CHASING CUP GLORY
ST Augustine’s College Cairns will represent North Queensland at the Bill Turner Cup state finals after a comprehensive 3-0 win against Ignatius Park College at Tiger Park.
The sides were evenly matched in the first half before Declan MacAllister scored from a penalty for the home side.
St Augustine’s took control of possession through a strong defensive unit, ensuring goalkeeper Myles Howard didn’t have too much work to do at the back.
The second half was oneway traffic for the home side, and goals to Aaron Dempsey and Tom Waddingham sealed the result.
Coach Terry McDonough said it took some time for his side to settle.
“We lacked a bit of finishing at the start but now we’ve got to prepare for the state championships,” McDonough said.
“They’re a quality outfit, they’re never going to go away quietly. That second goal was important, and the third one put them to sleep.
“It took a little while to get on top of them that’s for sure.”
St Augustine’s will now have to organise travel for its team to the home of Peninsula Power, north of Brisbane, for the finals in the first week of August.
“We’ve got to make arrangements pretty quickly now, but hopefully we can surprise a few sides,” McDonough said.
“I’m supposed to be away on a camp but I’ll have a word with the boss and see if he can free me up. Whichever way it goes we’ll have the boys down there.”
Dempsey was named St Augustine’s College’s star player after a strong performance at No.10.
Iggy Park coach Jonathon Pearce praised St Augustine’s performance, backing the FNQ school to go all the way.
“We’ve lost to an excellent side today and there’s no shame in that,” Pearce said.
“We’ve got some great footballers but St Augustine’s are really well drilled. The best team definitely won.”
Goalkeeper Josh Eckford was kept busy at the back, pulling off several superb saves to be named the visitors’ best.
Iggy Park dominated its run to the Round of the 32 clash but could not match the welldrilled Saints outfit.
“Our goalkeeper was man of the match for us, and that says a lot,” Pearce said. “We just couldn’t get into the game.
“We can walk away with our heads held high.”
The win means Far North schools will represent NQ in both competitions, after Cairns SHS beat Mackay SHS 10-0 in the Bill Turner Trophy earlier this week.