Defeat for Rice College in national final

Rice College saw their hopes of a national title fall at the final hurdle after defeat to St. Mary's DS, Drogheda in the FAI Schools National Under 17 final in Athlone this afternoon on a scoreline of four goals to one.

After a goalless first half which saw both goalkeepers in top form, St. Mary's took the lead two minutes into the second half through Ryan McBrearty before making it 2-0 four minutes later through Dylan O'Boyle.

Rice College captain Adam Nugent pulled one back from the penalty spot in the 65th minute but St. Mary's hit back instantly as McBrearty got his second - and St. Mary's third.

Rice College went down to ten men late on following Sean Gannon saw red and St. Mary's Altay Guneyer got another added time to cap off a deserved victory for the Drogheda-based school.

*Full report in next week's print edition.