LORETO COMMUNITY SCHOOL MILFORD held their nerve to clinch victory in the FAIS Ulster First Year Boys Cup final against St Columba’s College, Stranorlar.
Loreto Community School, Milford 0-0 St Columba’s College, Stranorlar
After extra-time. Loreto won 5-4 on penalties
One thing is for sure, none of the players would’ve remembered the 1953 FA Cup final, where Stanley Matthews guided Blackpool to a 4-3 win over Bolton Wanderers at Wembley. It became known as the ‘Matthews final’ after the famed England winger – the wizard of dribble.
Photo caption: The Loreto Community School, Milford, squad who secured victory in the FAIS Ulster First Year Boys Cup final today
Today, goalkeeper John Matthews was the hero of the hour with a penalty save in the shoot-out before scoring his side’s all-important fifth penalty to seal the provincial crown at Rathmullan’s Flagpole Park.
St Columba’s had the wind at the backs in the first half but despite dominating for long spells couldn’t find the opening goal.
Ethan Cullen and Shane Black in particular were impressive at the back for Loreto and Matthews in goal was competent with everything that came his way.
On six minutes, Evan McBride’s cross for St Columba’s caused some bother but Loreto cleared the danger.
In a half of half chances, a long throw-in from Cody Lafferty took a deflection or two and again the Milford side, this time through Damien Egan, got rid.
Having survived the first half relative unscathed, the Milford school had the elements in the second period. Kyle McFadden was off target twice in the opening minutes and Ciaran Moore drew a save from Dylan Doherty in the St Columba’s goal.
The St Columba’s Stranorlar squad before their FAIS Ulster First Year Boys Cup final in Rathmullan today
At the other end, Sean Doherty saw Matthews make a brilliant save on 44 minutes after another Lafferty throw-in.
Loreto enjoyed some good fortune with a big let-off on 50 minutes. Evan McBride’s cross-cum-shot deceived everyone – including goalkeeper Matthews – and struck the inside of the post. However, from the full-up Jamie Murray blasted over the crossbar from 12 yards.
Here’s what Loreto Milford manager Gary Doherty made of it with Charlie Collins …
https://soundcloud.com/donegalsporthub-club-notes/gary-doherty-on-loreto-milfords-first-year-ulster-title
Seven minutes from the end, Doherty in the St Columba’s goal saved at the second attempt from Rory Pyper.
In extra-time, five minutes in, St Columba’s fashioned a great opportunity when a fine through ball from Michael Harris set Doherty away from the defence. He headed over the advancing goalkeeper but Matthews recovered to race back and clear the ball off the line.
Lafferty then shot just wide for St Columba’s and Black, in the second period for Loreto, was also just off the mark.
In the penalty shoot-out everyone scored for Loreto – Matthew McLaughlin, Ciaran Moore, Tyler Durning, Kyle McFadden and Matthews.
Evan McBride, Cody Lafferty, Daniel Foy and Sean Doherty found the net for St Columba’s but Matthews’ save from Eoin McMenamin was vital.
Loreto Community School, Milford: John Matthews; Damien Egan, Eamon O’Donnell, Ethan Cullen, Shane Black; Tyler Durning, Rory Pyper, Matthew McLaughlin; Ciaran Moore, Dean McBride.
St Columba’s College, Stranorlar: Dylan Doherty; Sean Patton, Kyle Leaper, Conor McDaid, Eoin McMenamin; Cody Lafferty, Thomas McMenamin (Daniel Foy, half-time extra-time), Sean Doherty, Michael Harris; Jamie Murray (Daniel Gordan 68), Evan McBride.
Referee: Marty Quinn.
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