Christian Brothers College, Cork added the FAI Schools Dr. Tony O’Neill National Senior Cup to their impressive trophy hall defeating Coláiste Bhaile Chláir in Mounthawk Park, Tralee.

There was nothing separating the sides as they played out an enthralling one all draw after extra time for CBC to eventually win out 4-2 on penalties.

The ten men of Cork saw their goalkeeper Harry WALSH keep them in the game as well as his counterpart Charlie GREENE in Claregalway, both netminders were exceptional between the posts to ensure the scoreline was at a minimum. 

Such as his heroics, Greene had to be taken off in extra-time to be assessed for concussion. While WALSH was the hero at the end, saving two spot kicks while Captain Finn Dalton, Dónal O’Connor, Max Murphy, and Calum Carroll all converted for the Munster side. 

It was a tense finish to proceedings which saw goalscorer Aidan O’Shea see red just before the half time interval of extra time following his second yellow card infringement but the Cork School managed to contain the Claregalway attack and force the game to penalties. 

There were a few chances in the opening period as Captain Jack Kelly imposed himself on proceedings as well as shots from the hardworking David McLaughlin and Kalen Ainsworth for the Connacht kingpins. While Cork’s Dónal O’Connor who returned from injury was lively alongside Conor Burke, but the stalemate remained for over an hour. 

Cork’s super sub, Aidan O’SHEA who was only on the park ten minutes when he broke the deadlock on 66 minutes. He latched onto a rebounded clearance after Hickey’s initial attack was thwarted by some strong Galway defence. The youngster cutting in from the right flank to riffle the ball to the top corner. 

A mix up in the Cork defence led to an equaliser for the Galway scholars six minutes later. A set piece that wasn’t cleared, had Cathal HEAVEY in the right place to poke home, 1-1 with eighteen minutes remaining. 

Unfortunately, neither side could find the elusive winner as the game went to extra-time. The drama continued late on with the dismissal of O’Shea just before the break in extra time while Greene was replaced by O’Gorman on the resumption.  

The sub keeper Aaron O’Gorman had to be react swiftly to deny a brilliant chance from the talented Liam Lynch for CBC. 

While moments later, Coláiste Bhaile Chláir talisman David McLaughlin saw his effort ricochet off the post and across the goalmouth, somehow trailing out! The final whistle blew for an exciting penalty shoot-out to ensue.   

The Cork side held their nerve converting all four while Claregalway missed their second and fourth to ultimately see Christian Brothers College lift the trophy. A first for the rugby powerhouse.

Christian Brothers College, Cork: Harry Walsh, Emmet Coughlan, Ben Phillips (Calum Carroll 103), Max Murphy, Larry Butler, Liam Lynch, Darragh Morley (Aidan O'Shea 56), Finn Dalton, Conor Burke (Luke O’Keeffe 94), Dónal O’Connor, Tom Hickey (Shane Kavanagh 73).
Substitutes Not Used: David Callanan, James O'Mahoney, Charlie O'Riordan, Adam O’Brien, Rossa Kinirons, Evan Coughlan, Jack Mills, Coleton Corkery, Darragh Lawless, Oisín McCarthy, Jack Punch, Tom McGrath
Teachers: Stephen Hogan, Lee Moore 
Coach: Seánie O’Donovan

Coláiste Braille Chláir: Charlie Greene (Aaron O’Gorman 101), Matthew Casey (Brian McHugh 91), Ruairí Flaherty, Darragh Killian, Daniel Murphy, Michael Bradbury (Cian Meehan 91), Dylan Rabbitte, Jack Kelly, David McLaughlin, Cathal Heavey (Evan McDonagh 84), Kalen Ainsworth.
Substitutes Not Used:  Lewis Carr, Aaron Wall, Josh Hanly, Eoghan Parker
Teachers: Conor Tivnan, Liam Hayes 
Nutritionist: Sinead Bradbury

Referee: Darren O’Rourke (Kerry).