O’Sullivan strike sees Castleisland through
FAI Schools First Year ‘B’ Boys National Cup Semi Final (Under 14, Small Schools)
Tuesday, September 19, 2023
Castleisland Community College 1-0 Clifden Community School
Padraig O’Sullivan (21)
A solitary goal courtesy of Castleisland Captain Padraig O’SULLIVAN was enough to see his side overcome a tenacious Clifden Community School in Frank Healy Park, Ennis this afternoon (September 19).
It was a game of two halves played in tough conditions as Castleisland dominated much of the first thirty while Clifden showed glimpses of magic in the second period.
The crucial moment of the game came in the 21st minutes when Padraig O’Sullivan launched a deceitful set piece from distance which eluded the Clifden keeper and squeezed into the bottom corner.
Clifden did respond with a lovely chance ten minutes later as the hardworking Ellis Deane tried to chip the keeper at the edge of the box but Ciaran Ryan was alert to the danger and cleared the crafty attempt.
The Munster stars went into the break with the slight advantage.
Castleisland started as they finished with a fabulous manoeuvre which saw Nolan get on the end of a cross field pass from O’Sullivan but the agile netminder Filip Dros managed to smothered the effort.
Moments later it was Clifden on the counter attack as Alex Conneely had a delightful strike on target but the Castleisland shot stopper palmed the ball over the upright. The resulting corner saw Evan O’Malley’s snapshot saved bravely as the Galway students enjoyed a purple patch.
Aidan Keane, Fionn McDonnell and Zak Mulkerrins came into the game a little more as the game progressed and found Alex Connelly, Owen McDonnell and Darragh Michel in space but neither trio could get past Ryan in goal when called upon.
Castleisland scored a second on 38 minutes but Jamie Nolan’s goal was chalked off for off-side.
Clifden pressed forward at every opportunity but the industrious Ciaran Ryan kept his clean sheet and Castleisland managed to weather the storm and see the game out.
The other semi-final pairing will see Largy College, Clones face Gaelcholáiste na Mara of Arklow. The Clones side won their provincial encounter yesterday in Ballyshannon with a 1-0 win over Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair.
These semi-finalists would have met last season in the John Murphy Cup semi-final in Ashbourne with the Arklow lads advancing 1-0 that afternoon. Gearoid O’Healaithe’s side went on to win the National title defeating St. Joseph’s SS, Foxford on penalties. They’ll be hoping to add to their trophy tally next week when the two teams meet while Clones will be looking for some revenge. Details of that fixture have yet to be confirmed.
CASTLEISLAND COMMUNITY COLLEGE, KERRY | Ciaran Ryan, Jamie Nolan, Cillian Moroney, Daniel O’Sullivan, Jukub Surgen, Danny Murphy, Shea O’Connor, Padraig O’Sullivan ©, Graham West, Tadhg McCarthy, Cian Pembrooke
ROLL ON / OFF SUBS | James Barry, Mikie McCarthy, Aaron McCarthy, Sam McCarthy, Jack O’Connor
TEACHERS | Aidan Joy, David Scullard
CLIFDEN COMMUNITY SCHOOL, GALWAY | Filip Dros, Stanislav Trunal, Fionn McDonnell, Zak Mulkerrins, Ethan Coyne, Aidan Keane, Evan O’Malley, Darragh Michel, Owen McDonnell ©, Ellis Deane, Alex Conneely
ROLL ON / OFF SUBS | Tristan Son, Ronan Joyce, Mikey O’Toole, Tom Mansfield, Matthew Conneely
TEACHERS | Ger Needham, Fearghal O’Rourke
MATCH OFFICIAL | Pa Gleeson (Clare)
