Shock Cootehill comeback stuns O’Doherty holders

Danske Bank O’Doherty Cup semi-final
St Aidan’s Cootehill 1-14 Coláiste Ailigh Letterkenny 0-14 AET
HOLDERS Colaiste Ailigh lost their Danske Bank O’Doherty Cup title in Garvaghey last evening to a determined St Aidan’s Cootehill who came from 0-9 to 0-3 down at the break to force extra time during which they pulled clear.
It was a remarkable turnaround from the Cavan side, but with a six point lead and numerous chances durng the third quarter to put the game to bed, Coláiste Ailigh will be kicking themselves over missed opportunities.
The Letterkenny side put in a strong opening half and were good value for the six points’ lead at the interval with three from excellent midfielder Sean Ó Braoin. Mícheál Ó Conchubhair was going well at the back and Seán Ó Riain causing plenty of problems at the other end.
And the Gaelscoil looked in control at the end of the third quarter despite squandering chances. However the game changed when DJ Cassidy got on the end of high ball and punched a Cootehill goal.
The Cavan side kept pressing and tagging on points until, entering injury-time, Jack Rutledge landed the equaliser from a 30 metre free.
Cootehill maintained that momentum for the first period of extra time and picked off three unanswered points from Cian Smith (2) and Ronan Brady to turn the teams on 1-13 to 0-13.
And they pushed on after the break to sign up for a final meeting with Ballybay Community College next week

St Aidan’s Alan Murray, Oisin Doyle, DJ Cassidy 1-0 Daire Tully, Cian Donohoe, Ryan Lynch, Shane Tully, Philip McCabe 0-2, Donal Keapock, Seamus O’Reilly 0-1, Jack Ruthledge 0-1 free, Cian Farrelly 0-1, Patrick Lynch, Kaylan Jackson 0-2, Cian Smith 0-5, 0-2 frees.
Subs Ronan Brady 0-2 for Cian Donohoe, Francis McCabe for Patrick Lynch
Coláiste Ailigh : S Ó Duibheannaigh, M Ó Conchubhair, R Ó Mearthaille, P Ó Duibheannaigh, R Mac Fionntaí (0-1), D Ó hUiginn (0-1), L Ó hAnnagáin, O Mac Gairbheith (0-1), S Ó Braoin (0-3), T Ó Crossain, I Mac Fhionnghaile (0-2), D Ó Cathail (0-2), T Ó Gallchóir, R Mac Gaoithín (0-2), S Ó Riain (0-2)
Subs : C MacMeanamáin, for T Ó Crossáin, M Ó Treoraigh for I Mac Fhionnghaile, A Ó Gallchoir for D Ó Cathail, I Mac Fhionnghaile for T Ó Gallchóir, D Ó Cathail for C Mac Meanmáin