Soccer

Carndonagh CS claim FAI Schools Senior Cup

Christy McLaughlin-Fildara’s winner in extra time seals glory for Donegal school

Fri Mar 11 2016 - 20:46

Carndonagh CS 2 PBC, Cork 1 (After extra time)

A stunning extra-time winner by winger Christy McLaughlin-Fildara secured Carndonagh Community School the Bank of Ireland FAI Schools Tony O'Neill Cup at Home Farm FC in Whitehall yesterday.

Presentation College from Cork, better known in sporting circles for their rugby tradition, had brought the Inishowen school to extra-time. But a glut of missed chances ultimately cost the Munster champions in their first ever senior cup final appearance.

Deadlocked at 1-1, the crucial goal arrived five minutes into the first period of added time. McLaughlin-Fildara needed just one touch on the left to control Evan Tweed’s lofted pass before drilling a low volley across the reach of Eoin O’Sullivan and into the far corner.

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David Dalton spurned a couple of golden opportunities to force a penalty shoot-out, nodding over from six yards within moments of the Cork side falling behind and also blazing off -target in the dying minutes.

Penalty spot

Carndonagh had forged ahead midway through the first half from the penalty spot. Tweed was bundled over in the box by Bryan Cotter, enabling Cathal Farren to find the top corner from the resultant spot-kick.

Back came the Cork side who eventually drew level on the stroke of half-time after Douwe Van Sinderen forced the ball home from close-range following a goalmouth scramble.

Dave Barry, son of the ex-Cork City and All-Ireland winner of the same name, created the chance for PBS but his attacking threat was smothered by the northerners, who remained defensively compact whilst dangerous on the break.

Twice McLaughlin-Fildara had the ball in the net only for the efforts to be disallowed and it took a brilliant last-ditch tackle by Bryan Mulcahy to deny Brandon Browne from close-range in the final stages of normal time.

But McLaughlin-Fildara had the last word in extra-time.

CARNDONAGH CS, DONEGAL: D Houghton; J McKinney, S Todd, D Folan, B McEleney; E Tweed, J Lafferty, K Doherty (D McLaughlin 57), C Farren; C McLaughlin-Fildara, B Browne (F McClure 98).

PRESENTATION BROTHERS, CORK: E O'Sullivan; F O'Brien, B Cotter, B Mulcahy, C Maguire; D Van Sinderen (S O'Brien 79), D Grant-Sullivan, E Davis (E O'Leary 109), M Cunningham, D Barry; D Dalton.

Referee: David Buckley (Donegal).