CBS Sexton Street, Limerick 2 - 1 Salesian College, Celbridge
Limerick CBS sharp shooter Kevin Barry was the star of the show at the FAI Schools Umbro Senior Cup Final when he scored twice to secure victory for Mick Molyneaux’s men to retain their coveted title:
Salesian College’s performance was excellent throughout the 90 minutes but unfortunately luck was not on their side:
In a rattling tie that showed schools’ soccer in a magnificent light the teams were together at a goal apiece until 10 minutes from time when Barry struck for the second time to grab glory for his school:
Limerick dominated the opening half during which they went ahead with a controversial goal from Barry:
Salesian shaded the second and their goal too came under controversial circumstances with a spot kick leading to Cian Bolger’s 64th minute equaliser:
Ironically both goals followed penalties awarded against the respective goalkeepers, Paul Geraghty of Celbridge and Limerick CBS net minder Brian Collopy:
Geraghty made amends by parrying the penalty but Barry pounced for the lead goal:
Collopy was put in bother when his defender James Kelly, sold him short with a pass and again the goalkeeper was penalised by Kilkenny referee, Nicky Marnell who pointed to the spot:
The second half was mostly Salesian’s thanks to the influence of three of the finest players on the park, Cian Bolger (St: Kevin’s), Robert Creevy (Shamrock Rovers) and Jean Biansumba (St: Kevin’s) a tricky striker with lashings of ability and a fantastic work rate: Their spirited performance did not go unnoticed:
The tie looked to be heading into extra time but alas there was one last attempt on goal by the Munster Champs: Barry popped up in the 80th minute to evade the keeper and placed the ball in the net with a superbly taken goal from an awkward angle to the delight of the travelling supporters:
Salesian’s looked like levelling proceedings in the dying seconds of injury time when young Biansumba almost found the net but his close range effort went agonisingly wide of the left upright:
Celbridge had Limerick rattled on a number of occasions but CBS held their nerve to secure their second consecutive senior title:
Limerick CBS: Collopy, Allen, Kelly, Çollins, Mullins, Hughes, Lynch, Richardson, Clarke (c), Barry, Hanrahan
Salesian College: Geraghty, Walsh, Powderly, Bolger, Boyle, Brown, Molloy, Creevy (c), Biansumba, O’Brien, Mullen:
Report: Jim Rhatigan, Kilkenny
