Coláiste Rís grabbed goals at crucial moments to defeat a gallant Ballymackenny College

Leinster PPS Senior Football 'D1' Section 1 (North) 

Coláiste Rís 3-9 Ballymackenny College 1-10

That old adage of ‘goals win games’ was in evidence in Darver on Tuesday afternoon as Coláiste Rís grabbed goals at crucial moments to fend of a gallant Ballymackenny College, despite a late fightback from the Drogheda side, who are improving year upon year, and slowly but surely establishing themselves as a competitive force in schools football in Louth.

With four starters on the Coláiste Rís side featuring for the Dundalk Gaels who lined out in that under 19 championship final before Christmas, and several others featuring at adult level for their clubs, the Dundalk side were probably favourites to prevail in this encounter, with their victory over Lennon Cup finalists and local rivals the Marist adding to their favourites tag.

The Dundalk side managed by Jack Mac Namee and Brendan Griffin, did not play like a side carrying that level of expectation, getting off to the perfect start when Michael O’Brien calmly slotted home for the opening major after 2 minutes, with Tony McDonnell heavily involved in the build-up.

Finishing with 28 possessions over the hour, Tony McDonnell was once again influential for his side, and a free from the Gaels forward, was followed by a fine score from Conan Fox in a move which started with a fine interception in defence by Sean Boyle, which led to McDonnell and O’Brien combining with Darragh Conlon for Fox’s point, as Coláiste Rís lead by 1-2 to 0-1 early on.

With senior Dundalk Gaels and Louth county panellist Dylan McKeown in attendance in Darver, the thoughts of an attacking line of McDonnell with McKeown should leave Gaels supporters hopeful for the future, as part of a very exciting young side coming through the ranks.

Credit to Ballymackenny managed by Jamie McDonnell and Dylan McGarrity, as they kept in touch thanks mainly to the exploits of forward Ryan Nugent.

Nugent who scored a goal when these sides met in the Lennon Shield before Christmas, kept his side in the game, with some fine scores, including an early mark to leave just three between the sides inside 10 minutes.

Ryan Nugent’s fine shooting, coupled with a free from his Newtown Blues colleague Jack Healy, kept the Drogheda side hanging onto their opponents’ coattails at 1-6 to 0-4 approaching half time.

What had preceded this was Coláiste Ris’ Tony McDonnell earning and scoring a free, one of 8 free kicks won by the Gaels player on the day, while Michael O’Brien made clever use of that breeze, with a stylish strike from range.

McDonnell also combined with Conor McKenna to set up Patrick O’Connell for a fine score from play, while Darragh Conlon gave the team in blue a six point lead, as the Lennon Shield winners made the most of that first half wind advantage. O’Connell was another player to feature on that Dundalk Gaels under 19 side, including Tom Mahon, Ryan Del Duca, and of course McDonnell, as well as long term absentee Padraic Tinnelly.

Tony McDonnell showcased his prowess from play with another white flag, to restore that six point lead heading into half time.

Just before the break, St Josephs’ Michael O’Brien turned provider for Sean Lambert who netted Coláiste Rís’ second major.

Lambert had earlier been denied by Ballymackenny’s Brandon Gough Smith, but he could do nothing about Lambert’s second opportunity, which left nine between the sides at half time, on a 2-7 to 0-4 scoreline.

Second Half:

In their semi-final victory over the Marist, Sean Lambert who returned for the first time this season from injury, entered the fray at half time, and his two goals were crucial to his side’s victory that day.

Six minutes into the second half, and Lambert was at it again. With his imposing presence at the edge of the square meaning that the CBS could go direct if needs be, and when Tony McDonnell was denied by Gough Smith, Lambert tapped the loose ball home to seemingly have his side out of sight at 3-8 to 0-4.

That goal arrived either side of two more McDonnell strikes, and it appeared as if the outcome was all but decided as 3-9 to 0-4.

However, McDonnell’s strike in the 41st minute was the final notch registered from Coláiste Rís as Ballymackenny eventually began to make inroads into that deficit, with Coláiste Rís registering 3 scores from 10 shots in that second half.

Cillian Browne who came off this pitch with plenty of credit kicked two fine points, one of them a candidate for score of the day from distance, while defender Joshua Esanbor was an imposing presence for the Drogheda side, as well as proving effective when moved further up the pitch, helping his school win 6 out of 12 on their opponent’s kickout in that second period, with that breeze also playing a part.

A goal from Ryan Kelly had Coláiste Rís supporters a little worried, as their side missed further goal opportunities, when maybe taking the point was the more sensible option, with Ballymackenny’s Brandon Gough Smith making some fine saves.

Coláiste Rís were also thankful to defender Ryan Del Duca whose timely intervention to cut out a pass in behind his defence was also crucial to his side seeing the game out, alongside Conor Caraher and Sean Boyle.

Scores from Ballymackenny’s Ryan Kelly, Ryan Nugent and Jack Healy did close the gap to five points, but it was too little too late as Coláiste Rís took home the D1 North Leinster competition, to go with their Lennon Shield triumph earlier on this season.

Coláiste Rís: Tom Mahon; Ryan Del Duca, Conor Caraher, Sean Boyle; Sean Hoey, Patrick O’Connell (0-1), Finn Carter; Conor McKenna, Darragh Conlon (0-1); Byron Carolan, Tony McDonnell (0-5) (3f), Harry Kierans; Conan Fox (0-1), Sean Lambert (2-0), Michael O’Brien (1-1).

Subs: Luke O’Connell for Fox (37), Sean Marron for O’Brien (42), John Callaghan for Hoey (48), Jack McLoughlin for O’Connell (53), Patrick O’Connell for Kierans (56).

Ballymackenny College: Brandon Gough Smith; Joshua Esanbor, Adam Kirwan, Comhall Ferriter; Conor Browne, Cillian Browne (0-2), Ryan Kelly (1-0); Eric Winters, Ciaran Hickey; Tadgh Grey, Jack Healy (0-2) (1f), Flynn Richardson; Charlie McDonnell, Ryan Nugent (0-5) (3f) (1 mark), Ryan Healy (0-1).

Subs: Thomas McKiernan for Richardson (40), Jack Daly for Esanbor (42), Ryan Gilchrist for Grey (46), Cillian Smyth for McDonnell (47).

Referee: Stephen Devlin.