Knockbeg College reach Leinster 2nd Year Football Final after stunning second-half fightback
The school's second-year footballers got the better of Colaiste Mhuire Mullingar
Knockbeg College's 2nd year footballers produced an outstanding second-half comeback to secure their place in the Leinster 'A' Final, overturning a Colaiste Mhuire Mullingar side who made full use of a strong opening-half breeze.
Mullingar struck early, with Ben Loughlin converting a placed ball before Fionn Bradley, playing inside despite wearing number nine, landed a two-point score. A Knockbeg response was cancelled out when Patrick Wallace pointed off a 45 that dropped short, moving Mullingar 0-4 to 0-1 ahead.
Knockbeg settled well and momentum swung when Ethan Lawlor claimed a crucial kick-out, allowing Frankie Doyle to finish clinically to the net. Despite enjoying a strong spell and missing a clear goal chance, Knockbeg were punished as Mullingar countered for three unanswered points. A late score from Evan Brennan reduced the deficit, but Mullingar led 0-7 to 1-2 at half-time.
Two early frees from Loughlin extended Mullingar’s lead after the restart. Aidan Fitzharris replied for Knockbeg, who then survived a major scare when goalkeeper Sam McElroy-Norman produced an excellent save. Another Fitzharris free closed the gap, but Mullingar again moved three clear at 0-10 to 1-4.
The decisive spell followed as Evan Brennan surged forward and delivered a perfectly weighted hand-pass across goal, which Harry Buitelaar flicked to the net with 15 minutes remaining. Mullingar failed to score again and with the breeze now in Knockbeg's favour, Fionn Harris landed a superb two-point free to edge his school ahead before Mark Kennedy’s incisive pass released Fitzharris, who finished calmly to the net.
Knockbeg defended resolutely in the closing stages. A huge intervention from Conor Whelan, who won possession on his own 65 and carried the ball deep into opposition territory, led to Mullingar full-back James Nea receiving a black card for a rugby tackle with Harris converting the resulting free.
Despite missing further chances, Knockbeg closed out a deserved victory, with McElroy-Norman adding another fine save late on. The win books their place in the Leinster Final, where they face Coláiste Eoin Stillorgan on Thursday at 12.30pm, in a Kildare venue.
Knockbeg College 3-7
Colaiste Mhuire Mullingar 0-10
Scorers – Knockbeg: Fionn Harris 0-5 (1 two-point free, 0-2 frees), Aidan Fitzharris 1-1 (0-1 free), Frankie Doyle and Harry Buitelaar 1-0 each, Evan Brennan 0-1.
KNOCKBEG: Sam McElroy-Norman (Arles-Kilcruise); Dara Kavanagh (Stradbally), Padraic Hogan (Fighting Cocks), Liam Hyde (Ballylinan); Oliver Hughes (O’Dempsey’s), Evan Brennan (Killeshin), Jake Kelly (Ballylinan); Conor Whelan (Palatine), Harry McNamara (Killeshin); Harry Buitelaar (Castledermot), Mark Kennedy (Ballylinan), Frankie Doyle (Leighlinbridge); Fionn Harris (Arles-Killeen), Aidan Fitzharris (Palatine), Ethan Lawlor (Palatine). Subs: George Conway (Arles-Kilcruise) for Hughes (43 mins), Darragh Maher (Palatine) for Lawlor (58 mins).