McHugh’s winner helps Patrician, Newbridge end their long wait

Patrician, Newbridge 1 Confey College 0

Good things come to those who wait and Patrician Secondary School in Newbridge have waited 39 years to win the Leinster Senior Cup final.

Daragh McHugh grabbed a dramatic winner against Confey College in the 84th minute to claim the trophy for the first time since 1975.

The sixth year student showed intent to chase a back-pass and blocked down goalkeeper Mick Kelly’s clearance. With Kelly on the ground, McHugh had the freedom of the six-yard box to tap the ball home and send the hundreds of supporters home to Newbridge with smiles on their faces.

Confey had three great chances to take the lead in the second half. Darren Moran poked the impressive Sean Gilbert’s cross just over while Peter Burke’s long ball found its way to the Gilbert on the hour mark, but ’keeper Aaron Masterson saved well when Gilbert looked odds on to score at the back post. Then Andrew Doolin’s low shot was deflected inches wide with ten minutes left.

Goalscorer McHugh explained how his gamble helped get the winning goal:

“I just took a chance and followed in on a back-pass, it was a lucky goal, the ’keeper made a bit of a mistake and it was a great win for us.

“They are a great bunch of lads and this could have been our last game for the school, thankfully we won so we have a few more games.”

Team manager Riadhain McBride, who teaches Geography and Irish at the school, was delighted with the win:

"The key was our concentration for the whole game especially with the wind, we are so proud and I'm a bit emotional. We have worked hard all year and couldn't ask for much better than that. It is an outstanding achievement."
CONFEY COLLEGE, LEIXLIP: Kelly; Conor Dennehy ( Belhout, 86 mins), Burke, Lyons, McGrillen; Ferris, Doolin, Donnelly, Gilbert; Reynolds, Moran ( Aherne, 61 mins).
PATRICIAN, NEWBRIDGE: Masterson; Aldwell, Harte, Kavanagh, Meehan; Glynn (Morris, 65 mins), Burke, Healy, Logan, McHugh; Troy.
Referee: Alan Carey.