Tallaght to face Kilmallock for All Ireland Senior B Boys Title

Tallaght to face Kilmallock for All Ireland Senior B Boys Title

Colaiste de hIde, Tallaght will contest this year’s All Ireland Senior B crown when they play opponents Colaiste Iosaef, Kilmallock in Leah Victoria Park, Tullamore on Friday, 26 February (KO 1pm):

Ironically, the four Provincial finalists in this year’s Senior B Boys competition were four Gaelscoil’s, with teachers instructing their player’s throughout the game “as gaeilge”:

The Final will prove to be a memorable occasion for both schools as it’s their first time to reach an All Ireland Schools Soccer Final:

Kilmallock are the surprise inclusion this year after a long absence from schools soccer and their re/emergence this season has been greeted with huge enthusiasm and excitement in the school: Eddie O’Carroll will be making some vital last minute preparations ahead of this crunch encounter in a fortnight’s time:

Tallaght’s Daithí O’Murchú will be well aware that Leinster have won this All Ireland title two year’s  running with neighbours Jobstown’s Community School winning last year and Patrician College, Finglas capturing the title in 2007/08: Daithí will no doubt want to add to Leinster’s success of 3/in/a/row at this level:

Judging from both semi final fixtures, even odd’s would be a safe bet, as both teams appear evenly matched - a high standard of football should be on the cards:

Coláiste de hIde, Tallaght narrowly defeating Pobalscoil Gaobh Dobhair (Gweedore CS) on penalties last Thursday while Colaiste Iosaef, Kilmallock overcame Connacht Champions Coláiste na Coiribe, Galway in a close encounter last Tuesday: Two excellent semi finals were played with all four Provincial finalists giving a great account of themselves:

UMBRO FAI Schools Senior B Boys National Semi Final

Colaiste na Coiribe, Galway 0/2 Colaiste Ioasef, Kilmallock

Lees Road Complex, Ennis

Tuesday, 9 February KO 1pm

Colaiste Iosaef, Kilmallock were the first to book their place in the All Ireland Final but they left it late to secure the points against an impressive and determined Coláiste na Coiribe, Galway in Lees Road Complex, Ennis:

Two second half goals from Paul Doona and Aaron Costello sealed the victory for Eddie O’Carroll’s charges:

Coláiste na Coiribe scorned a number of chances in the first half which could have proved decisive:

Fionntain O’Curraoin’s header from a set piece was saved well by versatile keeper Robert Egan while Adam O’Lao played a delightful ball to Dean De Paor whose shot was heading in but the ever present Sean Barrett was well placed to scoop the ball off the line on 22 minutes:

The lively Kilmallock star Paul Doona had his well placed free kick saved impressively on 25 minutes by the out stretched hand of Keeper Seamus O’Ruflai:

Galway’s duo of Owen Teagle and Aonghus O’Dúill, made Robert Egan play a captain’s role as he was made to work hard in goal with two remarkable long range efforts saved on 40 and 43 minutes respectively

The second half was all to play for and the schools took their time getting to grips with the pace of the game:

Adam Mac Siúrtáin was introduced for Andriú De Burca on 70 minutes while Gearoid O’Ceannabhain replaced Owen Teagle on 85 minutes:

The game was crying out for a goal and with only twelve minutes remaining in the match, Kilmallock’s prayers were answered: The Munster side registered their first of the afternoon courtesy of Paul Doona: Play maker Barry Sheedy played an inch perfect ball to the feet of the youngster Doona to slot past the diving keeper Seamus O’Ruflaí:

Five minutes later the Limerick side got into their groove and were gifted their second after good goalkeeping denied Aaron Costello on his first attempt but he didn’t miss the rebound with a tap over the keeper to the bottom left corner:

With only minutes remaining in injury time, Kilmallock were denied a hat/trick of goals as Aaron Costello was deemed off side when he ran onto a brilliant through ball from Jason Linehan:

An impressive performance from the Kilmallock lads who definitely had to work hard for their win

Colaiste Iosaef, Kilmallock: Robert Egan (Capt), Ian Fox, Sean Barrett, Kevin O’Donnell, Owen Webb O’Rourke, Stephen O’Riordan, Barry Sheedy, Jason Linehan, Sean O’Riordan, Aaron Costello, Paul Doona

