Munster and Ulster schools seek breakthrough in FAI Schools Cup final
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Date: Wednesday, 21 March 2007 Section: Schools
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Irish Senior Cup Final
Limerick CBS V Virginia College, Cavan
Belfield, 2.30pm
There’s going to be a new name on the Dr Tony O’Neill Cup by 5pm today as the final of the FAI Schools Irish Senior Cup takes place at Belfield (KO 2.30pm) between the Munster Champions Limerick CBS and Ulster kingpins Virginia College.
For Limerick CBS, the agony of semi-final defeat has been felt more than most as they have lost 12 national semi-finals at all grades in recent years and their last appearance in a national decider was back in 1976.
On that occasion, they overcame Blackrock College to win their second senior title – the first came two years previously against Summerhill Sligo.
Since then the national titles have been scarce and manager Michael Molyneaux has no illusions about the task facing his charges.
“This team has been through a lot together,” commented Molyneaux. “They have been together since first year and have won Munster titles but the team has fallen at the penultimate hurdle.
“They say you have to experience defeat in order to appreciate success and I think the lads have been focussing on that.”
The Limerick school boasts three current schools’ internationals in goalkeeper Brian Collopy, centre half Patrick Mullins and striker Shane Clarke who captains the side.
Clarke has been prolific in front of goal this season and in the senior cup campaign so far he has nine goals, including hat- tricks in the quarter-final of the Munster Cup as well as last week’s national semi-final where Limerick brushed aside the Leinster champions St Vincent’s Glasnevin.
Clarke’s partnership with Kevin Barry has yielded rich dividends and more will be expected of them at Belfield.
For Virginia, this is uncharted waters, though the school has been enjoying a successful season in other codes as well and are through to an All Ireland semi-final in Gaelic Football.
Manager Ray Tynan has marshalled a strong side that has disposed of more illustrious opposition on their way to this final.
Much will depend on the form of Conor Smith and Diarmuid Foxe who have been to the forefront for Virginia in this season’s campaign but a strong team spirit has been the feature of the side’s performances this year.
“For a predominantly Gaelic Football School, this is a magnificent achievement,” says Tynan.
“We have been playing soccer for only five years so to get this far is way beyond our expectations. We’ve already had our day out in winning the Ulster championship so anything after this is a bonus.”
Paths to the final
Limerick CBS
Round 1: St. Clement’s 3-0
Round 2: Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh Cork 1-0
Round 3: Rockwell College 6-0
Munster SF: Borrisokane CC 1-0
Munster Final: Deerpark CBS Cork 2-0
Irish SF: St Vincent’s Glasnevin 4-1
Virginia College
Round 1: Largey College 3-1
Round 2: Inver College 2-1
Round 3: Abbey VS Donegal 2-1
Ulster SF: PS Ghaoth Dobhair 2-1
Ulster Final: PCC Falcarrragh 3-2 (AET)
Irish Semi Final: St Muredach’s Ballina 2-1 (AET)