Under 19 Senior B Munster FAI Schools Soccer John Murphy Cup Match Report
Coláiste Mhuire Askeaton v St. Peter’s CS, Passage West
Date: Wednesday, 17/1/24
Kick Off: 12:00
Venue: The Manor Fields, Adare
Referee:Eugene Nunan
Assistants: Gerry O’ Connor & Pat O’Connor
REPORT Chris Melnyk
Coláiste Mhuire Askeaton 1-5 St. Peter’s CS, Passage West
St. Peter’s Community School, Passage West claimed the Under 19 Senior B Munster FAI Schools John Murphy Cup in a tremedous 5-1 win over County Limerick School, Coláiste Mhuire Askeaton. In a repeat of last year’s final, hat-trick hero Eoghan Farrell and his superb team mates made sure that Cork school St. Peter’s CS went home with the cup this time around.
On a cold and crisp but sunny January afternoon at the Manor Fields, Adare, the John Murphy Cup final got of to a frantic start with both sides going on the attack from the onset. With the game being played a lighting pace, it was not long before the game had its first goal. Despite St. Peter’s having the better of the early chances, it was county limerick school, Coláiste Mhuire Askeaton who took the lead as midfielder AJ Moroney let fly with a thunderous effort which arrowed into the goal. Desperate to get an equaliser, St. Peter’s pummelled the Colaiste Mhuire Askeaton goal with a series of chances but their keeper James Ranahan stood firm; with some fine saves. However, as the clocked ticked towards half time, disastor struck for Colaiste Mhuire Askeaton as St. Peter’s CS got an equaliser. The goal came from St. Peter’s CS forward Eoghan Farell who turned in a low cross from Kristian O’Callaghan after a defensive mistake from the Limerick sides’s backline. This goal meant that the sides went in level at half time, with the game tied a 1-1.
After the break, perhaps with last year’s final heartache spurring them on, St. Peter’s CS came out with renewed vigour, determination and intent. Shortly afterwards, the Passage West School got their reward as Eoghan Farrell scored a wonder goal from outside of the box to bag his and his school’s second goal of the game. Colaiste Mhuire Askeaton were rocked by this goal and soon found themselves 3-1 down. The tremedous Farrell was again the goalscorer for St. Peter’s, finishing low to the keepers near post from the edge of the box. Colaiste Mhuire Askeaton then subbed on Brooklyn Delahunty and Zach Birdthistle in attack in an effort to change the game. However, as Colaiste Mhuire Askeaton pushed forward as they tried in vain to get back into the game, St. Peter’s CS added two more fantastic goals to the scoreline through Liam Quinn and Scott Moynihan; to make it 5-1. The game ended in a 5-1 win for St. Peter’s CS, Passage West. As final whistle sounded, St. Peter’s CS players, coaches and support erupted in jubilant celebration realising the feat that they have just achieved; winning the u19 Munster Senior Soccer John Murphy Cup.
Winning manager Kit O’Keeffe praised the standard of football on display and congratulated Colaiste Mhuire Askeaton on their Munster campaign this year; noting that he “understands the heartache of losing a Munster Final” as they lost last year’s final to their 2024 final opponents (Colaiste Mhuire Askeaton). He went on congratulate his team on their “excellent performance, hard-work and determination” which helped them achieve their ambitions of becoming the u19 Senior John Murphy Cup Munster soccer champions. Opposing manager Íde Trant also praised the standard of football on show and congratulated St. Peter’s CS, Passage West on their win.
Well done to both teams on an excellent final. The game was played in good spirits, with great football on display. Congratulations to St. Peter’s Community School, Passage West on winning the u19 Senior Munster John Murphy Cup and commiserations to Coláiste Mhuire Askeaton. St. Peter’s Community School, Passage West now progress to the All-Ireland semi-final.
Coláiste Mhuire Askeaton
1. James Ranahan, 2. Thomas McCarthy, 3. Jake Higgins, 4. Aidan O’Malley (Capt), 5. Cathal O’Sullivan, 6. John Fitzsimons, 7. Ben Higgins, 8. Robbie O’ Donnell, 9. Dylan Costello, 10. Senan Walsh (V Capt), 11. AJ Moroney, 12. Billy Brewer, 13. Brooklyn Delahunty, 14. Zach Birdthistle
15. Christopher Sheehy, 16. Aidan Fogarty, 17. Arron McCarthy, 18. John Connors, 19. Eoin O’Donnell, 20. Evan Costello, 21. Daniel Ruane, 22. Pat Hehir, 23. Euan Sheehy, 24. Luke Kelly
25. Stephen Maune, 26. Oleh Yevtusthenko, 27. Killian Reidy, 28. Patrick Kelly and 29. Paddy Harty.
Manager: Íde Trant
St. Peter’s Community School, Passage West
1. Eduardo Bessone, 2. Liam Quinn, 3. Darragh Lehane, 4. Scott Moynihan, 5. Darragh McCarthy
6. Mark Lester (Capt.), 7. Hugo Recio, 8. Brian Linehan, 9. Rhema Mbakwe, 10. Eoghan Farrell,
11. Kristian O Callaghan, 12. John Deasy, 13. Eoghan McInerney, 14. Tomas Hanlon, 15. Sean Coughlan, 16. Jamie Nduwuba, 17. Golding Nduwuba, 18. Ryan Dalton and 19. Jake Walsh
Manager: Kit O’Keeffe