By Michael McMullan

ST Joseph’s Donaghmore won their first ever ‘A’ football title after a pulsating D’Alton Cup final extra-time win over St Louis Ballymena.

It was a novel pairing with both schools playing in an ‘A’ football final for the first time in their history.

There was controversy at the end of the normal time, after there had been confusion with the scoreline during the final quarter.

A late Donaghmore goal forced extra-time with some in the ground having the Tyrone side down as one-point winners.

In the end, it was Donaghmore who prevailed in an encounter that had no shortage of action between two excellent teams.

“It’s an absolutely fantastic achievement for the school, we haven’t always been at this level,” beamed a proud Andrew Gallagher, joint manager with Paddy Corrigan.

“The hard work effort of coaches for years has helped us build up this point.

“We are working with a fantastic group of lads and they never say die. They are a massive credit to their families, the school and their clubs, who put so much into it.”

Donaghmore first took boys into the school when six were enrolled in 2003. Seven years later, the addition of an Irish Medium department also helped the school expand.

Under the watch of St Louis Ballymena past pupil Niall Kelly, Donaghmore were MacLarnon Cup champions in 2022 before landing the All-Ireland B title.

There have been three seasons in the MacRory Cup, including progress to the 2023 semi-final.

These are players who the current D’Alton squad would’ve saw first-hand winning titles.

“Role models are a rolling out of the school here, the Joey Clarkes, the Conor O’Neills,” Gallagher added.

“Conor’s wee brother, Daniel, put on a massive shift for us. Those are the role models to really look up to there and they inspire them.”

It has been an eventful campaign for Donaghmore, losing just once along the way, to St Colman’s in the group stages.

“The school has really rowed in behind these boys,” Gallagher said of the buildup.

“The atmosphere’s been electric this week, it’s been amazing. I am hoping the year eights who got out to watch this match, that they are inspired and want to write their own history.”

The final was another chapter in an exciting journey along the way. St Louis had the wind in the first half, building up a lead.

After two Donaghmore goals, the Ballymena men found a way to getting another grip on the game only for a late goal to turn the decider for the final time.

“We tell them that there won’t be a team that will outwork us,” Gallagher said of the Donaghmore group, “and that there won’t be a team with a bigger heart than us.

“When the chips were down and the wind was against their back, we just dug deeper.”

The final whistle sparked scenes of celebrations. There can only ever be one first time for something. It was Ruan Kavanagh who had the honour of accepting the D’Alton Cup, the first player to lift an ‘A’ title in the school’s colours.

“In my time in the school here, we have moved up from Nolan football to MacRory football,” Gallagher said, pointing out their progess.

“That’s quite a trajectory in that period of time. These lads are self-motivating, they want more, they want the next step.

“This group will be as keen to push on next year, to the next competition.”