St Ciaran’s end 28 year drought

St Ciaran's Kells 1-13

Gallen CS 1-9

St Ciaran’s claimed their first piece of silverware in 28 years as they were crowned North Leinster SF C champions following a thrilling victory over Gallen CS from ferbanein Mullingar. The last time the Kells school lifted a trophy the late Pat Duffy was the driving force behind the success.

Adam O’Brien opened the scoring for St Ciaran’s but Gallen quickly responded. St Ciaran’s were given a huge boost when Jake Madden found the back of the net. Both sides kept their scoreboards ticking over as Madden, Evan Demange, Shane Callaghan and Cian Loughran all contributed for the eventual winners.

Conor Og Ferguson’s work rate in the middle of the park was crucial for St Ciaran’s and their defence did well to keep the Gallen’s attacking threats restricted. At the interval St Ciaran’s led 1-5 to 0-5.

St Ciaran’s came out of the blocks quickly after the break and points from Callaghan, Loughran, Madden and Harte kept their tally ticking over. After 50 minutes, St Ciaran’s led 1-11 to 0-7 before Gallen brought themselves right back into the contest when they scored 1-2 in quick succession.

Madden added to his tally before St Ciaran’s dealt well with a dangerous ‘45’ that was dropped into the large rectangle. Demange then secured the insurance point as the final whistle ended St Ciaran’s long wait for a trophy, much to the delight of the squad and supporters.

As a collective, the whole team was excellent on the day. Goalkeeper Caoimhin Jordan and the full-back line of Charlie Lynch, Eoin Ennis and Shane Callaghan kept the dangerous Gallen full-forward line quiet. Shane Bennett, Sean McMahon, Evan Demange and Jake Coyne dominated the middle sector while Adam O’Brien, Conor Og Ferguson, David Daly and Cathal Donoghue worked tirelessly on the wings.

Jake Madden, Luke Harte and Cian Loughran caused problems for the Ferbane rearguard throughout. Substitutes Liam Farrelly and Cian Madden injected some much-needed energy in the closing stages.

Next up for St Ciaran’s is a clash with the winners of the Dublin final between Oatlands College and St Paul’s College in the Leinster semi-final.

St Ciaran’s Kells: Caoimhin Jordan (Gaeil Colmcille); Charlie Lynch (Ballinlough), Shane Callaghan (Gaeil Colmcille 0-2), Eoin Ennis (Carnaross); Adam O’Brien (Drumbaragh 0-1), Shane Bennett (Moynalty), David Daly (Moynalty); Evan Demange (Drumbaragh 0-2), Sean MacMahon (Moynalty); Conor Og Ferguson (Gaeil Colmcille), Jake Coyne (Cortown), Cathal Donoghue (Moynalty); Luke Harte (Ballinlough 0-1), Jake Madden (Drumbaragh 1-3), Cian Loughran (Cortown 0-4).

Subs - Liam Farrelly (Carnaross) for Donoghue, Cian Madden (Cortown) for Daly. Callum Reilly (Ballinlough), Tom Treacy (Drumbaragh) Hugh O’Reilly (Carnaross), Dan O’Brien (Ballinlough), Gavin Clarke (Cortown), Robert O’Brien (Ballinlough), Luke Quinn (Drumbaragh), Odhran McMahon(Moynalty), Dara Brennan (Drumbaragh), Zak Boshell (Gaeil Colmcille), Dillon Glynn (Gaeil Colmcille), Aaron Lynch (Moynalty), Jack McCormack (Drumbaragh), Connor Finn(Carnaross), Henry McCormack (Drumbaragh), Kian Fitzsimons (Cortown), Darragh Smith (Carnaross).