Rice College a class above St Muredach's in Connacht final
Rice College players celebrate after winning the Connacht FAI Schools U-17 Cup final at Umbro Park, Castlebar, today. Picture: David Farrell Photography
Rice College were deservedly crowned FAI Schools Tom Ticher Connacht U17 boys champions after an impressive 3-1 win over St Muredach’s College in Milebush earlier today.
The Ballina boys had the dream start as Kenzie McKee took advantage of some rare slack defending by the boys in blue and he cooly slotted past Michael McDonnell on ten minutes.
It was one-all five minutes later after some clever work by Rian Durkan down the right and his pinpoint cross was steered home by the head of Jack O’Malley.
Both sides cancelled each other out for the remainder of the half but the influence of the Covies, in particular Durkan, O’Malley and Simeon Popov, was growing and it was the latter who put them ahead on 55 minutes as he headed home Ethan McGing corner at the back post.
Muredach’s failed to find a way through a stubborn Rice rearguard and their hearts were broken two minutes before the end as O’Malley bundled in Sean Casey’s cross for glory.
They will meet the Ulster college winners on Tuesday, March 19, in the national semi-final.
