St Columb's secure 10th Senior Cup title after stunning comeback

St Columb's College v St Joseph's (Derry)

St Columb's College celebrate victory with the the Malcolm Brodie Challenge Trophy in the Inspiresport Senior U16 Cup during the Inspiresport Schools Football Finals Day at the Ballymena Showgrounds
Picture by Brian Little/Presseye — St Columb's College v St Joseph's (Derry) St Columb's College celebrate victory with the the Malcolm Brodie Challenge Trophy in the Inspiresport Senior U16 Cup during the Inspiresport Schools Football Finals Day at the Ballymena Showgrounds Picture by Brian Little/Presseye

A stunning second half comeback ensured St Columb’s College were crowned N. Ireland Senior Cup champions for a record 10th time at the Ballymena Showgrounds.

The Buncrana Road school found themselves a goal down in the early stages of this afternoon’s showpiece against Derry rivals, St Joseph’s Boys School as Emmett McGilloway found the back of the net.

However, St Columb’s fought back in the second half through Jack McLaughlin’s close range volley before Conor O’Donnell scored from a header from a corner kick.

The College threatened to go further ahead but St Joseph’s keeper, Oisin Burke saved from the penalty spot to keep the Creggan men in the game.

But a magnificent solo effort from Aaron McGurk in injury time who won the ball at the halfway line and carries it the whole way before slotting the ball home to secure a superb win for St Columb’s and the completion of their second successive N. Ireland Cup ‘double’ following the Minor team’s win earlier this morning.