FAI Schools Tom Ticher National Junior Cup Semi Final (Under 17, Large Schools)
Thursday, March 21, 2024
Portmarnock Community School 5-1 Ardscoil na Mara, Tramore
Seán Jones (15, 47, 60), Cian Wilson (80), Cian O’Leary (80+3) Joseph Titilayo(24)
PORTMARNOCK COMMUNITY SCHOOL advance to this season’s FAI Schools Tom Ticher Junior National Cup Final following their comprehensive victory over Munster Champions Ardscoil na Mara, Tramore in Killeshin FC this afternoon (March 21)
Suspensions were the order of the day as Tramore had four players absent while Portmarnock had one sitting out this Cup tie. Tramore’s regular keeper suffered a wrist injury in training and wasn’t available to an already depleted squad.
Portmarnock’s Seán JONES broke the deadlock after a quarter of an hour when he sliced through the Tramore defence to slot home.
The Dublin side could have doubled their tally seven minutes later when Jamie Flynn played a delightful cross field pass to the onrushing Cian Wilson, but the youngster smashed the ball to the side net.
Tramore talisman JosephTITILAYO had it all square on 24 minutes when he cruised past three defenders to see past Grainger for 1-1.
Portmarnock’s Senan Finn had a lovely long range effort sail over the top corner eight minutes from the interval as it remained level at the break.
The hardworking Seán JONES extended the Dublin students lead seven minutes into the resumption as he headed in at the near post.
JONES then completed his hat-trick on the hour mark with another headed effort on target to make it 3-1.
Tramore’s Freddie Brazil pulled off a great save to deny Cian Wilson on 67 minutes.
Two further goals at the death inflated the scoreline as Can WILSON and substitute Cian O’LEARY converted brilliantly to bring their tally to five.
The Portmarnock scholars will now meet reigning Champions Rice College, Westport in this season’s National Cup decider, which is scheduled for Wednesday, April 17. Venue to be confirmed.
PORTMARNOCK COMMUNITY SCHOOL | Kyle Grainer ©, Ben Morris, Matthew Reen, Tadi Chikoko, Aaron McGlynn, Seán Lowry, Jamie Flynn, Seán Jones, Cian Wilson, Alec Moore, Senan Finn
SUBS USED | Cian O’Leary for Lowry (65), Raul Stan for Moore (76), Seán Breen for Reen (78), Conor Sheehan for Chikoko (80), Seán O’Meara for Jones (80+3)
SUBS NOT USED | Rhys Gilmartin (GK), Brian Cotolli
TEACHERS | James O’Keeffe, Mr. Breen
ARDSCOIL NA MARA, TRAMORE | Freddie Brazil, Ryan Walsh, Conor Whelan, Ronan O'Toole, Shay Corcoran, Joe Brennan, Adam Chapman, Alex Sheehan ©, Joshua Roche, Dylan Farrell, Joseph Titilayo
SUBS USED | Patrick Barrett for Brennan (80+2)
SUBS NOT USED | Daniel Onuwuka, Conor Lanigan, Alex Treacy, Zak O'Sullivan
TEACHER | Derek O’Brien
MATCH OFFICIAL | Pat Moran (Carlow/Kilkenny)
