Castleisland crowned National Cup Champions
FAI Schools First Year ‘B’ Boys National Cup Final (Under 14, Small Schools)
Tuesday, October 17, 2023
Castleisland Community College 1-0 Largy College, Clones
Padraig O’Sullivan (39)
CASTLEISLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE were crowned FAI Schools First Year ‘B’ Boys National Cup Champions having narrowly defeated Largy College in a thrilling encounter in Athlone Town AFC this afternoon (October 17)
Castleisland talisman Padraig O’SULLIVAN was the match day hero having secured the vital goal to ensure the Schools’ first National Cup title.
Both finalists would be renowned for their excellent GAA exploits but they played some extraordinary football in the Midlands venue this afternoon with very little between the two sides.
The Munster starlets started strongly and the industrious Jamie Nolan was close to scoring the opener after just six minutes but the ball crashed into the side netting.
Nolan was again involved four minutes later when Padraig O’Sullivan played a lovely ball over the top but the quick thinking Ciaran McMahon was alert to the danger and swung his right peg to clear his line.
Clones responded with a glancing header courtesy of Aidan McFarland but his effort went agonisingly wide of the mark.
Eoin McElaney was having some luck down the right flank but the game remained goalless at the interval as Castleisland slightly edged the first thirty.
The crucial moment in the game came nine minutes into the restart when star student Padraig O’SULLIVAN netted a beauty. Clones were awarded a throw in from thirty yards out but Danny Murphy did well to win it back for the Castleisland crew. Murphy slipped the ball to the onrushing O’Sullivan as he ran through the heart of the Largy defence and slotted calmly to the bottom left.
Jamie Nolan could have doubled their tally midway through the half but his hard work wasn’t rewarded as his strike was dragged across the face of the goal.
With ten minutes remaining, the talented Jude McGinty had a chance to equalise but the ball rolled off to the left of the post.
Castleisland’s physical dominance in defence held firm to keep the slight advantage despite Largy’s best efforts late on.
Massive disappointment for Keith Meisner’s side but they should take great confidence from their endeavours this term to ensure more National Cup appearances in years to come.
A historic day for Aidan Joy’s crew. No doubt the management team will be hoping to keep the squad together for the Minor Cup campaign later this season and perhaps add further silverware to their collection.
CASTLEISLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE | Ciaran Ryan, James Barry, Cian Pembroke, Jakub Surzyn, Daniel O’Sullivan, Killian Moroney, Jamie Nolan, Padraig O’Sullivan ©, Tadhg McCarthy, Graham West, Danny Murphy
ROLL ON / OFF SUBS | Jack O’Connor, Shea O’Connor, Aaron McCarthy, Sam McCarthy, Ryan Browne
EXTENDED PANEL | Ben McCarthy, Donal Ryan, Mikie McCarthy, Eoin Corcoran, Padraig O’Connor, Alex Ahern, Gabriel Roplea, Tiernan Riordan Deery, Robertas Voveris, Lochlan Short, Paddy O’Connor
TEACHERS | Aidan Joy & David Scollard
LARGY COLLEGE, CLONES | Ciaran McMahon, Daithi Hand, Donncha Quigley, James McCaffrey ©, Jay McCormick McDonald, Jude McGinty, Paddy McDonald, Aidan McFarland, Tyler Fisher, Mantas Paulauskas, Eoin McElaney
ROLL ON / OFF SUBS | Daniel Beagan, Matthew McGlone, Ultan Martin, John McCaffrey, Adam Agnew
EXTENDED PANEL | Odhran Carolan, Ciaran McCaughey, Ewan Connolly
TEACHERS | Keith Meisner & Ryan McAnespie
MATCH OFFICIAL | Dónal Sweeney (Roscommon)
