Denieffe header helps Grennan grab place in national final

A late, late strike saw Grennan College stun Ulster kingpins PCC Falcarragh and book their place in the John Murphy Cup final.

Sean Denieffe was the man of the moment, heading home an injury-time goal that gave the Thomastown school a dramatic win in Oriel Park, Dundalk.

In a game everyone expected to go to extra-time, Denis Doyle’s side netted the winner right at the death. It was a frenetic end to a frenzied game, where two goals inside the last few minutes that had everyone on the edge of their seats.

Grennan made a good impression early on with an Éanna O’Keeffe free-kick and a Seán Denieffe header on target making Falcarragh netminder Caolan O’Reilly the busier of the two ’keepers with some fine saves in the opening quarter of an hour.

Falcarragh were dealt a blow when manager Packie Doohan was forced into an early change after the impressive David Geaney limped off, to be replaced by Stephen Curran with 19 minutes on the clock.

Conor Stewart sparked Falcarragh into life when he smashed the crossbar five minutes later. This attempt was shortly followed up by a nice strike from Ronan McGee which forced Alex Begley into an excellent save.

Grennan’s Tadgh McMahon had a snapshot on goal but O’Reilly got down well to gather.

Isaac Magner had a sneaky shot at the far post but again Caolan O’Reilly was equal to the challenge two minutes from the break as the teams headed into the interval scoreless.

Thomastown number one Alex Begley made a good interception to deny Callagher Friel from a set-piece just over the hour mark as both sides were creating some lovely chances.

The breakthrough came in the 65th minute as Colm Treacy’s initial strike was blocked down but Éanna O’Keeffe was on hand to slot home the rebound for a 1-0 lead to the Leinster starlets.

Grennan looked to be seeing the game out with some slow build up play from the back but PCC always looked dangerous on the counter.

The Donegal crew got their equaliser five minutes from time thanks to a wonderful strike from Jack Gallagher. He delivered a fabulous individual effort, weaving his way through the Kilkenny defence before slotting past the diving Begley.

Momentum seemed to be swaying to Falcarragh following the goal but Grennan managed to get a few free kicks in Falcarragh’s half to settle themselves. The winner came from one of these as Seán Denieffe headed home the match winner in the 91st minute.

Falcarragh conceded defeat by the narrowest of margins, a wonderful display from both sides as Grennan just edged the contest overall with some brilliant periods of play.

The talented Thomastown squad now march on to the FAI Schools John Murphy Senior ‘B’ National Cup decider against current holders, Cork’s St Peter’s Community College from Passage West. That game will be played in Cahir Park on Wednesday, February 5, with a 1pm kick-off.

Grennan College - Alex Begley, Conor Kelly, Seán Denieffe, Tyler Nolan (captain), Tadhg McMahon, Conor Monks, Colm Treacy, Alex Muniz, Éanna O’Keeffe, Isaac Magner, Darragh Dock.

Sub: Odhran McGorry for Magner, 90 mins.

PCC Falcarragh - Caolan O’Reilly, Dylan Kavanagh, Tarlach Coll, Jack Gallagher, Carragher Friel, Caolan McNulty (captain), Ronan McGee, David Geaney, Tomás O’Reilly, Donncha Boyle, Conor Stewart.

Subs: Stephen Curran for Geaney, 19 mins; Shane Curran for T O’Reilly, 72 mins.

Referee - David Hughes (Louth).