St: Kevin’s Community College, Clondalkin 2/1 St: Joseph’s CBS, Drogheda
Luke Byrne (6), Oladapo Ali (77) (65)
ST: KEVIN’S COMMUNITY COLLEGE advance to the semi final stages of the Junior Cup competition as they overcame St: Joseph’s CBS in difficult conditions on Thursday last (January 26)
With a strong breeze and a pitch that was not conducive to good football both team struggled to adapt to the conditions and ultimately it wasn't the great spectacle that a quarter final deserved:
St: Kevin's took an early lead with 6 minutes on the clock when Christopher Ward played an inch/perfect pass into the path of striker Luke Byrne who slotted the ball home past the St Joseph's keeper:
The remainder of the half didn't produce much in terms of goal/scoring opportunities as both teams struggled to get their passing game going: St: Kevin's went into the half/time break leading by the narrowest of margins (1/0)
Joseph's came out strongly in the second half and deservedly got their equaliser on 65 minutes: Joseph's striker intercepted a misplaced pass from St Kevin's centre/midfielder and raced through on goal before calmly stroking the ball home:
St: Joseph’s were well on top at this stage looking the more likely to progress to the semi finals: St: Kevin's were having to battle hard to stay in the game and things went from bad to worse when striker Dylan Byrne and centre midfielder Lee Higgins had to come off injured in quick succession:
With chances coming few and far between, it was looking like extra time was on the cards: However, with 12 minutes remaining substitute Oladapo Ali produced the winning goal: He latched onto a long ball over the top and managed to round the on/rushing keeper: As the defender scrambled back onto the goal line the striker composed himself to coolly lift the ball over the defender and into the net:
St: Joseph’s came on strong again in the last ten minutes but couldn't find the equaliser they deserved: St: Kevin’s now progress to the semi finals where Benildus await in what promises to be a mouth/watering encounter:
Report courtesy of Ciaran Smith (St: Kevin’s mentor)
