Rice College win All-Ireland U-19 soccer title after extraordinary contest

FAI SCHOOL SENIOR A CUP FINAL

Rice College 2 Blackrock College 2

(Rice College win 5-4 on penalties)

In Athlone

HOW does one put words on this? 

I’m not sure there has ever been a more dramatic national final than this absolute epic which captivated the large attendance from start to finish.

In truth, either team could have gone home with the famous trophy, and it was devastating for a superb Blackrock College outfit that they were the vanquished at the end of a roller-coaster penalty shoot-out, but it was Rice College’s day – Mayo’s day and Connacht’s day.

WATCH: Incredible scenes as Mayo school win FAI Schools Cup

The match itself was a bending, twisting battle that began with Blackrock on the front foot with their excellent captain Geordy Lavin to the fore. They were the better team in the opening half, but couldn’t find a breakthrough and Rice were a team transformed after the resumption.

The Mayo boys took the lead after 61 minutes when a superb move down the left ended with Jack O’Malley with the ball at his feet in the box. He slipped it sideways to Rian Durkan, and the recipient set the net shaking with a stunning finish.

Blackrock needed a response and got it when centre-half Cormac Sheahan nodded home a corner from the left. That eventually took the game to extra time and once again Rice seemed to have it won.

A crossfield delivery from Cillian McGing sent Rian Durkan in around the back and he finished superbly to send his side’s supporters wild with just minutes remaining.

^{Rian Durkan of Rice College celebrates after scoring in the FAI Schools U-19 Dr Tony O’Neill Cup Final} 

The Blue Brigade were on the edge of history, but the cup was wrenched from them in the cruelest of fashions.

A free kick in deepest injury time was drilled to the net by Lavin and the raucous army of Blackrock supporters went wild.

The final whistle sounded seconds later and a penalty shoot-out was required. That’s when an entirely different level of drama arrived.

Rice College hit the front when Evan Durkan dinked the ball home and Michael McDonnell saved Lavin’s effort. Rice continued to lead but then two fine saves from Blackrock ‘keeper Ronan French left his colleague Peter Walsh with a kick to win it.

However, his shot came back off the crossbar and Rice College were saved. Team captain Alex Halpin put the Westport school a goal up and when Harry Weir's effort flew wide, Rice were champions of Ireland amid scenes of wild, unique and unbridled joy.

A full report and after-match reaction will be carried in Tuesday’s Mayo News.