Moyle Park claim first ever National Cup title
FAI Schools Minor Boys National Cup Final (Under 15, Large Schools)
Wednesday, May 15, 2024
St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny 2-4 Moyle Park College, Clondalkin
Finn Nolan (22), Davin Kelly (35) Alex Snow (32), David Ngesi (48 pen, 53), Desmond Armstrong (70+3)
MOYLE PARK COLLEGE, CLONDALKIN came from behind twice to snatch the FAI Schools Minor Boys National Cup title as they overpowered St. Eunan’s College, Letterkenny in Athlone Town AFC this afternoon (Wednesday, May 15).
It was a pulsating conclusion to this season’s Cup campaign as new kids on the block Moyle Park College showed their winning flare late on to secure a first ever National Cup for the school.
St. Eunan’s enjoyed the more positive start to proceedings as the impressive Shai Thompson hit the side netting with ten minutes on the clock following a lovely through ball from Mark McGuinness.
Clondalkin responded moments later through David Ngesi as he forced a terrific save from Cormac Crossan.
The opening goal came on 22 minutes as a long ball from Crossan was controlled beautifully by Finn NOLAN who bet two defenders to round the ball past Homan in the Clondalkin goalmouth.
Clondalkin’s equaliser came three minutes from the interval as Alex SNOW struck the back of the Eunan’s net for one apiece.
St. Eunan’s Captain Davin KELLY pulled off an incredible strike just on the stroke of half-time to take a slender 2-1 lead into the break.
It took Moyle Park College thirteen minutes into the re-start to claim another valuable equaliser with David NGESI converting from the penalty spot for 2-2.
Moyle Park then took the lead for the first time in the match as David NGESI added a third for the Dubliners and his second of the afternoon with 53 minutes played.
Desmond ARMSTRONG made sure of the win when he caught St. Eunan’s off guard to slot home in the third minute of added time, finishing brilliantly for 4-2.
Huge disappointment for Donegal as they managed the game well for huge parts of the contest but Clondalkin showed their skill and composure to get back into the game and they took their chances well.
A phenomenal year for the Under 15 Moyle Park College crew as they’ve played 18 games now, securing 18 wins, scoring 86 goals and conceding 15. They’re going for their fifth piece of silverware this season when they take on Oatlands College, Mount Merrion in an all Dublin affair in Marley Park next Monday at 11 o’clock.
ST. EUNAN’S COLLEGE, LETTERKENNY | Cormac Crossan, Evan Duffy, Jonah Cannon, Dónal McBride, Blake Merideth, Davin Kelly ©, Ryan Buckley, Adam Rodgers, Finn Nolan, Mark McGuinness, Shai Thompson
SUBS ROLL ON / OFF | Zack Gallagher, Temple Akpo, Kyron Creevy, Adam Dwyer, Max McKeever, Bradley Boyle, Cahir Daly
TEACHERS | Paul Browne, Ollie Horgan
MOYLE PARK COLLEGE, CLONDALKIN | Elliot Homan, David Onquzulumba, Ayo Taiwo, Tadgh Prizeman ©, Mastas Mockus, Jack Salinger, Alex Snow, Charlie Quinn, Preston Gaynor, Desmond Armstrong, David Ngesi
SUBS ROLL ON / OFF | Roan McGrath, Jamie Byrne, Zach Healy, Corey Higgins, Max Ellis, Dylan Taylor, Kester Efe
TEACHERS | Richard Kerins, Kevin Condren
MATCH OFFICIAL | Martin Hatchett (Athlone)
