St. Gerald’s conquer in Sligo
FAI Schools First Year Boys National Cup Semi Final (Under 14, Large Schools)
Tuesday, May 14, 2024
St. Gerald’s College, Castlebar 4-2 Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana
Noah Kirby (13), Cillian Keating (45, 60+5), Eddie Moran (59) Óisín O’Brien (33), Jamie O’Donnell (50)
ST. GERALD’S COLLEGE, CASTLEBAR got the better of Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana in the FAI Schools First Year Boys National Cup Semi Final clash in Ray MacSharry Park, Sligo this afternoon (Tuesday, May 14)
Buncrana’s Jamie O’Donnell had the first goal bound opportunity after ten minutes but he was denied by some great goalkeeping from Shane Rodgers.
The deadlock was broken three minutes later when Cillian Keating played a delightful pass across the box for Noah KIRBY to slot home.
O’Donnell again tested Rodgers between the posts mid-way through the half as St. Gerald’s maintained their clean sheet.
With 11 minutes remaining, St. Gerald’s nearly grabbed a second but Scoil Mhuire’s Peter Bradley cleared off the line after Cillian Keating rounded the keeper for an open goal.
St. Gerald’s College went in one up at the break.
Scoil Mhuire’s keeper Andrew McLaughlin had a superb game and he stepped up to the mark a minute into the re-start to deny Noah Kirby a second.
Two minutes later, Scoil Mhuire were level as a long ball over the top saw the talisman Jamie O’Donnell strike the crossbar but Óisín O’BRIEN headed home the rebound to make it one apiece.
With 36 minutes on the clock, Ethan Kelly’s wonderful free-kick ricocheted off the woodwork as well as Ruairí Mulroy hitting the side-netting for Castlebar.
Donegal’s Andrew McLaughlin was called into action two minutes later with two superb saves to keep out efforts from Kirby and Keating in quick succession.
St. Gerald’s managed to take the lead mid-way through the half after Cillian KEATING finally got past the impressive McLaughlin to restore that one goal cushion.
However, the tenacious Buncrana side levelled proceedings five minutes later through a brilliant Jamie O’DONNELL strike from just inside the box to make it two all.
The game looked as if it was heading to extra-time but Castlebar substitute Eddie MORAN guided in an inch perfect ball to see past McLaughlin with a minute of normal time remaining, 3-2.
Cillian KEATING managed to provide the security with his second and St. Gerald’s fourth five minutes into added time as they saw off a hard-working Ulster side in an entertaining encounter.
St. Gerald’s College will now await the winners of the other semi-final which sees St. Brendan’s College, Killarney up against newbies Willow Park Senior School, Blackrock in Nenagh AFC on Thursday afternoon (1.0)
The FAI Schools First Year Boys National Cup Final is down for decision on Thursday, May 23 (1.0)
ST. GERALD’S COLLEGE, CASTLEBAR | Shane Rodgers, Finn Ruane, Patrick Kennedy, Tom Frances, Conor Moran, Ethan Kelly, Ruairí Mulroy, Cillian Reilly ©, Matthew Daly, Cillian Keating, Noah Kirby
SUBS ROLL ON / OFF | Keelyn McHale, Oscar Rudzio, Eddie Moran, Ruairí Kearney, Ronan Quinn, Kajetan Wisniewski, Aaron Murphy
TEACHERS | David Joyce, Tom Byrne, James Robinson
SCOIL MHUIRE, BUNCRANA | Andrew McLaughlin, Caoimhin Crawford, Peter Bradley, Lorcan McCarron, Lukas Sligoris, Conor Spence, Óisín O’Brien, Cian McLaughlin, Jamie O’Donnell ©, Lee McDaid, Bobby Dillon
SUBS ROLL ON / OFF | Seimi McCallon, Donhan Dowds, Leon Davis, Darel Badza, Oran Doherty, Jason Moore, Kevin Gallonagh
TEACHER | Emmet McCauley
MATCH OFFICIAL | John Barry (Sligo)
