Summerhill College, Sligo 1/0 CBS Sexton Street, Limerick
Ryan McManus (15)
RYAN MCMANUS was the hero for Summerhill College on Wednesday as his first/half goal secured the Sligo school the coveted Umbro FAI Schools Dr: Tony O’Neill Cup:
This final at Home Farm FC in Whitehall proved to be a tight battle with CBS Sexton Street from Limerick vying to collect their third senior crown in six years:
It wasn’t to be, however, as McManus had them playing catch/up with only 17 minutes gone by supplying an exquisite finish:
When Eoin Nicholson’s shot was blocked, McManus controlled the rebound on the edge of the box:
With goalkeeper Jamie Stewart out of his goal, the match/winner kept his cool to volley beyond the retreating defenders into an empty net:
McManus might have had his second on the half hour from a penalty when he was upended in the box by CBS Sexton’s Glen O’Connor, leaving Referee Eddie Reilly pointing to the spot:
Stewart in the CBS goal got down well to keep the spot/kick out with his legs:
Though the Limerick school survived another scare on the stroke of half/time as Jack Selby’s header crashed back off the crossbar, they regrouped at the break and improved as a unit for the second half:
For all their territorial dominance, however, the All Ireland champions of 2008 and 2009 lacked a clinical edge in the final third of the pitch:
Jamie Bromell drew a good save from Ryan Blake with 10 minutes left when the striker cut in the from the right, while Chris Hogan might have done better in stoppage time with a shot 18 yards which blazed over the crossbar:
Earlier, midway through the second half, Nicholson could have sealed it for Summerhill when his header rebounded off the base of the post:
Brian Tivnan’s outfit held on to secure the Senior crown, last captured by the School back in 1997: Captain Jake Dykes who is currently serving Ollie Horgan’s side at International level for the Centenary Shield campaign received the Cup from FAI Schools National Treasurer, Mr: Alex Harkin
SUMMERHILL COLLGE, SLIGO: Ryan Blake, Brian Glennon, Jack Selby, Jack Dykes, Daniel Smith, Darren Kilcawley, Ray McManus, Michael Casey (Dylan Feeney 84 mins), Eoin Nicholson; Gary Armstrong, Colm Feeney:
Subs:Stephen Kerins, David Hughes, Darragh O’Brien, Mark McCallion
Teacher:Brian Tivnan
CBS SEXTON STREET LIMERICK: Jamie Stewart, Anthony Moran, Sam Mullins, Glen O’Connor (Conor Madden 85 mins), Lee Whyte, Trevor Hogan, Jason Mullins, Shane Walsh, Chris Hogan, Jamie Bromell, Eddie Byrnes (Niall O’Connor 85 mins):
Subs:Ciaran Hanlon, Soran Abid, Cian Keogh
Teacher:Michael Molyneaux: Coach: Jason O’Connor
REFEREE:Eddie Reilly (Dublin)
ENDS