FAI Schools Minor Boys National Cup FINAL (Under 15, Large Schools)
Wednesday, September 28, 2022
St. Joseph’s Patrician College, Galway 1-0 Wexford CBS
Tommy Lillis (35)
Coley Kelly’s charges won the 2022 FAI Schools Minor Boys National Cup title in Leah Victoria Park, Tullamore yesterday (Tuesday, September 27) following a wonderful showcase against rivals Wexford CBS.
It was Déjà vu for these two sides as they met once before at the same venue to contest the 2017 FAI Schools First Year Boys National Cup. The Bish winning the bragging rights the last time out as they were crowned Champions following a 3-0 win over the CBS crew. The goal scorers on the day included Darragh O’Malley, Conall Gallagher and Luke O’Gorman as Captain Gary Higgins lifted the title that afternoon.
And it was the Galway side that again came out the winners with a solitary goal courtesy of Captain Tommy Lillis just before the interval that was enough to see past the Leinster kingpins.
Tough weather conditions ensued throughout proceedings but the crowd were served up to some delightful football.
Both goalkeepers were very active in the first half and required some brave inceptions at times with players sliding around the box with difficult underfoot conditions.
The first real opportunity of the game fell to Jacob Carroll as his set piece sailed agonisingly over the crossbar with eleven minutes played.
Wexford craved out some wonderful chances early on but Galway’s talent shone through with David Kilraine, David Igbokwe and Jacob Carroll testing McCarthy between the posts midway through the first half.
Lillis’ goal came at the optimal time as he headed home just before the break as the impetus was with St. Joseph’s in the closing stages of the half.
The Wexford side were resurged in the second thirty-five and chased an equaliser as Oscar Ramsey and Kaylem Harnett tormented the Galway defence. Their fine work was almost capitalised by Jack Conneely, but he just couldn’t meet the cross as the ball flashed across goal much to the relief of Macdarragh Scanlon ten minutes in.
Troy Sinnott forced a terrific save from Galway keeper Macdarragh Scanlon following some good play from Kaylem Harnett mid-way through.
Tommy Lillis held the line superbly and his leadership was evident with some great link up play from midfield to the attacking quarters.
No equaliser was forthcoming despite Wexford’s gallant efforts and Galway held out for a deserved victory.
St. Joseph’s College are in the hunt for yet more silverware as their First Year team captured the provincial title last May.
Teachers Robert Grealish and Barry McDermott will be under some pressure now in the school to replicate Coley Kelly and Darrach Behan’s achievements. Loreto Community School, Milford is their opposition as the game takes place in Ray MacSharry Park, Sligo on Thursday, October 6 (KO 1pm)
ST. JOSEPH’S PATRICIAN COLLEGE, GALWAY | Macdarragh Scanlon, Luke McLoughlin, Oisín Hoban, Christian Ryan, Billy Regan, Tom Mulholland, Tommy Lillis ©, David Kilraine, David Igbokwe, Daniel Ojehonmon, Jacob Carroll
SUBS ROLL ON/OFF | Jose Ojo, Scott Davitt, Marc Beatty, Shane Fahy, Eoin Gacquin
TEACHERS | Coley Kelly, Darrach Behan
WEXFORD CBS | Haydon McCarthy, Colin Carley, Rian O’Grady, Cian O’Dowd, Oscar Ramsey, Cian Redmond, Kaylem Harnett, Ben Harpur ©, Troy Sinnott, Filip Wasilewski, Jack Conneely
SUBS ROLL ON/OFF | Rory Goff, Daniel Lawlor, Kajetan Kuczek, Charlie Ellard, Callum Fowler
EXTENDED PANEL | Kacper Ptak, Corey Maher, Darragh McLaughlin, Jamie Breen, Ben Mallon, Shay Murphy, Cormac Redmond, Kian Roche
TEACHERS | Joe Breen, Gary Purcell
MATCH OFFICIAL | Ray Conlon (Athlone)