes, goalscorer Corr drove in an angled cross-shot that flew just wide as Morgan was unable to get the vital touch on it.

But 12 minutes from time, they did the second goal their performance deserved.

And if the first was good, the second was even better.

Winger Kenny Ximenes got inside the box from the right flank, and just when it looked as if the angle was too tight, he somehow squeezed home a wonderful finish.

While Dungannon were content to manage the game out, they were given a scare deep into four minutes of time added on at the end of the match.

That was when McFeely manufactured space for himself brilliantly in the box to fire home. It was the third fine goal of a pulsating game of football, but it proved too little, too late for St Columb's, who were forced to relinquish their crown to the better side on the day

MATCH STATS

Integrated College Dungannon: Beattie, Connolly (McCann 75), McFarland (McWhirter 69), Leek (Magee 69), Donnell. Taggert, Ximenes, McMenemy (Weathered 75), Morgan, Nethery, Corr (Silva 75)

St Columb's College: McConnellogue, Barr, McLaughlin, Tracey, McCloskey, Fitzpatrick, Feeney (Healy 72), Callaghan, McFeely, Carlin, Campbell (McHugh 54)

Subs not used: Duffy, Duddy, Gallagher

Referee: Frankie Shanks