Thrilling decider goes to penalty kicks
THERE was unbridled joy for Drogheda Marsh Crescent and heartbreak for their opponents Termonfeckin Green as DMC came out on top in a penalty shootout to win the Under-11 Plate Final last Saturday.
Both the scheduled games were moved to the DIFE all-weather from Parkview as a precaution following Friday’s heavy rain and the real drama was in the younger of the age groups as Drogheda Marsh Crescent and Termonfeckin Green fought out a very close, entertaining and well-supported Under-11 decider.
With the sides deadlocked at 1-1 even after extra time, the final was decided on penalties and after the mandatory five kicks each the teams still couldn’t be separated, having converted three each.
And so it came down to sudden death and it was Drogheda Marsh Crescent who held their nerve to secure victory by the narrowest of margins.
Both teams’ players benefited from encouragement and praise from all the supporters, in keeping with the spirit and ethos of the FAI Player Development Plan.
In the other final played last Saturday afternoon after the completion of the shootout in the first game, Slane Under-14s found themselves a goal down in the early stages but fought back to defeat a gallant Moneymore 4-1.
Elsewhere, the Drogheda SL emerged emphatic 5-0 winners over their South Dublin counterparts in the Under-13 SFAI Inter League competition.
All 18 players involved produced great performances, with plenty of great football on show, and the goalscorers were Sam Heeney, Ultan McLaughlin, Keith Tighe, Adam Gillespie and Andy Murphy.
The squad’s focus will now turn to the group decider away to Wicklow in a few weeks’ time.
Meanwhile, the Drogheda Children’s League have announced that the last set of fixtures for 2018 will be on November 24th and 25th, with the league concluding on the 30th as per S/FAI rules relating to calendar football.