Subs: David Deady, Conor Barry, Mark Enright, Chris Todd, Alan Cronin

Teachers: Eddie O’Carroll & Daniel Hogan:

Colaiste na Coiribe, Galway: Seamus O Ruflaí, Eoghan O’Riogáin, Andriú De Burca, Cathal Burathnach, Cian Mac Fhinn, Aonghus O’Puill, Adam O’Lao, Fionntain O’Curraoin, Ciaran O’Gallachoir, Dean de Paor, Owen Teagle

Subs: Adam Mac Siurain, Gearóid O’Ceannabhain, Cillian O’Grainne, Michael O’ Coilean, Sean O’Leighlin, Cian Seoighe:

Teacher: Stiofan O’Riain

Referee: John McNamara

UMBRO FAI Schools Senior B Boys National Semi Final

Coláiste de hIde, Tallaght 5/4 Pobalscoil Gaoth Dobhair (Gweedore CS) PENS (0/0 AET)

Kingspan Century Park, Monaghan

Thursday, 11 February KO 1pm

Tallaght on the other end of the draw had a titanic battle on their hands with their counterparts Gweedore in Kingspan Century Park, Monaghan: The Leinster Champions were left deadlocked after 110 minutes of exhilarating football:

The first opportunity fell to Tallaght’s Michael Roarty but his header from a well placed corner kick was high and off the upright with only minutes played:

Gweedore’s Mathew Aarkin was proving difficult for Tallaght with his speed down the wing: His final ball was just too quick for fellow student Hugh Sweeney to impress:

Both teams were playing some nice one touch football but neither team were taking a dominant hold on proceedings: 

Odhrán McNeill linked well with Cian Mulligan in the centre of the park: Mulligan’s winding run left his chipped effort sailing over the out of position keeper but also excruciatingly over the bar:

Tallaght cancelled this missed opportunity with one of their own on 76 minutes when Cory Dardis played a great ball into the on running Dylan O’Broin: The striker went for power over precision and blasted the ball into the side netting:

Odhrán McNeill could have been compared to Rory Delap as he bombarded the Dublin defence with his long throw/ins throughout the 90 minutes: The youngster was propelling the balls a decent distance but the defensive pairing of Dean O Braonáin and Adam O Fallúin kept the threat averted:

The game came to life in extra time with the talented and over worked Donal O’Riain using his quick feet to release Stiofán O’Ceallaigh down the wing: The momentum carried him towards goal but he fed Eoin O’Riain with an unselfish pass which was disappointingly too tame to trouble keeper Danny McGarvey:

Gweedore responded with a great effort from Jamie Reynolds and a second shot on target from Antoin Blair: Unfortunately for the Ulster school the ball was the wrong side of the post on both occasions:

The stalemate continued at the end of extra time which left the fate of these two schools hinged on the dreaded spot kicks:

With the pressure mounting, all spot kicks were converted leaving it 5/4 with Gweedore left with the last spot kick of the day to level proceedings: Tension mounted on the sideline as both schools looked on:

This however was the major turning point in the game and proved the downfall for Gweedore as keeper Sean De Bluinsín of Tallaght made a gallant save to ensure his team’s advancement into the Final:

It’s incredible that the final kick of the ball was to prove the decisive factor in this marvellous showcase for school’s football:

Colaiste de hIde, Tallaght: Sean De Bluinsín, Aaron O’Briain, Dean O’Braonáin, Adam O’Fallúin, Seán O Donnabháin, Eoin O’Riain, Seamaí O’Néill, Dylan O’Broin, Aaon O’Seartáin, Stiofan O Ceallaigh, Donal O’Riain

Subs: Seán Mac Roibin, Naoise O’Conarain, Cory Dardis, Cillian OCearúil, Darren O’Braináin:

Teacher: Daithí  O’Murchú

Pobailscoil Gaobh Dobhair: Danny McGarvey, Martin Curran, Michael Roartu, Lerkin Fallachoir, Sean Doherty, Antoin Blair, Caoilte Boyle, Jamie Reynolds, Mathew Aarkan, Hugh Sweeney, Odhran McNeill

Subs: Seán Boyle, David Coyle, Sean Pól McMahon, Cian Mulligan, Padriag MacGadí

Teacher: Emmet McGhee

Referee: Michael Gallagher (Cavan/Monaghan)

END