Double joy for Ballynoe in dramatic day of Sciath na Scol action

The boys and girls of Ballynoe both took the spoils.

Denis Bohane making the presentation to Ballynoe National School players Sara O'Connell and Kate Hegarty at the Sciath na Scol Championship DGF8 football final at Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Picture Dan Linehan

There was double joy for Ballynoe in Thursday's resheduled Sciath na Scol football action at SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

Inspired by Ciara O’Connell (0-5) and Sophie Hegarty (2-1), who had all their scores, the Ballynoe girls defeated a battling Curraglass team by 2-6 to 2-3 in the GDF8 final.

The impressive Aideen O’Connell had 1-3 for Curraglass, with Holly Harpur grapping the other goal from a tight angle.

Diego Alonso scores the match winning goal for Shanagarry against Ballintotas in the F4 final of the Allianz Sciath na Scol final; Ballintotas vs Shanagarry at SuperValu Pairc Ui Chaoimh. Picture Larry Cummins

The Ballynoe boys ensured double celebrations with a narrow 1-5 to 1-3 win over Ballintemple in the DF8 final.

Robbie Pietropaolo fired 1-2 for the winners, with Ronan Geaney contributing 0-3. Charlie Mahony bagged 1-1 for Ballintemple with Peter McLoughlin getting 0-2.

Ballintemple piled on the pressure in the final minute, and almost scored a goal, which would have given them the win, but credit to Ballynoe who held on and defended superbly.

Shanagarry came good in the second half to beat Ballintotas in the F4 final by 1-6 to 1-2.  

Ballintotas burst out of the traps and scored 1-1 in the opening two minutes with Emily O’Doherty landing an excellent point followed by a goal from Fionn Kelleher.

Scoreless at the break, Shanagarry got motoring when Padraig Riordan pointed twice. Ryan McPhilipps then had his shot on goal parried over by Ballintotas keeper Conor Cullinane.

Goalscorer Charlie Mahony in action for Ballintemple NS, Crab Lane against Luke Kearney, Ballynoe NS Boys in the DF8 final of the Allianz Sciath na Scol finals at SuperValu Pairc Ui Chaoimh. Picture Larry Cummins

Fionn Kelleher and Riordan traded scores amid a welter of excitement. 

With three minutes remaining, Shanagarry took the lead for the first time when Riordan and Diego Alonso wrapped up the win with a goal in the closing stages.

Scoil Mhuire Ballincollig struck late to pip Bunscoil Chríost Rí 1-5 to 1-4 in the GF2 final.

Aoife Wilkes, Ballynoe National School kicks the ball away under pressure from Aideen O'Connor, Curraglas National School during the Sciath na Scol Championship DGF8 football final at Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Picture Dan Linehan

Ciara Cantillon Ní Mhurchu's 1-1 and a point from captain Anna Ní Mhurchú had Scoil Mhuire ahead at the break, with Chriost Ri’s goal scored by the game’s stand-out player Shona White.

Scoil Mhuire Ballincollig players celebrate their win over Bunscoil Chriost in the Sciath na Scol Championship Urban GF2 football final at Páirc Uí Chaoimh. Picture Dan Linehan

White finished with all her school's scores, but Scoil Mhuire had top performances from Sophia Perez, Emma Lancaster, and Anna Ní Mhurchú to take the win.