All Ireland Vocational Schools Championship

Lemlin

I'd just like to say congratulations to my old secondary school Virginia Vocational School in Cavan. At the weekend they beat a team from Galway (not sure who it was) to make their way into the All Ireland Vocational Schools final at minor level.

They've already won the Ulster championship by beating last year's champions, a team from Tyrone.

The final is against Bandon from Cork and AFAIK is scheduled to be played in Thurles.

Lemlin

Hoganstand.com have finally put up a report:

http://www.hoganstand.com/cavan/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=59210

After what was a disappointing week for Cavan football, with the county senior side losing at home to Waterford in the NFL on Sunday 9th April in Kingspan/Breffni Park, and the minors losing out to Down in the Ulster Minor League at Newry on the previous day, there was good news on Tuesday last – 11th of April – when Virginia College, the reigning Ulster U-18 vocational schools football champions produced a great second-half comeback to overcome a determined Colaiste Colmchille, Invererin in the All-Ireland semi-final played at St. Brigid’s Park, Kiltoom on a scoreline of 3-8 to 1-9.

In what was a highly competitive and thrilling encounter, the Virginia side were mostly in control, except in a 12 minute spell after the interval when the Colaiste Colmchille side fought back to reduce an eight point half-time deficit to two.

The Virginia side regained the initiative in the closing quarter and playing some great attacking football went to win the game convincingly, and reach the All-Ireland decider.

Virginia College have now won four Ulster titles at this grade - in 1975, when they went on to reach the All-Ireland final - 1988, 1990 and 2006. However, under the guidance of coach, Niall Lynch they hope to go all the way this season, and their form not alone in this semi-final win, but throughout the season suggests they are a side improving all the time.
The winners dominated play in the opening half after the Colaiste Colmchille side had taken an early two points lead. A goal from A. Cole in the 7th minute seemed to settle them down, and they went on to lead at the break by 2-5 to 0-3.

The Galway side played some of their best football in the opening ten minutes of the second-half when they reduced the leeway to two points and looked to be on a roll. However, the Virginia side kept their nerve and composure, and driven on by a dominating midfield pairing of James McEnroe and Eugene Keating went on to record a deserved victory in the end.

As already stated, this Virginia College side are worthy Ulster champions, and have the talent and hunger to add the All-Ireland title to their list of honours in the coming weeks.

Virginia College scorers – C. Smith 1-3, A. Cole 1-1, S. Reilly 1-1, T. Keating, D. Costello and Eugene Keating 0-1 apiece.
Colaiste Colmchille scorers are – P. O’Connor 1-0, L. McLoughlin 0-3, P. O’Connell 0-2, E. O’Connor 0-2 and S. O’Connor 0-2.

Lemlin

Looks like I'm the only one interested but they won it anyway:

http://www.hoganstand.com/cavan/ArticleForm.aspx?ID=60265

Virginia College claimed the All-Ireland senior Vocational Schools football title with a magnificent 0-10 to 1-5 victory over St Brogan’s College, Bandon, at McDonagh Park in Nenagh on Saturday April 29.

This was a landmark victory not just for the school but also for vocational schools football in the county and Cavan GAA in general.
It’s the first time a Cavan school has won an All-Ireland at this level and the players as well as the team management of Niall Lynch, Bart McEnroe and Nicolas Walsh deserve the utmost credit.

The winners dominated early exchanges but were unable to get on the scoreboard due to nervousness in front of the posts. Eugene Keating got the opening score and further points from Ciaran Sexton, Conor Smith (2) and Keating again fired the Cavan and Ulster champions into a 0-5 to 0-2 interval lead.

A more physical Cork side closed within a point upon the resumption but Terry Keating’s 45th-minute point steadied Virginia. Three points in five minutes from Eugene Keating, Smith and Terry Keating sealed a historic victory.

The Virginia College team which won the 2005/06 All-Ireland crown was: M. Clarke (capt.); K Farrelly, B. Coleman, D. Foxe; C Tully, R. Farrelly, T. Ferguson; Eugene Keating (0-4) , J. McEnroe; C. Sexton (0-1), D. Costello, T. Keating (0-1); A. Cole, C. Smith (0-4), F. Flanagan

cournioni

Fair play to Virginia. That is some achievement, Conor Smith is one hell of a player by the way. He's played against Shercock minors on a good few occasions and he was the main threat against what is a very good Shercock team (six of which have been on county panels at one stage or another).

Was there any Lavey players involved Lemlin?

Lemlin

Yes. Terence Ferguson. Fantastic young player. He's been playing with the seniors and minors at club level a while now. Was playing in the half backs. The only reason I think he hasn't made the minor county team is that he's quite small.