Mayo school win thrilling final with stunning last-minute goal

CONNACHT FA SCHOOLS U-19 C FINAL

Our Lady's Belmullet 3

Dunmore Community School 2

In Castlebar

It was always going to take something special to separate these two highly-talented teams, but few could have imagined the stunning strike which set Erris hearts on fire in Umbro Park Milebush today. A minute from the end of normal time in a game which entertained from first whistle to last, Conor Conmy sent a 25-yard screamer to the top corner of the Dunmore net to win the title for Belmullet and unleash scenes of wild delight.

In truth, Dunmore could have easily gone home with the trophy. They were excellent throughout and created numerous chances but Our Lady's refused to yield and were much more clinical when chances came their way.

Team captain Oisin Reilly put the Erris boys in front after 21 minutes when he turned Kian Carey's cross to the net. They held onto the lead until a minute before half-time when Ramann Saman fired a shot past the excellent Leo Reuland. The Galway students almost hit the front seconds later, but Robert Flynn's brilliant effort came back off the crossbar.

Dunmore began the second half on the front foot with the excellent Josh Farnham impressing in the middle of the pitch. However, once again, Our Lady's hit them where it hurts. Gavin McAndrew chased a lost cause to force a corner on the right. Kian Carey sent a delivery into the heart of the Dunmore goalmouth and midfield maestro, Luke McManamon rose highest to plant a header in the back of the net.

The Galway students were rattled by the concession but their decision to introduce Niall Heneghan, the Roscommon GAA U-20 star, from the bench was to pay rich dividends. Within moments of his introduction he headed Barry Murray's corner to the net and Dunmore were on the front foot from then on.

The boys in green and black poured forward and it required great resilience and steady nerves from the Erris boys to keep them out. The game seemed to be headed for extra-time as the 89th minute arrived but a long Our Lady's clearance was chased down by Kyle Healy. The ball fell kindly to Conor Conmy who was on yet another lung-bursting support-run up the pitch. The tall striker took a moment before connecting perfectly with the ball to send it screaming into the roof of the net.

It was a goal worthy of any stage - a goal which will live in lore forever more - and a goal which sent the Erris supporters wild with delight.

There were still three more minutes to play before the end, but Our Lady's were bound for glory and nothing was going to stop them at that stage. The final whistle unleashed scenes of great joy as the team managed by Harry Reilly and Joe McNulty celebrated a momentous win under cloudless skies.

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