BY DARAGH CURLEY
St Columba’s won their first Dr Tony O’Neill Ulster title since 1992 on Tuesday.
The whole group was delighted with the success and centre-back and a goalscorer on the day Peter Sweeney was particularly influential.
“It’s unbelievable, it’s some experience and it’s great to share it with all the boys,” Sweeney told the Donegal News after the match.
St Columba’s played defensively with five at the back, but they were really dangerous on the counter attack and utilised the couple of clear goal scoring opportunities that they did have.
Sweeney said: “We were under pressure for the most part but that’s what school football is about, get them on the counter attack and take your chances when you get them which we did today quite well.”
Loreto, Milford certainly didn’t go down without a fight and St Columba’s soaked up huge amounts of pressure. The Stranorlar school dealt with the pressure really well.
Loreto got their breakthrough in the 95th minute but it was only a consolation as Sweeney and his teammates held firm for the victory.
Sweeney was happy with how his side defended.
“We just had to compact it at the back, work well as a team. We functioned well and we just got it out of there.”
St Columba’s will now have an All-Ireland semi-final against the Connacht champions to look forward to next month.
The team will have to put in the hard yards if they’re to progress to the All-Ireland final.
Sweeney commented: “We’re going to have to focus now. We’ll prepare well.”
