St. Joseph’s College, Galway (Bish) 1-0 Sexton Street CBS, Limerick
St Joseph's College faced their toughest challenge of their Cup campaign when they lined out against hot favourites Limerick CBS in the Umbro FAI Schools Senior Boys Cup Final in Terryland Park today (Wednesday, 6 May).
LIMERICK CBS have a phenomenal reputation at Schools level as the side were bidding to win an unprecedented third Soccer title in-a-row. The CBS outfit were sporting two key members namely Captain Eoin Hanrahan and Jason Hughes. The boys were hoping to complete their own piece of history by collecting a third All Ireland senior medal at this level - both talented young stars were part of the U18 Schools International team who missed out on retaining the Carnegie Centenary Shield last month.
Limerick CBS were also aiming to claim their sixth All Ireland title in all, in this grade as the renowned sporting nursery also won the competition twice in the 1970s. An incredible achievement for any school and their success has to be credited to the commitment and passion shown by their experienced manager Mike Molyneaux, who was ably assisted by current Limerick FC star and Limerick CBS past pupil, Tommy Barrett who acts as team coach.
The Limerick legends were tipped for stardom after an impressive season which kicked off with a spectator 5-2 win away to Desmond College, Newcastlewest in December. CBS narrowly won their next fixture with a 2-1 victory over Borrisokane. The quarter final was a tough test for Mick Molyneaux’s charges and they scrapped through with a 1-0 win against a determined Colaiste an Spioraid Naoimh of Cork.
Limerick CBS upped the tempo for the Munster Semi Final and slotted six past old rivals Crescent Comprehensive College. The silverware was secured as Limerick CBS claimed their fifth Munster Senior Boys title in-a-row with a hard-fought 1-0 win over Colaiste Mhuire of Cobh.
The Sexton Street side advanced to the All Ireland Final decider thanks to a convincing 3-0 result at the National Semi Final stage over Leinster champions, Tallaght Community School. A hat trick of goals from Cian Byrnes, Captain Fantastic Eoin Hanrahan and Derek O'Hanlon helped the Munster champions secure that comfortable win.
Their counterparts St. Joseph’s College better known as the Bish reached the decider after a penalty shootout victory over Loreto Community School, Milford, mainly thanks to goalkeeper Ger Hanley’s heroics; who stopped three of the spot kicks and slotted the winner himself.
Contrary to this emphatic result the Connacht Champions had a somewhat turbulent start to their season as they lost their opening match to Strokestown’s 5-4. This surprise result seemed to spur on Robert Grealish’s team and they followed it up with a 9-1 demolition of Muredachs. Westport was next up for the Bish and they overcame this side in a cracking game with a hat trick of goals. The quarter final saw Summerhill College, Sligo lose 3-2 which meant a Semi Final pairing with the imposing St. Mary’s College, Galway. This venture saw a heroic performance from the Bish and they progressed with a 1-0 win in a memorable match. Scoil Mhuire Strokestown’s were paired against the Bish in the Connacht Final. Grealish had promised revenge on their previous defeat and he did not disappoint as they were eventual 2-0 winners and thus progressed to another All Ireland Final.
St. Joseph’s were bidding to win the prestigious All Ireland title for only the second time in the school’s history. It was 20 years since the Galway school claimed their first senior title in 1989 when Claregalway’s Frank Thornton directed the team to honours.
The Connacht Champions were awarded home advantage in the final, no doubt an extra incentive for a Galway win.
The management team of Robert Grealish, Barry McDermott and Mervue’s Colie Kelly knew a daunting task awaited their charges but they were quietly confident the quality players at their disposal have enough guile and class to cause an upset.
The trio have no injury worries going into the clash led by Irish keeper Ger Hanley, also boosted by schools international striker Brian Gaffney who has proved influential in the campaign, Salthill Devon’s Barry McCabe, Michael Evans and Ronan Conlon, Hib stars Gary Kelly and Brian McNamara, and Mervue’s Ross Lynskey and Conor Winn.
With home support, could the Bish use that extra dimension to surprise the favourites and claim a second All Ireland crown or could Limerick make history by retaining the title for an impressive and remarkable three in a row?
