Moran steals show

Barry Moran, with his third hat-trick of the campaign, helped St Mary's, Galway, to their second FAIS Irish Senior Cup at Belfield Park yesterday.

And the Galway United star's three goals ensured that his 17-year-old twin brother and St Mary's skipper Jason gratefully lifted the new Dr Tony O'Neill Trophy, which was presented by the late UCD supremo's mother Mrs Josephine O'Neill.

In an absorbing final, the Galway school looked to be well on their way to adding to their only previous All-Ireland victory in 1988 when they led 2-0 at half-time. But when Jack Beckett converted Liam Heffernan's goal-bound effort in the 55th minute the game hung on a knife-edge as the Dublin school enjoyed their best spell.

However, when Heffernan was red carded midway through the second half, the pendulum swung in St Mary's favour with Moran sealing victory with two excellent strikes in the closing stages.

He bagged his second and the Galway school's third in the 74th minute, blasting home after Ian Burke's initial shot had been charged down. But he saved the best for last to complete his hat-trick in the 85th minute with a stunning 25-yard pile-driver in off the crossbar.

Although Coolmine began brightly it was St Mary's who went ahead in the 25th minute. And not surprisingly Barry Moran was involved as it was his cross, which was headed home by Neal Keane.

Moran - with his first - added the second just a minute before the interval converting a cross from twin brother Jason. And it was no surprise that the Galway school's ace striker would turn out to be the hero with two more in the second half to ensure he went home with not just a winner's medal, but also the match ball.

St Mary's, Galway: Griffin, Clancy, Carroll, O'Neill, Casserly, O'Halloran, Glynn, Burke, Keane, B Moran, J Moran (capt). Subs: Ryan for O'Halloran (63 mins), Donnellan for Keane (88 mins).

Coolmine CS: Fee, Kelly, Lenihan, Hanley, Slattery, Byrne, Barron, O'Brien, Beckett, Cronin, Heffernan. Subs: Brady for Kelly (80 mins), Jordan for Lenihan (80 mins).

Referee: S Meighan (Dublin).