Spot secured in first Leinster final
ST. MARY’S C.B.S. 2 SALESIAN (CELBRIDGE) 2
AET, Mary’s won 8-7 on pens. ST. MARY’S C.B.S. (Enniscorthy) reached the Leinster Under-17 Cup final for the first time when they knocked out last year’s beaten finalists, Salesian College (Celbridge), in a highly entertaining and exciting game in Arklow.
This was all the more laudable as the same group of players had only a day to recover from an absorbing regional final on Monday against Wexford C.B.S. Enniscorthy had to line out without the services of influential midfielder Paudie Casey, with Noel Rowsome moving to midfield and Josh Waldron coming in at full-back.
Celbridge started the game in impressive style, moving the ball quickly and trying to unlock the Enniscorthy defence, but to no avail.
Then after 15 minutes, with no imminent danger, Celbridge’s number 7, Adam Kenny, let fly with a screamer from fully 30 yards which nestled in the top corner, giving ‘keeper Seán Maher no chance.
This stirred the C.B.S. boys into action, and a long-range effort from Noel Rowsome was saved at the second attempt by the Celbridge ‘keeper, Cathal Markey. The game now ebbed and flowed and there was a controversial decision with ten minutes of the first-half remaining. A great run from deep by Kieran Murphy resulted in him being fouled and the referee pointing to the spot.
After consulting with the assistant referee, he changed his mind and gave a direct free-kick instead which was blocked by the wall.
Just on the stroke of half-time, Eanna Doyle was unlucky not to have scored with a header from an indirect free-kick. C.B.S. started the second-half brightly, keeping the ball much better and creating openings, but they were dealt a cruel blow when they lost versatile midfielder, Noel Rowsome, with a nasty ankle injury.
C.B.S. drew level after ten minutes when Kieran Murphy made an excellent run down the left channel. Receiving the ball, he held off the centre-back and wriggled his way past two players before crossing to Brody Murphy, who volleyed expertly into the top corner.
The goal really unsettled Celbridge, and C.B.S. started to pile on the pressure. They were duly rewarded with another really wellworked goal.
Craig Peare worked the ball out of defence and he found Lee Jordan in midfield who in turn split the defence with a well-timed pass to Kieran Murphy.
Murphy still had a lot to do but steadied himself before hitting an unstoppable shot across the ‘keeper and into the net off the post. With ten minutes remaining, Celbridge equalised from a corner with a powerful header from centre-back Darragh Archibold.
Extra-time failed to produce a winner, with a very tired C.B.S. eleven holding out and facing penalties. Enniscorthy came out on top in the shoot-out on a scoreline of 8-7, with Eanna Doyle hitting the winner and Seán Maher making two top-class saves.
This was an excellent team performance, with every player playing his part. Special mention to midfielder, Michael Delaney, who put in a man of the match performance.
His energy and non-stop running played no small part in this great victory, constantly breaking up and thwarting many dangerous Celbridge attacks.
St. Mary’s C.B.S.: Seán Maher, Josh Waldron, Craig Peare, Danny Bruce (capt.), Eanna Doyle, Cian Hanley, Michael Delaney, Noel Rowsome, Kieran Murphy, Lee Jordan, Brody Murphy. Reserves: Darragh Breen, Ashley Karuba (both used), Cathal Roche, Bartek Walkowiak, Michael McGrath. Teachers in charge: Shane Murphy, Lisa Burke.
Salesian College (Celbridge): Cathal Markey, Jake Greene, Shane Martell, Darragh Archibold, Cian Walsh, Aaron Connolly, Adam Kenny, Aaron Hennessy, James McMahon (capt.), Niall O’Regan, Seán Hayden. Reserves: Seán Hancock, Dean O’Donoghue, Yegor Varonik, Luke Moran, Ross Maycock. Teacher in charge: Colin Cryan.