Bank of Ireland FAI Schools Tom Ticher Junior National Cup Semi Final
Saturday, March 4, 2016
Coláiste Phádraig, Lucan CBS 1-0 St. Eunan’ College, Letterkenny (AET)
Emmanuel Lawal (99)
EMMANUEL LAWAL was the hero for Coláiste Phádraig as he snatched a late winner to ensure Lucan CBS’s path to the Bank of Ireland FAI Schools Tom Ticher Junior National Cup Final this season following a tense encounter at the Peace Link, Clones yesterday (Friday).
These two sides last met in 2010 when the Minor Cup catered for the U14 age group and it took penalties on that occasion to decide the winner. The game finished 1-1 in extra time but it was St. Eunan’s who dominated the spot kicks to record a 4-1 win to progress to the National Cup Final. The Letterkenny lads went on to play Limerick CBS in a thrilling Cup Final which ended 2-2 in extra time. It again came down to sudden death penalties as St. Eunan’s lost 4-5 to Limerick CBS so the Ulster school have experienced mixed emotions with the lottery process!
The game was edging to penalties yet again but the Lucan star converted following some decent build up play by Josh Hogan for Lawal to slot past the hard-working Eoghan O’Boyle.
Jimmy Mwanga was the target man for the Leinster Champions in the first half as the youngster had numerous chances to break the deadlock but O’Boyle was equal to the challenge for the Ulster outfit. Equally St. Eunan’s duo Zach Gorman and Conor O’Donnell linked well but couldn’t convert from distance.
Both sides were struggling to get a shot on target in the second period as the wind was proving difficult to contend with.
The stalemate remained and additional time was called. Yasser Maheant was gifted the opener two minutes in as he missed a sitter on the edge of the box. The counter attack saw Shane Doherty one on one with goalkeeper Cian McGrane but his effort went inches wide of the mark.
Just when both sides were getting ready for penalties up popped Emmanuel Lawal with the match winner with only seconds remaining on the clock.
Coláiste Phádraig now meet Oranmore men Calasanctius College in this year’s decider. Ruth Broderick’s charges won the Minor Cup twelve months previously so they’ll be favourities heading into the final.
The Calasanctius crew were also celebrating on Friday evening following their 2-0 victory over Garbally College as they retained their Bank of Ireland FAI Schools Minor Connacht Boys Cup title in fine style. The lads will now face Douglas Community School on Thursday in the next stage of competition.
COLÁISTE PHÁDRAIG, LUCAN CBS: Cian McGrane, Paul Cleary, Luke Smith, Emmet Allan, Conor Maguire, Cian Lynch, Emmanuel Lawal, Ross Strong, Yasser Maheant, Josh Hogan, Jimmy Mwanga
SUBS: Conor Callaghan, Alex Pleser, Seamus Curley for Strong (62), Eoin Massey for Mwanga (87), Thomas Okswa for Maheant (83), Kevin Doyle, Aaron Rogers.
TEACHERS: Billy Rafter, Daniel Tarpey
ST. EUNAN’S COLLEGE, LETTERKENNY: Eoghan O’Boyle, Jerome Angel Athuafere, Adam Byrne, Patrick McColgan, Eoghan Kelly, Shane Curran, Michael Gallagher, Shane Blaney, Shane Doherty, Zach Gorman, Conor O’Donnell.
SUBS: Ryan O’Donnell for Gorman (68), Oisín Purdy, Peter McEniff for Byrne (52), Tarlach O’Boyle, Shaun Patton, Shane McDevitt, James Tourish
TEACHERS: Paul Browne, David O’Herilhy
REFEREE: Damien Boylan (Monaghan)
