FAI Schools Minor Boys National Cup Final (Under 15, Large Schools)
Tuesday, May 16, 2023
Christian Brothers College, Cork 1-2 Marist College, Athlone
Donal O’Connor (62 pen) Diarmuid O’Higgins (35, 55)
Athlone youngster Diarmuid O’HIGGINS netted a fabulous brace to help Marist College, Athlone claim the FAI Schools Minor Boys National Cup title in Fairview Rangers AFC, Limerick last Friday (May 12).
It was a tense conclusion to proceedings as Christian Brothers College grabbed a vital goal eight minutes from time but Martin Grogan’s side just managed to contain the threat and see out the game for a brilliant victory.
It was a lively opening half but the game remained scoreless just seconds before the interval as O’Higgins hit a screamer from inside the box to smack the top corner as the Athlone lads went one ahead at the break.
Sam Byrne cleared a goal-bound shot courtesy of a fantastic strike from Cork Captain Donal O’Connor four minutes in and seconds later, Jimmy Walshe saved superbly from a Tom McGrath effort.
O’Higgins secured his second of the afternoon on 55 minutes as Sean Keegan put the goal-scorer through on goal and the Athlone scholar lobbed the keeper from an acute angle inside the box to give them some breathing space.
Athlone’s Whittaker and Keegan came close as well as a stinging shot from Cork’s Liam Cregan but no further goals were in-coming.
Then eight minutes from time, CBC were given a life-line as O’Connor was fouled inside the box and he duly converted the penalty in fine style leaving for an entertaining finish.
Ben Herlihy had another great chance to level up the game three minutes from time but the ball went inches wide of the target.
Athlone were relieved to hear the final whistle as they got their hands on the silverware, last won in 2007 by the Westmeath School.
CHRISTIAN BROTHERS COLLEGE, CORK | Harry Walsh, Liam Lynch, Elliott Quin, Cathal Walsh, Donal O’Connor ©, Max Murphy, Darragh Morley, Tom McGrath, Liam Cregan, Aidan O’Shea, Ben Phillips
SUBS ROLL ON / OFF | Ben Herlihy, Shane Kavanagh, Michael Scott, James Costello, Rory Cullinane
EXTENDED SQUAD | Dave O’Connell, Seán O Sé, Fionn Conway, Larry Butler, Ryan Manley, Donal Barry
TEACHER | Stephen Hogan COACHES | Tim Mawe, Rory Murphy
MARIST COLLEGE, ATHLONE Jimmy Walshe, Patrick Collins, Sam Byrne, Dylan Dennehy, Abdul Odusoga, William Geraghty, Sean Whittaker, Dan Costello ©, Sean Keegan, Diarmuid O’Higgins, Jossi Ticajose
SUBS ROLL ON / OFF | Thomas Egan, Cian Duffy, Conor Casey, John Timlin, Louie Shine
SUBS NOT USED | Mikey Sammon, Aaron Hardiman, Barra Powell, Sean McGorisk, James Petit, Cody Ainsough, DJ Connaughton, John Okegneboro, Jack O’Shea, Cian Marshall, Rian Fallon, Leandro Mirandan, Thomas Kenny, Gary Staunton (inj)
TEACHERS | Martin Grogan, Stephen Walshe
MATCH OFFICIAL | Ed Darcy (Limerick)
