Salesian College 2/0 St: Kieran’s College
CONCEDING a goal after only five minutes, St Kieran’s College had to fight an uphill battle against a physically stronger and more mature Salesians of Celbridge, at Leah Victoria Park, Tullamore today, Wednesday (24 February)
The hill became a mountain to climb just after the hour when the Kilkenny College conceded their second goal – a score that was to prove a killer blow and sent the Leinster Colleges’ Senior Soccer Cup to Kildare:
But despite having to play catch up, Don O’Connor’s brave Saints refused to throw in the towel in a rousing decider: They went close to scoring on a few occasions and in a rattling finish they had the ball in the Salesian net and also had calls for a penalty turned away:
In fact there were penalty pleas at each end that were not granted by referee Darren Carey of Dublin who was right up with play throughout:
And in fairness to the match official, he was well positioned in both cases: St Kieran’s College players, mentors and supporters were convinced that an 80th minute tackle in the area had floored the ever dangerous Michael Drennan:
But like he had done in an earlier incident in the Kilkenny 18 yards box, the match official waved on play:
After little more than an hour, Drennan had posted a brilliantly weighted pass to Darragh Walsh who finished to the net but the ‘goal’ was ruled out by a linesman’s flag:
Add in a handful of unfortunate finishes in front of goal and it was easy to see why the hard working St Kieran’s boys were disappointed that their great run in the Leinster Schools’ Cup had come to a frustrating end:
But at the end of the day this game was not about what way decisions went, or even about missed chances, it was the combination of a big and talented Salesian side playing well while Kieran’s only played in fits and starts:
Kilkenny goalkeeper Craig Cummins was desperately unlucky to concede the opening goal: He parried a stinging close range shot from Kevin Molloy but the ball dropped to Fergal Conway who hammered home:
The Kildare school looked sharper early on and nine minutes had elapsed before Michael Drennan tested Shane McNamara who proved to be a very competent Salesian goalkeeper:
A smashing free kick by Thomas Ilunon after 20 minutes found Brian Bonyo whose rising shot was deflected for a corner:
Then came the move of the game: Salesians Fergal Conway crossed from the left: The ball reached Colin Smyth on the right and he crossed for Michael O’Grady who brought an acrobatic save from Craig Cummins:
St Kieran’s added real spice to the team when they introduced Jason Quan for Andrew Cantwell after 27 minutes:
There was no luck for Kilkenny 10 minutes later when Drennan beat three players and set up Conor Gorey on the right: Ironically the left footed will o’ the wisp who had just been switched from the left wing, was forced to pull the trigger with his right boot and the ball rattled the side netting:
The student Cats had yet another chance three minutes from the break when Quan crossed from the left and found the unattended Walsh but his tame header was easily dealt with:
Salesians had shaded the first half exchanges mainly due to midfield control but at the break Kilkenny were still well there with a shout as there was always a possibility that the tricky Gorey or very impressive Drennan would turn the tide:
The early stages of half two were dominated by Michael Drennan whose pass to Ciaran Snype brought a cracking shot at goal; Drennan also tested the side netting again and he set up Walsh for the ‘goal’ that was ruled out:
Salesians could have doubled their tally on the hour when a Kevin Molloy header was fingertipped over the bar by Cummins:
But it was game, set and match to Celbridge just a minute later when Michael Brown burst through, refused to be pushed off the ball and slipped neatly to the bottom right hand corner of the net:
Frustration then saw a number of players from both sides being shown yellow cards and a nail biting finish was not to be as Drennan crashed to the ground in the penalty box and whether or not he was fouled will long be debated at lunch breaks in St Kieran’s:
But while they lost out on a chance of All/Ireland glory, St Kieran’s College and their big band of excellently behaved supporters did the local game proud:
Manager Don O’Connor was understandably disappointed with the result, particularly as it was his final game in charge of a college soccer team:
He is now set to retire as manager after 20 glorious years in which he did brilliant work for the game of soccer in St Kieran’s College, a school that is better known for its hurling prowess:
St Kieran’s College: Craig Cummins, Steve Chappell, Robert Hayes, Sam Johnston, Andrew Cantwell, Luke Hickey, Ciaran Snype, Michael Drennan, Darragh Walsh, Eoin Delahunty:
Subs used: Jason Quan, John Power:
Subs not used: Kevin Duncan, Thomas O’Hanrahan, Gary Corcoran:
Salesian College: Shane McNamara, Gavin Kane, Craig Phillips, Paddy Markey, Thomas Ilunon, Michael O’Brady, Colin Smyth, Michael Brown, Fergal Conway, Brian Bonyo, Kevin Molloy:
Subs used: Michael Illunga, Kevin Conron:
Subs not used: Oscar Ó Foghlú, Eoghan Markey, Darragh Kennedy, Seamus Holmes:
Referee: Darren Carey; Assistants Andy Kavanagh, Anthony Carey (all Dublin):
