Donabte Portrane 5-5 Scoil Uí Chonaill 1-5
Alex Young was the hatrick hero as Donabate Portrane powered to a comfortable victory in the Corn Matt Griffin decider at the Cumann Na mBunscoil finals at Croke Park.
The deadly half forward with the flowing hair took every chance that came his way in a man-of-the-match display on the biggest stage of all against a gallant Scoil Uí Chonaill side.
In an impressive performance, Young, Brian Stenson, Adam Conroy and James Deeney were the standout performers for the northside school.
They got off to a flying start in Croker, their energetic and skilful midfielder Brian Stenson bossing it in the middle while Adam Conroy was lively in attack.
James Deeney scored the opening goal for them and that set them on their way. They wouldn’t look back from there with Young, Liam O’Leary and others soon joining the party.
Donabate/Portrane ET have won the Corn Matt Griffin! @StPatsDonabate @AllianzIreland @cnambnaisiunta pic.twitter.com/RB7JGKjnhz
— CnmB Dublin (@CnmbDublin) October 22, 2018
The one-sided final scoreline may not have been the fairest reflection on this game, however. Scoil Uí Chonaill are a powerful, well-coached side and were it not for some unlucky misses, this game would have been much closer.
Alex Budia was absolutely sublime for the North Richmond Street school. He scored a smashing goal in the second half to compliment his dead-eyed free-taking throughout. Eugene Isong was also influential for the Clontarf school, the centre forward kicking the finest score of the day in the second half.
Pauric Coyle and Mark King can be proud of this Scoil side’s efforts, but the day belonged to Donabate Portrane.
Massive congrats to Donabate Portrane Educate Together. Incredible to play on the hallowed turf of Croke Park but to win puts the icing on the cake. Fantastic, an experience that will never be forgotten. https://t.co/H5LiXnylTj
— Councillor Adrian Henchy (@AdrianHenchy) October 22, 2018
Man of the match: Brian Stenson, Donabate Portrane –
Extremely clever on the ball, Stenson dictated proceedings from midfield in Croker. His range of passing was something else and his speed and composure in possession was a real sight to behold. He’s a real star for the future.
Scoil Uí Chonaill team
Teams: Scoil: 1 Callum Redmond 2 Calvin O’Connor 3 Fahad Omar 4 Conor Meehan 5 Kyle Fox 6 Callum Barry 7 Alex Hilliard 8 Killian Hedderman 9 Jethro Ogunro 10 Adha Ayadi 11 Eugene Isong (0-2) 12 Greg Harford 13 Derek Mc Gucken 14 Lucas Doyle 22 Alex Budia (1-3, 0-2 frees)
Used subs: 19 Aurelion Armon 16 Karl Deans 17 Curtis Egan (0-1)
Managers: Pauric Coyle, Mark King
D.P.E.T.N.S (Donabate Portrane)
1 Max Munro 2 Brian Collins 3 Levi Harley 4 Fionn Hickey 5 Conor O’Leary 6 Callum Gilchrist 7 Sam Duggan (0-2) 8 Brian Stenson 9 Kyle O’Reilly 10 Marcus Downes 11 Adam Conroy 12 Alex Young (3-1) 13 Liam O’Leary (1-0) 14 James Deeney (1-0) 15 Harry O’Mahoney
Used subs: 18 Sean Cope 19 Sam Matterson 20
Managers: Cormac O’Brien, James Rudden