St. Joseph’s enjoyed the early exchanges with strikes from Ronan Conlon and Gary Kelly but 15 year old Keeper Steven McNamara was on form to deny the hosts.
Minutes later Barry McCabe whipped a promising ball into the danger area however Craig McMarlow read the play well and cleared the ball but the lively Ronan Conlon was on hand to pick up the clearance only to see his effort sail agonizingly wide.
The Bish were awarded a free on the edge of the box after Craig McMarlow was deemed to have infringed the speedy Brian Gaffney on route to goal. Gaffney’s curling effort hit the woodwork. A sign that the tribesman meant business.
Galway were rattled by a Limerick goal after a quarter of an hour of play but the opener was ruled off side, much to the disappointment of the travelling supporters.
Ger Hanley was called in action promptly and pulled off an impressive save after great link play between Eoin Hanrahan and Derek Hanlon to create a chance against the run of play. A long ball from Craig McMarlow in defence was carried forward by Hanrahan who immediately feed the on running Hanlon. His pile driver was looking promising but the outstretched Hanley got his finger tips to the ball to carry it past the post.
The Bish responded positively with a period of possession football which frustrated the Limerick lads. The Sexton Street defence was tested when Ebeneezer Olajide lofted a shot past the upright after the half hour mark. This was followed by a strike wide to the right from International star Brian Gaffney.
CBS couldn’t get into their stride as Galway matched them pace for pace. The game finally opened up for the Bish shortly after, courtesy of Brian Gaffney. Ebeneezer Olajide was casing all sorts of problems for Limerick and his presence was felt by the young keeper who spilled a cross from Ronan Conlon’s cross field ball and Brian Gaffney found himself in the perfect spot to head home to an empty net. 1-0 to the underdogs.
Limerick tired to gain their composure on proceedings before half time and came close when Eoin Hanrahan connected well from a high ball into the box from Jack Molyneaux. His effort was unfortunately sailing too far to the left and over the end line.
The second half was limited with opportunities as neither side had a clear shot on goal. Limerick narrowly missed out as Cian Byrnes failed to connect to a pass which flew into the box from the right foot of Jason Hughes.
Ebeneezer Olajide should have increased their lead as he failed to connect with a precision pass from goal scorer Gaffney on 58 minutes.
Ger Hanley was magnificent between the posts and he pulled off the save of his life with just twenty minutes remaining. Cian Byrnes was the recipient of a Craig McMarlow cross, his effort was on target only for Hanley to scrabble across his goal mouth and produce a fingertip save to deny the equalizer.
Gary O’Connor was introduced with ten minutes of normal time remaining. The Granville Rangers player immediately impacted on the game. He supplied a good ball forward to Edward O’Donovan but the striker was unlucky not to make more of the opportunity at his disposal.
Molyneaux’s men couldn’t impress on proceedings and St. Joseph’s College held on to an empathic and historic victory for the Galway school.
Mr. Eamonn Naughton, Chairman of the League of Ireland was in attendance to present the Dr. Tony O’Neill Cup to the Galway Captain Ger Hanley.
ST. JOSEPH’S COLLEGE: Ger Hanley, Thomas Curran, Ross Lynsky, Rory O’Donohue, Cian Fadden, Michael Evans, Barry McCabe, Ronan Conlon, Ebeneezer Olajide, Brian Gaffney, Gary Kelly.
Subs: Ian Lynsky, Daniel Keady for Ebeneezer Olajide (82), Adrian Jusufi, Cian Hynes, Conor Winn, Brian McNamara, Shane May, Paul Carty
Teachers: Robert Grealish, Barry McDermott, Coley Kelly
LIMERICK CBS: Stephen McNamara, Lee O’Mara, Craig McMarlow, Brendan Mullins, Jack Molyneaux, Cian Byrnes, David Crowe, Jason Hughes, Eoin Hanrahan, Derek O’Hanlon, Edward O’Donovan.
Subs: Gary Griffin, Gary O’Connor for David Crowe (80), Jonathan McNamara for Lee O’Mara (87), Dean McNamara, David Quinn, Gerard Burke.
Teacher: Mick Molyneaux.
Referee: Allen Lynch (Offaly)