FAI Schools Senior Cup - St Mary's Col, Galway 2 Salesian Col, Newbridge 1:ST MARY'S College from Galway city captured the FAI Schools Senior Cup title in dramatic fashion when they scored the match-winner in the final minute of extra-time at Flancare Park in Longford yesterday.
The game seemed destined for penalties before striker Tony Ward ran on to a long throw from Shane Maughan, held off two challenges and rounded the goalkeeper before blasting the ball into the roof of the net.
The goal secured the title for St Mary’s for the fourth time and meant a second losing final appearance in three years for the Kildare school.
The Galway school enjoyed the better chances in the opening half but it was scoreless at the break.
St Mary’s struck just 20 seconds after the restart when winger Seán Glynn did superbly to meet a cross from the right by his skipper Barry McEntee and send a downward header into the bottom right corner.
Salesian equalised 15 minutes from the end. Mary’s failed to clear their lines and after an effort from Bryan Bonyo came back off the crossbar, Michael O’Grady was on hand to finish low into the bottom left corner.
It remained scoreless throughout extra-time until Ward struck to seize the title for the Connacht champions.
ST MARY'S COLLEGE:Burke; Gallagher, Walsh, Casserly, Keogh; O'Barra (Lavelle 102), Lomboto, McEntee, Glynn; Maughan, Ward.
SALESIAN COLLEGE:McNamara; Kane, Markey, Boyle, Llunga (Phillips 49); Smyth, Brown, O'Grady, Molloy (Markey 65); Conway, Bonyo.
Referee:Paul Tone (Athlone).
