FAI Schools John Murphy Senior ‘B’ Boys National Cup FINAL (Under 19, Small Schools)
Friday, February 10, 2023
Gaelcholáiste na Mara, Arklow 2-2 St. Joseph’s Secondary School, Foxford (AET) Arklow won 4-2 on penos
Colm McHale (32), Colm Rutledge (99) Patrick Leccardi (87), Louis MacMaolcholium (115)
A CUP FINAL like no other! Four goals converted, two goals disallowed, six yellow cards, one man dismissed, extra time drama and penalties with Gaelcholáiste na Mara sensationally coming from behind twice to clinch the John Murphy Cup in extraordinary circumstances in Athlone Town AFC this afternoon (February 10)
FOXFORD’s, St. Joseph’s Secondary School were going for the double as the girls sealed success in the Senior ‘B’ Cup 10 days previously in the Midlands venue but it wasn’t to be for Brian Murphy’s side as he was just three minutes away from a unique achievement.
The Cup decider started lively with both teams creating a lot of good football early on.
The Gaelcholáiste na Mara keeper Adam O’Laoire had to be alert to pull off three consecutive saves with his feet as St. Joseph’s applied the pressure in the early exchanges. Some excellent goalkeeping from the youngster.
Tadhg O’Se thought he had the dream start for Arklow but his goal was chalked off and a free out awarded, much to the relief of the Foxford crew with less than a quarter of an hour on the clock.
The opening goal came from a well placed corner as Foxford’s Captain Adam Gallagher sent in a dangerous ball for Colm McHALE to convert, 32 minutes in. They lead 1-0 at the interval with very little between the two teams in a highly entertaining contest.
Fiachra Cruise thought he doubled the Foxford tally 12 minutes into the restart but it was deemed a handball from the midfielder and disallowed.
Gaelcholáiste na Mara turned on the style in the last ten minutes going in search of the elusive equaliser. Foxford’s defence held firm.
Arklow’s Louis Mac Maolcholium had a great run in front of goal but the talented Shane Moyles saved bravely to deny the defender with four minutes to go.
A one minute later, Captain Patrick LECCARDI popped up to spring the equaliser and force this thriller to extra-time.
The first real opportunity in the first period of extra-time fell to St. Joseph’s substitute Ollie Armstrong but once again Adam Ó Laoire was ever present to palm the ball over the crossbar midway through proceedings.
With a minute to go until the half-time interval, another substitute made a name for himself as Colm RUTLEDGE netted for a superb finish. Could that be the dramatic late winner for the Saints?
Alas there was more drama, as an Arklow set-piece following the resumption of play resulted in a goal but it was disallowed for an infringement on one of the Mayo defenders.
Arklow has a reputation for extra-time thrillers and this afternoon was no different with Louis MacMAOLCHOLIUM eventually firing in the equaliser to make it two apiece with five minutes left on the clock.
Soon after, Arklow were reduced to ten men as Chris O’Briain was brandished with his second yellow of the afternoon and subsequent red. Could Arklow hold-out to seal their faith in the penalty shoot-out.
And so it was, the dreaded spot kicks to decide the Cup holders for 2023.
Again it was O’Laoire with the last ditch heroics saving from Foxford’s first and fourth spot-kick. The Leinster Champions thrived on their experience in these scenarios to see out a pulsating 4-2 victory.
Gaelcholáiste na Mara needed extra-time and penalties in all of their Cup outings this season with the exception of their National Cup semi-final win over Ulster stars Largy College, seeing out 1-0 in the end of normal time. The experience gained from these tense battles surely stood to them in the final moments of that exciting conclusion to the Cup tie.
Previous winners in 2019, St. Joseph’s Secondary School can be very proud of their stunning performance this afternoon with fine margins casting the ultimate prize.
A first National Cup title for the Wicklow contingency who will be hoping to build on such success in their Leinster League endeavours later in the month.
GAELCHOLÁISTE NA MARA, ARKLOW | Adam Ó Laoire, Chris Ó Briain, Louis Mac Maolcholium, Fenn ó hUallacháin, Patrick Leccardi ©, Brian Mac Cathmhaoil, Oscar Mac Maolcholium, Dylan Ó Leannáin, Cian Ó Nualláin, Tadhg Ó Sé, Brian ó hUrthuile
SUBS | Sam Mac Criostaí for Oscar Mac Maolcholium (67), Liam de Búrca for Brian ó hUrthuile (67), Karl ó Droma, Seosamh ó Caoindealbháin, Cian ó Néill
EXTENDED SQUAD | Tomás ó Raghlaigh, Oisín ó Broin, Oisín ó Raghlaigh, Peter ó Maolagáin, Ed ó Broin, Cormac Mac An Bhaird, James Mac Cartaigh, Conor ó Laithleasa, Sebastian Vearnakuski, Tomás ó Faoláin, Luke Mac Craith, Jack Mac Flionn
TEACHERS | Gearoid o hEalaithe, Dearan Mac Craith STUDENT COACHES | Ben ó Maonaigh, Zach ó Tuathail, Kyle Mac an Muilleann, Charlie Mac Tiarnáin
ST. JOSEPH’S SECONDARY SCHOOL, FOXFORD | Shane Moyles, Jamie Clarke, Ronan Holmes, Tuan O'Horo, Colm McHale, Adam Boukioud, Adam Gallagher ©, Fiachra Cruise, Kyle Neary, Dylan Coleman, Cathal Clarke
SUBS | Colm Rutledge for Adam Gallagher (61), Adrian Sotoparra for Fiachra Cruise (65), Ollie Armstrong for Kyle Neary (65), Aaron McDonnell, Leo Gallagher for Ronan Holmes (112)
EXTENDED SQUAD | Mark Nelson, Sam Thornton, Kian Clarke, Oran McHale, Darragh Holmes, Ajay McGrath, Joshua Dootson
TEACHERS | Brian Murphy, Stephen Burke COACH | Joe Faughnan
MATCH OFFICIAL | Paul Tone (Athlone)
