St Joseph’s bid to reach two national cup finals

Two teams from local club St Joseph’s FC are preparing for SFAI Cup semi-finals this weekend.

The club’s under-15 team take on Malahide United in their SFAI Cup semi-final on Saturday in the latter’s home ground of Gannon Park (kick-off 1pm). And on Sunday, the under-14 team face Belvedere in the Kilbarrack astro turf pitch (also 1pm).

Interestingly, both the U14 and the U15 teams have an identical record of scoring and conceding the exact same number of goals en route to their semi-finals (see details below).

Many members of both squads have been with the club since the age of six, but they have both brought in other players to bolster the squad’s options and to add strength in depth. And now both teams are hoping to reach SFAI Cup finals.

The St Joseph’s FC U15 team is managed by Davy Cummins and Padraig Moran. They play their football in the MSL U15 Major Division.

Along with reaching the last four of the SFAI Cup this season, the squad has won the MSL Regional Division and last weekend the squad won the MSL Major Division. They are currently in the final of the SFAI Regional Cup where they will face Edenderry Town, along with reaching the last four of the Lowry Cup.

The St Joseph’s FC U14 team is managed by Peter Lenehan and Tony O’Sullivan. They play their football in the MSL U14 Major Division.

Last season the squad reached the last 16 of the SFAI Cup and have surpassed that achievement last season by reaching the last four. The squad has also enjoyed major success regionally last season. They were successful in winning the treble (Major Division winners, MSL Cup and SFAI South Leinster Regional). This season the squad finished second in the MSL Major Division and await the start of their cup campaign.

A lot of hard work, time and dedication has been put in by both squads' players and management dating back to July of last year at the start of pre-season. All involved extend a big thank you to all the parents who have been a huge support to the team this season, bringing players to and from training and matches along with being on the side lines every Saturday.

All involved with the U14 team are thankful to sponsors Wriggle and Roscommon Tyre Centre. The U15 team are thankful to team sponsor deDANÚ.

St Joseph’s U14 squad: Zac Mullally, Oisin Hickey, Jacob Zalewski, Gary Staunton, Gavin Costello, Jamie Brien, David Rowan, Stephen McWade, Dylan Goode, Danny Goode, Murilo Henrique, Robert Rowan, Rhuon Sousa, James Geoghegan, Bobby Lenehan (captain).

Route to the U14 semi-finals

Round 1 – St Joseph’s 5-0 Suncroft AFC.

Round 2 – St Joseph’s 3-0 St Anthonys Kilcoole.

Round 3 – St Joseph’s 2-1 Portlaoise AFC.

Round 4 – Allenwood Celtic 0-4 St Joseph’s.

Round 5 (last 32) – St Joseph’s 2-0 Carrick Rovers.

Round 6 (last 16) – Salthill Devon 0-3 St Joseph’s.

Round 7 (quarter-final) – Gorey Rangers 1-2 St Joseph’s.

Goals scored: 21; goals conceded: 2.

St Joseph’s U-15 squad: Niall Ward, Cian Gilhooly, Ciarán Cummins, Colin Moran, Darragh Riordan, Diarmuid O’Higgins, Dylan Dennehy, Eoin Dunning, Felipe Mateus Alencar Souza, Jake Flynn, James Pettit, John Timlin, Leon Nolan, Patryk Misiewicz, Timothy Tselapedi, William Geraghty, Shay McGuinness (captain).

Route to the U-15 semi-finals

Round 1 – Portlaoise AFC 0-4 St Joseph’s.

Round 2 – St Joseph’s 6-1 Athy Town.

Round 3 – Tullamore Town 1-2 St Joseph’s.

Round 4 – Arlington AFC 0-4 St Joseph’s.

Round 5 (last 32) – Colga FC 0-1 St Joseph’s.

Round 6 (last 16) – Mervue United 0-3 St Joseph’s.

Round 7 (quarter-final) – St Joseph’s 1-0 Evergreen FC.

Goals scored: 21; goals conceded: 2.