St. Joseph’s Secondary School make Soccer History in U15 North East Leinster

St. Joseph’s Secondary School visited the MDL in Navan looking for their first piece of soccer silverware in the school’s history.

In a game full of twists and turns Dunshaughlin quickly started pulling together some brilliant passing moves and deservedly took the lead within the first 10 minutes. Dunshaughlin played a long ball over the top and their striker was on hand to take advantage of a nervous Joey’s defence. Dunshaughlin continued to push forward but failed to capitalise on their early pressure. For the remainder of the first half the two sides traded shots, with neither side threatening their respective keepers.

Yet five minutes after the interval Dunshaughlin carved through the Joey’s defence to put their school two goals ahead; threatening Joey’s dreams of a first soccer cup for the school.

For the remainder of the game, the Joey’s got into their rhythm with some great passing moves, with Kyle McElroy, Eseosa Omoregbe and the impressive Owen Murphy linking up well. When a Michael Leddy shot whizzed over the bar with 25 minutes remaining, it looked like it was not going to be the Joey’s day. With 20 minutes to go, the Joey’s hit the net with the talented Leddy who lit up the game in the second half. With the game at 2-1, the Joey’s were given the lifeline they needed when Leddy struck again with a superb chip over the onrushing keeper from 20 yards to bring the game back to 2-2.

Dunshaughlin broke down the field on a number of occasions but the Joey’s backline remained strong with help from the extremely hardworking Matthew O’Brien. With the game in the melting pot with 10 minutes to go, it looked like either team could take the win. Each team created chances but it was Patrick Mc Geary who stepped up to finish off a well worked move, making the game 3-2 with Joey’s fans who travelled to the match going into meltdown. Dunshaughlin pushed every man forward in the remaining minutes of the game but were caught out at the back when Leddy released Anthony O’Donnell, who calmly smashed the ball into the roof of the net.

Every Joey’s player played a brilliant match, but a special mention goes out to a number of players. Firstly team Captain Timothy Ivare who led by example throughout the game. Michael Leddy; the game-changer who scored two goals and got two assists. Owen Murphy and Anthony O’Donnell who linked up well throughout the game. But it was a man of the match performance from Matthew O’Brien who worked endlessly in midfield throughout the game breaking down countless Dunshaughlin attacks and suppling the front men with some beautiful passes.