FOOTBALL: St Columb’s College are Danske Bank Schools Cup champions
They defeated St Louis Grammar 5-1 at Coleraine Showgrounds
Last updated 16th Mar 2022
St Columb's College of Londonderry are the 2022 Danske Bank Schools Football Cup champions.
On a mild, sunny afternoon at Coleraine Showgrounds, they strolled to a 5-1 win over Ballymena side St Louis Grammar - for their 12th Danske Bank U18 Schools Cup trophy.
St Columb's came out flying and dominated the early stages of the game, which paid off through a fantastic goal from full-back Rory O'Donnell just before the half-hour mark.
Lewis Harrison then levelled for St Louis, making no mistake from the penalty spot after Shane Deery pulled him down in the area.
Seconds before the half-time whistle, Tiernan McKinney hit a smart free-kick from 20 yards which restored the lead for the Derry side.
Whatever coach Mark Stoltock said in the dressing room at half-time worked, as St Columb's came out once again hungry for more goals.
A third came on 57 minutes when Jack McFeely smashed a fantastic effort in from just inside the box.
St Louis looked shocked and, if it wasn't for the superb performance from keeper Barry McCloskey, it could have been a lot worse.
The Derry school's midfield were on top throughout the 80 minutes, with their slick, quick passing creating numerous attacking opportunities.
McKinney got his second of the day just after 70 minutes, pouncing on a crossfield pass from captain Corey McLaughlin.
McLaughlin was the key man, and deservedly picked up the Player of the Match award.
Rubbing salt in St Louis wounds, St Columb's struck again in the final seconds through McFeely.
St Columb's College: Joe McConnellogue, Rory O'Donnell, Keenan McLaren, Shane Deery (Oran O'Kane 74), Peter Tracey (Oran Kelly 62), Corey McLaughlin, Liam Mullan, Joe Curran (Lee Duddy 74), Jack McFeely, Tiernan McKinney, Cormac Bradley. (Shane Feeney 62).
Subs not used: Sean Carlin, Dylan Watson, Adam Mason, Caolan Hazlett.
St Louis Grammar: Barry McCloskey, Conor McKenna, Bailey Brennan, Oran McMullan, Sam Crawford, Sean O'Callaghan, Conan McAuley, Conor Hastings, Lewis Hector, Lewis Harrison, Dara Martin (Cal O'Brien 58).
Subs not used: Paul O'Boyle, TP McGurk, Ollwier Grzybowski, Kurian Joseph.