FAI Schools Junior ‘B’ Boys National Cup Final (Under 17, Small Schools)
Thursday, March 24, 2022
Coola Post Primary School, Riverstown 3-2 Scoil Ruáin, Killenaule
Owen Elding (15, 68), Daire Callaghan (32) Luke Ryan (55 pen), Borja Rodriguez (58)
FOURTH TIMES A CHARM… as Coola Post Primary School celebrate their first ever FAI Schools National Cup title following a hard fought victory over Scoil Ruáin of Killenaule in Athlone Town this afternoon (March 24) in the Junior ‘B’ Cup decider.
This afternoon’s engagement wasn’t the first time these two sides met. Back in 2018, we were served up a six goal thriller in the First Year ‘B’ Cup semi final showdown which brought about penalties following a 3-3 score-line after extra time. Coola edged that decider 3-1 on spot kicks. Today’s encounter had all the hallmarks for a repeat performance but for the brilliance of one Riverstown talisman.
OWEN ELDING had his side in front with a classic stunner in the Midlands venue with a quarter of an hour played as his strike from the edge of the box bet the Killenaule number one with a brilliantly taken pile-driver.
Their tally was doubled as Daire CALLAGHAN netted after the half hour mark following some great defensive work and a expertly weighted ball from Aaron Mullan to feed Callaghan for an inch perfect strike that keeper Adam O’Connell couldn’t hold onto.
Both Callaghan and Elding had netted hat-tricks in their semi-final showcase so their shooting boots were definitely fired up for this campaign.
Coola were two up at the interval.
The Killenaule outfit were given a lifeline when they were awarded a penalty with 55 minutes on the clock following an infringement on Brandon Ryan Webster. Captain Luke RYAN dispatched the resulting spot kick with ease to bring the game alive.
A whirlwind ensued as three minutes later, the sides were level, two apiece. Spaniard Borja RODRIGUEZ pounced in a congested box following a well worked corner to net an important goal. What a pulsating conclusion to their Cup tie.
The atmosphere was electric as over 600 students watched on to see if a winner could be found.
Not surprisingly, it was the talented Owen ELDING who brought the fans to their feet when he got onto the end of a Niall Kenny pass to finish magnificently to the far post with 12 minutes remaining.
That was Kevin McCarthy’s fourth National Cup appearance having lost two First Year ‘B’ Cup Final contests to Dublin Oak Academy in 2016 and 2018 and a Minor ‘B’ Cup decider four years ago at the hands of PCC Falcarragh. This victory was bitter sweet as he finally got his hands on the silverware.
COOLA POST PRIMARY SCHOOL, RIVERSTOWN | Kyle Gabbidon, Oisín Conlon (Dara Moyston, 62), Ciaran Kenny, Aaron Mullen, Daniel King, James Foley, Darragh McKeon (Dion Lowe, 76), Niall Kenny, Daire Callaghan, Sam Tuohy ©, Owen Elding
SUBS NOT USED | PJ Scanlon, Aidan Gabbidon, Brian Dwyer, Jack Tuohy, Niall O’Donoghue, Shane O’Connor, Stephen Smith, Robert Callaghan.
TEACHERS | Kevin McCarthy, Keith Raymond, Gary Creaton.
SCOIL RUÁIN, KILLENAULE | Adam O’Connell, Darragh Linnane, Matthew Direen, Finn Nolan, Cillian O’Halloran, Luke Ryan ©, Fionn Fitzgerald, Borja Rodriguez, Alex Greene, Brandon Ryan Webster (Senan Crowley O’Shea, 78), Ignacio Rodriguez (Hjaite Holland, 52).
SUBS NOT USED | Jacob O’Brien, Brian Corcoran, Eoin Treacy, Keelan Strappe, Niall O’Connor, Fieten Harms, Aaron McGarry, Pablo Yofre (injured), Sam Rowan (injured)
TEACHER | Cian Corcoran
ASSISTANTS | Andrew Corbett, Diarmuid White, Che Delaney Scott, Matthew McCormack
MATCH OFFICIAL | Paul Tone (Midlands)
