Limerick CBS 5/4 St: Eunan’s College, Letterkenny (PENS) (2/2 AET)
Sudden Death penalties was all that stood between success and failure for the students of Limerick CBS and St: Eunan’s College as they contested a highly competitive Minor Cup Final at Flancare Park today (Thursday, 6 May):
The Schools couldn’t end the stalemate after 90 minutes of competitive play and the lottery of penalty kicks were to decide their faith:
Both schools were determined to outclass the opposition and it took a tremendous effort from the Limerick lads to battle back on two occasions to claim the coveted All Ireland title:
Heartbreak for St: Eunan’s as they claimed runners up spot for a second consecutive time in this competition: There is however some consolation for the School as they contest an All Ireland First Year
Boys Semi Final next week against the Leinster Champions:
The game produced some excellent football which saw Captain Dale Gorman, keeper Shaun Patton, Daire McDaid, Luke Bonner, Oisin Carr and Sean Hume all excel:
Playing a captain’s role Gorman turned supplier for Donegal’s first real opportunity of the afternoon: The Glencar clubman fed Ryan McConnell with a super ball in from a set piece: The ball drifted high into the danger zone for McConnell to climb highest: His headed effort glanced off the crossbar:
This early effort was cancelled out almost immediately at the other end of the park: Soran Abid played Jamie Bromell onside for him to then go one on one with Keeper Patton: Bromell’s close range effort was easily saved by the Bonegee net minder:
The Ulster side dominated much of the play in the first quarter and were rewarded with a fine goal on 16 minutes: Daire McDaid whipped in a ferocious corner kick for Eoin McDonnell to thwart the initial attack but the imposing Sean Hume used his quick feet to slot the rebound into the back of the net for Letterkenny:
The lead was short lived as Kieran Bennett equalised four minutes later: A mix up between the Eunan’s centre half and keeper found Bennett with a golden opportunity to keep the dream alive for Shane O’Sullivan’s side:
Eunan’s were gaining momentum just before the interval and Limerick’s Niall O’Connor pulled off two great saves to deny McConnell and McNulty in quick succession while the last of the action saw Soran Abid’s effort from twenty yards out drift wide of the marker:
The second half saw the perfect start for St: Eunan’s as 90 seconds in, substitute Luke Bonner tested keeper O’Connor, the initial strike was blocked but the playful McDaid was on hand to slot the second attempt past the grounded keeper in a packed penalty area:
Similar to their first half performance, Limerick came right back into the game with the side’s level for a second time two minutes later: A superb solo effort from Trevor Hogan saw him zip past Sweeney and Carr: He then used excellent ball control to side step the on rushing Patton to slot into an empty net:
Five minutes later, substitute Shane Walsh delivered an inviting ball for Christopher Hogan to have a whack at: The youngster’s attempt had too much pace on it as it climbed past the crossbar:
Jordan McBride’s long range effort on 53 minutes was ambitious but the follow up by Daire McDaid nearly led to a precious winner: Keeper O’Connor had just enough time to palm the ball off the head of McDaid to avert the danger:
Patrick O’Loan used the space at his disposal to great effect and created a half chance on the hour mark: His effort was blocked bravely by Dean Phillips:
A series of headers saw substitute Gerard Patton come close as the ball edged towards goal but the versatile Roy Hartigan was on hand to head past the end line on 68 minutes:
Extra time saw both sides spoil an opportunity of a match winner: Gerard Patton came close two minutes in, while seconds later Soran Abid saw his effort sail over the upright:
The last of the action in the second half saw Daire McDaid make a speedy run forward on goal: Gerard Patton was making huge ground down the centre in support to act as 2 on 1 with the Limerick keeper: McDaid wasn’t aware of Patton’s presence and attempted a snap shot across goal: His effort tailed off to the right and wide much to the relief of the Limerick following:
Penalty kicks were to decide the winner and Limerick were nominated to go first:
Eunan’s took an early advantage as Limerick’s third spot kick nicked the post: With their fifth and final kick of the game, the Eunan’s faithful had the opportunity to secure victory but it wasn’t to be as the young centre half missed:
Sudden death penalties ensued with Soran Abid making no mistake as his shot punched the top corner and the success was sealed when Niall O’Connor saved Eunan’s attempt ensuring a sensational win for O’Sullivan’s side:
This is the second soccer trophy for the Limerick School having overcome St: Peter’s College, Dunboyne in the Post Primary Schools Futsal Finals earlier this year: Four players who starred on that occasion include Shane Walsh, Jamie Bromell, Soran Abid and Eoin McDonnell:
The quartet were well assisted in today’s victory by Captain Sam Mullins, Niall McNamara, Chris Hogan and keeper Niall O’Connor:
A valiant effort by St: Eunan’s who came so close to capturing the title:
Next on the horizon for the All Ireland Champions, Limerick CBS will be the opportunity to represent FAI Schools in a five nation tournament organised by the Schools Association Football International Board:
The SAFIB Schools Cup as it is more commonly known by will see representative schools from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland compete in the 3/day tournament which will be hosted by Northern Ireland Schools Association this year: The competition will kick off in Belfast on Thursday, 20 May:
Limerick CBS: Niall O’Connor, Roy Hartigan, Dean Phillips, Eoin McDonnell, Sam Mullins (Capt), Kieran Bennett, Trevor Hogan, Niall McNamara, Soran Abid, James Bromell, Christopher Hogan
Subs: Shane Walsh for Bromell (41), James Walsh for McNamara (90+), Noel Whyte, Kevin Slattery, Adam Lawlor, Jason Collins, Craig Downs
Teacher: Shane O’Sullivan
St: Eunan’s College: Shaun Patton, Ronan Sweeney, Keelan O’Donnell, Sean Hume, Oisin Carr, Dale Gorman (Capt), Ryan McConnell, Jordan McBride, Daire McDaid, Paddy O’Loan, Glen McNulty
Subs: Gerard Patton for McNulty (62), Jason Doherty, Anthony Ward, Luke Bonnar for O’Donnell (30), Joe Davies, Gary McDaid, Ryan Gildea, Ryan Brogan, Mark McGale
Teachers: Michael Harkin & Gerard Faulkner
Referee: Paul Tone (Midlands)