Carrick VS 2-06

Loreto CS 0-10

The Lewis McIvor Memorial Cup will once again sit proudly in the halls of Carrick Vocational School after they just about edged out Loreto Community School, Milford, on Friday afternoon.

Played at Mundy's field Ballyshannon, Noel Ward's side again battled through to victory in memory of their former student Lewis. Despite leading for the overwhelming majority of the contest, Carrick had to weather a late late storm before finally prevailing. Leading on a scoreline of 2-3 to 0-8 as the game approached the final minute, Carrick managed to surrender their slim advantage after Loreto posted twice in quick succession through Chris Barrett and Chris McClafferty. But the men from the west refused to panic, and following a massive score from distance by Patrick McBrearty, went on to register twice more in the dying seconds to just about see off Adrian Doherty's dogged side. Playing with the aid of a slight breeze, Carrick opened the scoring through McBrearty inside the first minute.

But two quickfire scores from live wire Barry McNamee edged the Milford school in front. Carrick soon adopted the direct approach that had served them so well only days earlier in their semi final victory over Magh Ene, Bundoran, and it immediately bore fruit.

A 'Hail Mary' towards Patrick McBrearty was broken into the path of Dara O'Donnell and he clinically dispatched past the hapless Seamus O'Donnell in the Loreto nets. Despite being nearly two minutes shy of the midpoint of the first half, both sides would only point once more during the remainder through Barrett and O'Donnell, as Carrick exited at the break leading by the minimum on a scoreline of 1-2 to 0-4.

Both sides spurned early wides at the start of the second half before McNamee tied proceedings up seven minutes in.Loreto then took the lead for the first time in the contest when their main threat Chris Barrett arrowed over a great free from the left hand side. Carrick survived some hairy moments in front of goal immediately after, and could easily have found themselves further in arrears if not for the determination and quick intervention of full back Barry Carr.

Following that let-off, Carrick spectacularly took the lead when they again went route one to maximum effect. McBrearty this time supplied the big boot towards Conor Gilmore, who in turn off loaded to Liam Doherty, and he drilled a sublime effort to the bottom corner of the net. Doherty tagged on a point directly from the kick out as Carrick accumulated a three point advantage. But they failed to build on it as Barrett again led by example to fire over twice without reply to narrow the gap to one.

And before Carrick had time to catch their breath, they found themselves behind by the thirty first minute following Barrett and McCafferty's determined late drive. But an admirable and inspirational response from Ward's men saw them level two minutes into added time, and eventually put Loreto to the sword thanks to McBrearty and O'Donnell.

Following that nerve wreaking finale, a relieved Carrick captain Liam Doherty collected the trophy on behalf of his school, and fittingly, in memory of the late Lewis McIvor.

Carrick VS: Hugh Doherty; Rory McIntyre: Barry Carr: Chris Doherty; Kevin McNern: Pauric Carr: Dermot McGinley; David Gillespie: Declan Maguire; Ryan McNern: Dara O'Donnell (1-2): Liam Doherty (1-1); Ryan McHugh: Patrick McBrearty (0-3): Conor Gilmore

Milford VS: Seamus O'Donnell; Jonathan Louge: Joe Gallagher: Ronan McAteer; Dean Burgess: Oisin Barrett: Ryan Ferry; Mark Flood: Luke Barrett; Cathal McGettigan: Chris Barrett (0-6): Tony McNamee; Barry McNamee (0-3): Chris McCafferty (0-1): Gary Meritt

Referee: Terrance McShea (Aodh Ruadh)