FAI Schools Tom Ticher National Junior Cup Semi Final (Under 17, Large Schools)
Tuesday, March 21, 2023
Rice College, Westport 3-0 Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh, Bishopstown
Cillian McGing (12), Daniel O’Malley (52), Conor Cannon (63)
WESTPORT’S RICE COLLEGE dispatched Munster Champions Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh with a hat-trick of goals in a rain drenched Tulla United AFC this afternoon (March 21).
The Mayo School went one up inside 12 minutes when Cillian McGING rifled the Bishopstown net with a fantastic finish following some great ball control from Conor Cannon to chest the ball down under pressure and release McGing for the opener.
Coláiste an Spioraid Naoimh were limited to half-chances for much of the first period as Michael McDonnell marshalled his defence confidently.
Westport’s led was doubled 12 minutes into the restart with a sweet half volley from inside the near post as Captain Daniel O’MALLEY duly converted. McGing again in on the action down the wing as he turned supplier.
Chris Harrington who was the hero in the Munster decider had a few long ranges efforts from set pieces but nothing to seriously worry McDonnell between the posts. Kirby and Zeph were also impressive for the Cork outfit.
The contest was wrapped up for Rice College in the 63rd minute when Conor CANNON finished off with a lovely touch to smash the ball past Captain Senan Dorgan.
Regardless of the score-line it was a highly entertaining encounter as Bishopstown played some delightful football but Westport were just that little sharper with their passages of play and clinical in front of goal.
To make matters worse for the Cork side, they went down to 10 men following the dismissal of Dylan McCarthy 12 minutes from time. This gave Westport teachers Brian Flannary and Darragh Connolly an opportunity to utilise their bench as a raft of substitutes came in the latter stages of the game.
Last season’s beaten finalists will relish a second consecutive appearance in the Tom Ticher Cup showpiece.
The experienced Connacht stars have five players returning from last season’s heroics as Conor Reynolds, Malachi Forde, Daniel O’Malley, Cillian McGing and Conor Cannon all featured.
The Mayo side overcome Abbey Vocational School from Donegal on spot-kicks following a two-all draw after extra-time in the same phase of the competition last year.
Rice College then went on to meet St. Mary’s Diocesan School of Drogheda in the Cup Final with the Louth side winning out 4-1 in Athlone to take the title.
It’s second time around for these lads as they try to go one better next month when they’ll meet either St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny or St. Mary’s CBS, Enniscorthy in the Final.
The other semi final is scheduled for this Thursday in Oriel Park, Dundalk (2.0) with the National Cup Final pencilled in for Wednesday, April 19 (1.0) following the Easter Break.
RICE COLLEGE, WESTPORT | Michael McDonnell, Eoghan Moran, Sean Casey, Alex Halpin, Conor Reynolds, Cillian McGing, Andre Ludden, Jamie O’Malley, Jack Dawson, Conor Cannon, Daniel O’Malley ©
SUBS | Killian Conway for Ludden (63), Jack O’Malley for D O’Malley (68), Ethan McGing for C McGing (73), Peter McGowan for Moran (78), Malachi Forde, Matthew Staunton, Simeon Popow.
TEACHERS | Brian Flannary, Darragh Connolly
COLÁISTE AN SPIORAID NAOIMH, BISHOPSTOWN | Senan Dorgan ©, Dylan McCarthy, Jordan McCarthy, Matthew Quirke, Robert O’Leary, Jayden O’Leary, Seán Kirby, Quenten Danza, Geoffrey Zeph, Chris Harrington, Ryan O’Leary
SUBS | Kian Nagle for Danza (68), Callum Caplice for R O’Leary (72), Jack Smyth for Quirke (73), Daniel Castles, Jordan Millard, Odhran Foley, Mark O’Brien, Gary Holland
TEACHERS | Richard O’Regan, Martin McElligott
MATCH OFFICIAL | Pat Gleeson (Clare)