WEXFORD CBS   3

HOLY ROSARY    2

Daire Walsh in Clonshaugh

THERE was heartbreak for Holy Rosary College, Mountbellew at the AUL Complex in Clonshaugh last Wednesday as Micheal O’Donnell’s side fell to a last-gasp defeat against Wexford CBS in the FAI Schools Dr Tony O’Neill National Cup decider.

Despite being 2-0 adrift with just 25 minutes gone on the clock, Holy Rosary subsequently forced themselves back into the reckoning either side of the half-time break. The momentum appeared to be with the Connacht outfit when Ryan Nolan superbly grabbed an equaliser moments after Wexford netminder Shay O’Leary had been red carded, but their Slaneyside counterparts dug deep with 10 men.

Introduced with 15 minutes of normal time remaining, Rory Gilbert fired home a stoppage-time goal that ultimately secured the title for the Leinster champions.

This was a cruel way for Holy Rosary – who, like their opponents, were seeking a maiden title in this competition – to lose out, but it remains a memorable year for the school. Their spirit and never-say-attitude was on full display throughout and it was a game that could easily have swung in their favour.

Originally set to take place at Home Farm FC in Whitehall on Dublin’s northside, the pitch was eventually deemed unplayable a short while before the expected kick-off time of 1pm. Following a frantic scramble to find an alternative venue – rather than delaying the final for a future date – it was decided to switch the game to AUL for 3pm on the same day.

The start time was subsequently brought forward to 2.45pm and while the lack of cover meant supporters from both schools were caught up in the rain, the pitch’s all-weather surface ensured the final could go ahead.

For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.

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