St: Eunan’s College, Letterkenny 1/0 De La Salle College, Waterford
Kieran McPherson (40)
ST: EUNAN’S COLLEGE, LETTERKENNY secured an All Ireland double Cup success after their U/15 side were crowned Umbro FAI Schools All Ireland Minor Boys Champions this afternoon following a pulsating tie with their old rivals De La Salle College of Waterford at the Oscar Traynor Complex, Coolock:
A solitary goal from Kieran McPherson shortly after the interval ensured a double All Ireland success for his School:
The U/17 side had already managed to capture the Junior Cup thanks to a 3/1 win over De La Salle at the same venue some seven days previously (April 24): Chris Flanagan had opened the scoring for the Ulster outfit inside ten minutes and the lead was doubled six minutes later as Cathal McDaid made it two without reply: Waterford’s International star Connor Whittle brought it back to just a one goal deficit with four minutes remaining to ensure a nervous ending to a closely fought encounter: However it was to be St: Eunan’s day as substitute Michael Millar made it 3/1 in the dying minutes of the game to secure the title for Letterkenny:
The DLS mentor’s Moore and Nevin made two changes to the team that defeated St: Joseph’s College, Galway in extra time of their All Ireland semi final decider as Eddie Meaney replaced Aidan Holden and Eoin Daly was called ahead of Kyle Collins for this Minor Cup tie:
The first half remained scoreless despite some excellent passages of play in the opening quarter: The deadlock was thanks to some superior goalkeeping from both sides: There was nothing between the finalists in the first thirty minutes and it would need a moment of magic to gift one of these two teams the win:
Eunan’s sharp shooters Oisin Hassett and Kieran McPherson were given the green light this afternoon having netted in their All Ireland semi final tie two weeks previously against Ratoath College and McPherson was again on hand to bring the Cup up North:
The moment of magic came ten minutes into the second half as the Letterkenny native netted for the Saints following an excellent turn in the box and coolly slotted into the bottom corner to give Horgan’s side the advantage:
Waterford’s No: 1 Stephen Doheny was called into action minutes later as he palmed off Ciaran Maloney’s attempt while the rebound fell to Patrick Driver who blazed the ball over the upright scorning the chance to double the Eunan’s lead:
Driver and McPherson linked well in the build up, to yet another, well executed manoeuvre which saw the Eunan’s goal scorer go one and one with the Waterford net minder: The keeper pulled off another wonderful save to deny the Donegal youngster:
It was the turn of Letterkenny keeper to shine as it was end to end action midway through the second half:
De La Salle went agonisingly close to securing an equaliser only for Aaron O’Connor’s screamer to drift just wide of the post following excellent position play from Rory Carr in goal:
A lightning shot from the lively Luke Doherty was saved bravely from ‘keeper Carr as the game came to life:
A counter attack from the St: Eunan’s front men saw McPherson feed Maloney with a sweet left footed pass from midfield: Maloney just couldn’t compose himself in front of goal as his effort sailed inches over the crossbar:
De La Salle substitute Kyle Collins was gifted another wonderful opportunity to equalise in the dying minutes of the game but again Rory Carr was on hand to master an incredible save:
Both shot stoppers had superb games and can be credited for keeping their school in contention as a brace of chances were scorned late on:
Heartfelt disappointment for the De La Salle lads who lost their second consecutive shot at All Ireland glory this season
But it was scenes of joy for the Eunan’s supporters who made the long journey to the Capital to see Captain Ciaran Maloney lift the Cup marking a magnificent year for the Letterkenny School:
DE LA SALLE COLLEGE, WATERFORD: Stephen Doheny, Chris Thomas, Dylan McGuire, Roy Butler, Eddie Meaney, Robert Ryan, Luke Doherty, Hayden Galibert, Eoin Daly, Aaron O' Connor, Dean Walsh
Subs used: Kyle Collins (for Dean Walsh, 40), Jack Power (for Hayden Galibert, 55), Conor Dalton (for Eoin Daly, inj:)
Other subs: Craig Dunphy, Aidan Holden, Calum O’Neill, Darragh Morgan, Luke Nolan, John O’Donoghue
Teachers: Mark Moore and Paidi Nevin
ST: EUNAN’S COLLEGE, LETTERKENNY: Rory Carr, Nathan McElwaine, Darragh Harper, Liam Blaney, Darragh McWalters, Oisin Hassett, Paul O Brien, Ciaran Maloney, Kieran Mc Pherson, Patrick Diver, Caolan McDaid
Subs: Luke Nelis, Cormac Cannon, Ryan McLaughlin, Sam Murphy, Shea McElwaine, Sean Crossan, Oisin O Boyle
Teachers: Ollie Horgan and Michael Kelly
REFEREE: David Davidson
