Marist denied on penalties as late 'Bish' goal forces extra-time
SOCCER: FAI Schools First Year Boys National Cup Final (Under-14, Large Schools)
St Joseph's 2 Marist College 2 (AET – St Joseph's won 4-1 on pens)
By Mike Rafferty
A James Geoghegan goal three minutes from time looked like it was going to give Marist College, Athlone just a third ever schools national title, but Dara McGauran's last minute equaliser for St Joseph's, Galway spoiled that ambition.
McGauran's goal ensured that this FAI Boys U14 National Cup final in Oranmore ended level after extra-time before it took the dreaded penalty shoot-out to decide the issue.
In what was an inspired substitute choice in the last minute of the game, Patrick O'Connell took over in the St Joseph's goal from regular custodian Aaron Hester and made two outstanding saves to give his side the balance of power in the penalty contest.
The Galway college slotted home their opening three efforts as Eoin Gacquin, Adam Hayat and James Morahan all fired past Thomas Egan with confidence. Dylan Dennehy Lyons scored the opener for Marist, but the efforts of Patrick Collins and Gary Staunton were brilliantly pushed away by O'Connell to put his side in the driving seat. The ultimate honour of scoring the winning penalty fell to Padraig Hynes Ward as he put them 4-1 ahead and set in motion massive celebrations.
With a breeze blowing from end to end, the respective sides enjoyed a half of supremacy each with 'The Bish', as the Galway school are known locally, enjoying the opening half advantage, but they struggled to create opportunities in the early exchanges. Indeed it was the Athlone side who created the best early chance when James Geoghegan crossed from the left, but Patrick Collins' close range effort came back off a post.
On 14 minutes, the Galway school broke the deadlock when a free kick wide on the right outside the box, saw Hayes Ward tee up Eoin Gacquin and his looping left-footed effort flew inside the far post to put them 1-0 ahead.
With captain Conor Casey and Sean Whittaker to the fore, Marist played their way back into contention as Diarmuid O'Higgins broke into the box, but there was no support to get on the end of his delivery. Another cross from Sam Byrne saw no takers either, before Whittaker dragged an effort wide just before the break.
The course of the game changed quickly on the resumption as Marist College were awarded a penalty just three minutes in when Joshua Ukatu was fouled in the box and, from the resulting spot kick, Dennehy Lyons sent Hester the wrong way to tie up matters at 1-1.
The momentum was now with Martin Grogan's side and, minutes later, a Dennehy Lyons free kick was tipped over by Hester, before a Seán Keegan corner flew across the face of goal as it cried out for a touch. O'Higgins then volleyed just over.
Marist struck for the lead on 57 minutes when a long delivery from the back by Dennehy Lyons was not cleared and James Geoghegan snuck in behind the cover to finish from an angle, putting his side 2-1 up.
Little was seen of St Joseph's in attack for the majority of the half, but the outstanding Eoin Gacquin, Padraig Hynes Ward and James Morahan kept them ticking over and they responded to the setback in prompt fashion.
The overlapping Gacquin was the provider from the left and it was substitute Dara McGauran, who applied the close range finish to tie up matters at 2-2, sending the game to extra-time.
The Galway side offered the greater attacking threat for the duration of the extra 20 minutes, but they struggled to get past an outstanding Thomas Egan who made some cracking saves to deny McGauran, Gacquin and Joe Pyne at close range.
Despite the efforts of Ukatu and Casey, the Marist couldn't seize the advantage in the closing minutes and St Joseph's were unable to find a winner either. So, after 80 minutes of action, it took spot kicks to sort the destiny of the title as the Galway school added to the minor crown won just a few weeks ago, while Marist College must wait to add to their last title won in 2008.
Player of the match: Diarmuid O'Higgins (Marist College, Athlone). A skilful striker with power and pace, he linked play well and was central to many of the opportunities created by his team.
St Joseph's Patrician College, Galway: Aaron Hester, Miguel Ruiz Tully, Eoin Gacquin, Shane Fahy (captain), Finn Plotner McCarthy, Dillon Gacquin, Aaron Hayat, James Morahan, Padraig Hynes Ward, Joe Colleran, Adam Hayat. Subs: Joey Pyne for Fahy (38 mins), Dara McGauran for Adam Hayat (46), Patrick O'Connell for Hester (79).
Marist College, Athlone: Thomas Egan, Seán Keegan, Sam Byrne, Dylan Dennehy Lyons, Gary Staunton, Sean Whittaker, James Geoghegan, Conor Casey (captain), Joshua Ukatu, Diarmuid O'Higgins, Patrick Collins. Subs: Louie Shine for Whittaker (inj., 31 mins), James Petit for Keegan (37), Jack O'Shea for Geoghegan (60).
Referee: Paudie Hayes (Clare).