Kilkenny soccer: Glory for Grennan as College win 10-goal thriller!

Holding their nerve when it mattered most saw Grennan College complete a national hat trick.

The Thomastown school’s never-say-die attitude saw them come from behind on three occasions before they beat Cork’s St Peter’s College on penalties after a 10-goal thriller in Cahir Park.

Going into the game St Peter’s were without talisman Rema Mbakwe, missing through suspension, but they made a promising start, Liam Quinn unleashing a low drive that whistled past the near post on 12 minutes.

However, Peter’s were caught cold when Grennan took the lead two minutes later, Éanna O’Keeffe teeing up Isaac Magnez for the opener.

The Cork side went back on the attack. Grennan ’keeper Alex Begley had to be alert to shots from brothers Golding and Jamie Nduwuba, while Liam Quinn also had a pop at the target. The pressure paid off as they drew level seven minutes before half-time through Ryan Dalton.

Having worked hard to get back on level terms, St Peter’s were quick to take the lead. Golding Nduwuba fired them in front four minutes after the restart as he cut in from the left wing and fired the ball to the far side of the net.

The joy was shortlived as, within two minutes, Grennan were level again as Éanna O’Keeffe hit the net for the College. The momentum was with the Kilkenny side now and they pressed on, Magnez forcing a great save from Jake Walsh.

The frenzied encounter continued with Grennan College working hard to keep pace with the Peter’s assault. The tie swung back in favour of the Cork school when Darragh McCarthy made it 3-2, showing great control to chest the ball down before slotting home on 67 minutes.

Once again Grennan replied, making it 3-3 on 70 minutes when Colm Treacy hit the net from the penalty spot.

Both sides pressed for the winner, with Peter’s going closest when a one-two between Seán Coughlan and Ryan Dalton unlocked the College defence but the shot flashed across the face of goal.

Eleanor Reddy, who won Grennan College's first national title in 1997, with teachers Denis Doyle and Edward Hayden - the men who guided the Thomastown school to glory in 2025

While the opening 90 minutes were exciting, the sides delivered even more entertainment in 20 frenetic minutes of extra-time looming. Passage West maestro Tomas Hanlon headed home from a Hugo Recio corner seven minutes in, but Grennan College equalised just before the break as Seán Denieffe looping header sailed into the top corner. 

The game was 4-4 at half-time in extra-time but it didn’t stay that way for long. Thomastown’s Éanna O’Keeffe netted his second of the afternoon within a minute of the restart to make it 5-4 to Grennan College.

Going into the closing minutes the Kilkenny side maintained that advantage, but St Peter’s were as resolute as their rivals and dug deep. With three minutes to go, they found a way back. Liam Quinn sent his school’s supporters wild with delight when he popped up to level the game for the fifth time.

One of the best Cup finals in the history of the Association would be decided by penalties!

St Peter’s took the early advantage when captain Brian Lenihan and Tomas Hanlon converted their school’s first two kicks. Seán Denieffe did similar for Grennan, but skipper Tyler Nolan saw his effort crash back off the post.

With Liam Quinn and Éanna O’Keeffe hitting the net the Cork side remained in front, but it was all square again when Alex Begley saved Darragh McCarthy’s effort before Darragh Dack made it 3-3 with four kicks apiece completed.

Tadgh McMahon and Grennan ’keeper Alex Begley both had successful attempts converted to ensure 4-4 after the five penalties. More drama was required!

Sudden death saw hero Begley save from Hugo Recio’s effort while Conor Kelly held his nerve to finish high into the net, sparking scenes of celebration from the Grennan team and supporters.

Victory brought Grennan College their third national schools title. Their first came in 1997, when teacher Eleanor Reddy completed the task, her son Michael - who went on to play for Kilkenny City in the League of Ireland and Sunderland in the Premier League - playing a starring role that afternoon in Buckley Park.

Their second national title came for Denis Doyle’s side in 2018 when Colm Whelan, now of League of Ireland side Bohemians, was named Player of the Match as they overcame St. Brendan’s College, Belmullet in Lecarrow. Doyle secured his second and Grennan’s third in the win over St Peter’s, with teacher Edward Hayden joining him at the helm for their heroic John Murphy Cup win.

Grennan College - Alex Begley, Conor Kelly, Seán Denieffe, Tyler Nolan (captain), Tadhg McMahon, Conor Monks, Colm Treacy, Alex Muniz Canal, Éanna O’Keeffe, Isaac Magnez, Darragh Dack. Subs: Odhran McGorry for Treacy, 78 mins; Cian Caulfield for Monks, 110 mins; John Clifford; Daniel Begley; Adam Barden; Fionn Minogue; Jason Keane; Khaled Haddad; Rodriog Aguilar Ramirez; Alrick Rodrigues.

St Peter’s CS - Jake Walsh, James Barry, Golding Nduwuba, Tomás Hanlon, Scott Moynihan, Brian Linehan (captain), Liam Quinn, Hugo Recio, Jamie Nduwuba, Ryan Dalton, Seán Coughlan. Subs: Darragh McCarthy for Barry, 58 mins; Diarmuid Buckley; Ciaran Taffe; Zac O’Hanlon O’Brien; Oisin O’Sullivan; Rafael Ortiz; Cian Lehane; Michael Kula; Paul Canty; Aston Doyle; John Deasy.