UMBRO FAI Schools Minor (U14) Boys All Ireland Semi Final

Limerick CBS defeat Sligo and Letterkenny overhaul Lucan

Limerick CBS 4 (Soran Abid (7, 30, 56, 65) - 2 Summerhill College, Sligo ( Ryan McManus (45), Mark Gerrity (62)

Limerick’s sole striker Soran Abid was the star for Sexton Street, CBS with two goals apiece in either half to over-power a skilful Summerhill side in Salthill Devon last Wednesday (21 April).

Soran scored the first of four with seven minutes played as his crisp run down the centre found him with ample time to set up a shot from ten yards out. He fired past the keeper’s inside post with a fashionable finish.

Limerick’s Eoin McDonnell had an unfortunate mishap which almost led to a Sligo equaliser as the defender attempted to clear his line after an initial Cian Brehony strike. The ball hit the crossbar much to McDonnell’s relief.

At the other end, Daniel Smith cleared off the line in dramatic style to cover Ryan Blake’s foiled attempt at a save after a blast from Christopher Hogan was too powerful to handle.

Abid’s second of the afternoon came on the half hour mark courtesy of a quick free kick from Daniel Kennedy. His first attempt was well blocked by Blake but he made no mistake with the second attempt.

Limerick led 2-0 at the interval despite Summerhill playing the better football.

Sligo started the half in promising fashion with a well executed set piece from Dylan Conboy. The youngster’s swirling ball was met by the head of Ryan McManus who narrowly missed out on bringing Sligo back into contention.

It wasn’t long for Sligo to retain a foot hold on proceedings with the game coming to life ten minutes later. Dylan Corcoran turned supplier from a corner kick which led Ryan McManus to jump highest to bet Dean Philips at the back post.  2-1 to Limerick with Sligo looking to produce a sterling comeback.

The game was sown up for Limerick as the ever present Soran Abid cancelled Manus’s earlier effort four minutes later when he fired the ball past Ryan Blake for his hat trick. It was an excellent individual goal for the Limerick lad as he crafted the ball with ease from the left wing to the centre of the park and bet three defenders enroute to slot the ball into the open goal.

Sligo brought the game to Limerick yet again when they registered their second on the hour mark. Malachy Spratt had a break down the left and delivered an inviting pass across the face of the goal for Mark Gerrity to tap in. The Summerhill following were spurned on when Ryan Blake denied Soran Abid from close range after great link play with Christopher Hogan.

However it wasn’t long before Abid got his revenge with his fourth of the day. The lone striker was on hand moments later to dash the dreams of Summerhill College as his effort went in off the woodwork to leave Sligo’s hearts shattered.

Limerick CBS: Niall O’Connor, Roy Hartigan, Dean Phillips, Eoin McDonnell, Sam Mullins, Kieran Bennett, Niall McNamara, Trevor Hogan, Soran Abid, James Bromell, Christopher Hogan

Subs: Shane Walsh for McNamara (52), Noel Whyte, Kevin Slattery, James Walsh for Abid (70), Craig Downes

Teacher: Shane O’Sullivan

Summerhill College, Sligo: Ryan Blake, Brian Glennon, Steven Kearns, Daniel Smith, Dylan Conboy, Darren Kilcawley, Cian Brehony, Ryan McManus, Mark McCallion, Gary Armstrong, Dylan Corcoran

Subs: Dylan Scott, Malachy Spratt for Mark McCallion (47), Mark Gerrity for Darren Kilcawley, Keelan McCabe, Conor McDaniel

Teacher: Anthony Flynn

Referee: Tony Geasley (Galway)

St. Eunan’s College 1 (Daire McDaid (51) - 1 Colaiste Phadraig ( Timmy Babbington (7), Lucan CBS (AET4-1 PENS) 

Ninety minutes of competitive play was not enough for these two Schools to end the deadlock and a dreaded penalty shootout was to prove the ultimate dismissal for Colaiste Phadraig, Lucan CBS as Letterkenny lad’s St. Eunan’s dominated the spot kicks.

The Eunan’s shot stopper, Sean Patton was the hero of the day with two spectacular saves denying Gabriel Brosnan and Daniel Kennedy in quick concession at Kingspan Century Park on Thursday last (22 April).

The Lucan side made a commanding start to their semi final clash with the ball in the back of the Eunan’s net within 60 seconds. Conor Foley played a great through ball for Afeez Asiru to connect with but the young striker edged defender Jordan McBride and referee Paul Oliphant immediately ruled for off-side

Six minutes later, Colaiste Phadraig were to register one for real. Lucan’s John Lowry lofted a high ball into Timmy Babbington whose first touch was superb to control the ball under pressure. He side stepped Sean Hume to boot the ball to the top corner for a fantastic finish.

St. Eunan’s came close to equalising 13 minutes in when Daire McDaid connected well with a Sean Hume free kick but the glancing header nicked the woodwork.

It was another set piece that led to another half chance for Donegal as Captain Dale Gorman sent Keelan O’Donnell through on goal. O’Donnell put too much on the ball as it drifted high over the upright.

Letterkenny made the first change of the afternoon as Jason Doherty was introduced for the injured Keelan O’Donnell at half time.

Lucan applied the pressure early on with John Boland going close after the restart.

Eunan’s keeper Sean Patton was called into action seven minutes later as both Sean McGraine and Timmy Babbinton were denied by some athletic work from the post master as he pulled off a double save inside the six yard box.

Substitute Doherty was gifted a goal but his strike was directed straight at Ian Molloy who saved comfortably.

The Ulster Champs found some form and equalised with twenty minutes remaining. Paddy O’Loan’s initial effort was saved by Molloy but there was nothing the keeper could do when Daire McDaid connected with the rebound.

Lucan changed formation with the introduction of Conor Moore for Aaron Clancy but their efforts were in vain.

Ronan Sweeney delivered a sweeping ball from defence for Ryan McConnell to run at. McConnell immediately played in O’Loan but Molloy was again on hand to palm the ball past the right post as normal time drew to a conclusion.

Both teams were reluctant to press forward in extra time and the last of the action saw Afeez Asiru aim wide of the right after great work from team mate Timmy Babbington.

Eunan’s won the toss and opted to shoot first. A confident Ryan McConnell, Dale Gorman, Daire McDaid and Sean Hume all scored as keeper Patton pulled off two excellent saves to ensure St. Eunan’s a place in yet another All Ireland Final.

St. Eunan’s College: Sean Patton, Ronan Sweeney, Jordan McBride, Oisin Carr, Sean Hume, Dale Gorman (Capt), Ryan McConnell, Keelan O’Donnell, Daire McDaid, Paddy O’Loan, Glenn McNulty

Subs: Gerard Patton, Jason Doherty for Donnell (h/t), Anthony Ward, Joe Davies, Ryan Gildea

Teachers: Michael Harkin & Gerard Faulkner

Colaiste Phadraig, Lucan CBS: Ian Molloy, Daniel Kennedy, Dean Cardiff, Sean Cleary, Gabriel Bocsan, Glen Hoey, Conor Foley, Afeez Asiru, Sean McGraine, Timmy Babbington, Aaron Clancy

Subs: Conor Moore for Clancy (50), John Lowry, John Boland, Niall O’Connor, Conor Moran

Teacher: Ray Cullen

Referee: Paul Oliphant (Cavan/Monaghan)

To promote the game of Association Football in all schools, contact Diane O'Neill National Administrative Officer Football Association of Ireland Schools at diane.fay@fai.ie or on 01 8999522