McAlevey strikes late for Aidan’s

St Aidan’s Community College, Cork claimed the Umbro FAI Schools Dr Tony O’Neill Boys’ Cup in dramatic fashion yesterday at Tallaght Stadium through Anthony McAlevey’s late winner.

The striker settled the thrilling contest five minutes from the finish when he turned on a left-wing cross from Alan Hosford and poked the ball past goalkeeper Kevin Dunne.

Malahide’s impressive first-half display yielded a 37th-minute opener as Colm Curtis beat Chris Mullane in the Saints goal with a curling effort from the edge of the box.

The tie burst into life once Gary Buckley equalised with a header on 58 minutes. St Aidan’s then went in front two minutes later when Hosford’s shot found the net via the back post.

A minute later, Malahide made it 2-2 through Dylan Cashin’s penalty but they lost substitute Jamie Walsh to a straight red card for violent conduct following an altercation as his team-mate prepared to take the spot-kick.

Extra-time looked inevitable until McAlevey struck his second but it took a superb save by Mullane from Cashin’s volley two minutes from the finish to secure St. Aidan’s their first national silverware.

ST. AIDAN’S CC, CORK: C Mullane; S O’Callaghan (P McCauliff 39), K Allen, G Gould (R Meaney 85), C Long; E Kearney, G Buckley, D Murphy, C Boyle (S Waters 59); A McAlevey, A Hosford.

MALAHIDE CC, DUBLIN: K Dunne; J Ferguson, F Cahill, C Callaghan, C Curtis; E Harold, S Woods, M Brennan (J Walsh 58 mins), C McGahon; D Cashin, C Mullarkey.

Referee: Brian Whelan (Dublin).