Coláiste na Coiribe has won its first u-8 FAI Schools (B ) Connacht title.
On Monday in Castlebar it took extra-time to secure the title over a tough and skillful Our Lady’s Belmellet.
Having overcome Sancta Maria, Louisburg by 5-1 in the semi final, Coláiste na Coiribe faced a much harder challenge against the County Mayo school. The game was deadlocked at 1-1 at full time with Colaiste na Coiribe having taken a deserved first-half lead with a well- worked goal. From great work down the left flank by Aindriú de Búrca and Aonghus Ó Dúill, the ball was pulled back to Gearoid Ó Ceannabhain who squared to the unmarked Dean de Páor to finish confidently at the near post.
Our Lady’s Belmullet drew level miday in the second half to set up a tense final quarter, but despite chances at both ends, the game finished level.
Fve minutes into extra time, the Galway school re-took the lead again with a goal by captain Cian MacFhinn. This was followed by Dean de Páor’s second following good approach play by substitute Adam Mac Suirtáin. The game was put beyond doubt early in the second period when Aonghus Ó Dúill dribbled through the Belmellet defence and Fionntán Ó Curraoin added another to send the team to the All Ireland semi-final in the coming weeks.
Coláiste na Coiribe: Seamus Ó Ruflaí, Eoghan Ó Riogán, Cathal Breathnach, Cian Mac Fhinn, Aindriú de Burca, Adam Ó Laoi, Aonghus Ó Dúill, Fionntán Ó Curraoin, Gearóid Ó Ceannabháin, Ciarán Ó Gallachoir, Dean de Paor. Subs. used:Adam Mac Suirtáin, Cillian Ó Gráinne, Seán Óg Ó Leidhinn.
