Rylane and Dripsey National Schools served up a feast of football at yesterday’s Sciath Na Scol Football Final. The only downside of this magnificent match was that there had to be a loser. Both teams gave their all in a pulsating game that was a joy to watch. This was a game for the purists with end to end football played at breakneck speed in dreadful conditions. Dripsey had the upper hand early on and looked to be in control of a nervous Rylane side however once they got their first goal they found their rhythm and the game burst into life . Dripsey attacked from their full back line and  played some superb football up the wings while Rylane made use of their midfield to trouble the Dripsey rearguard. At half time Rylane led on a scoreline of 2.00 to 1.02. The second half started the way the first half ended with rip roaring football.  Rylane secured an early point putting them two up but Dripsey responded almost immediately with a well worked goal to give them the lead again. Both teams traded points and with five minutes to go Rylane equalized and this remained the case as the full time whistle blew and the best game of the Sciath na Scol tournament headed into extra time as the score line read 2.03 each. The first period of extra time again saw both sides give their all and with just three and a half minutes into the game Dripsey were awarded a 14 yard free and Joey Murray O’Sullivan floated the ball over the heads of the packed goal line and into the back of the net. This was the decisive score and Dripsey tapped over another point in the second period of extra time to record a richly deserved Sciath Na Scol title on a scoreline of 3.04 to 2.03. As the final whistle blew there was utter desolation for brave Rylane and tremendous jubilation for the very skillful Dripsey boys and girls. Rylane collected their  runner up medals with dignity as beaten finalists should and Dripsey celebrated their win joyously as champions are entitled to do. Congratulations to both sets of players, their trainers and their teachers. It was a terrific game of football and there is no doubt that many players on both teams will be in a lot more football  finals in the years to come.