Ulster Junior B Soccer Winners
Ulster Junior B Soccer Final
St.Aidan’s Cootehill 5
Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair 2
Lakeside Centre, Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal
Friday January 31ST
As the team left the school on Friday morning there was a sense of hope and expectation in the air. As the clouds amassed on the journey up and the rain began to fall it looked as if conditions would prove challenging on the day. However, as the Cootehill, bus expertly driven by Brian approached Ballyshannon, the clouds parted and the sun emerged to bring renewed optimism that the day ahead would be one long to be remembered in the St. Aidan’s soccer journey.
As the match began both teams were cautious and the first 15 minutes passed by without any real clear cut chances. However, two near misses from Senan Mullen and James O, Brien saw The Cavan boys slowly take control. Eventually after some good link up play the next chance was taken by Senan Mullen. The St. Aidan’s boys continued to stretch their opposition with Liam Smith proving very effective on the right hand side. Eventually the pressure told as a snap shot from outside the box from Conor Shanley took a slight deflection and rocketed into the back of the Donegal net to make it 2-0. At half-time the score remained the same and it was now down to the St. Aidan’s team to push on to secure the win. However, shortly after the restart the defence was breached and even though Jamie Shanley in goal made a valiant attempt to save the score was now 2-1.
Undaunted by this setback the defence would remain strong for the remainder of the game. Again St. Aidan’s began to assert themselves and an exquisite move down the right side ended with a superb finish by Daniel Ward to make it 3-1. The onus was on the boys to push on and drive home this advantage and with Christian Hennessey in control in midfield a number of excellent balls were produced. With James O’ Brien causing havoc as always, eventually a ball landed at the feet of the gifted Senan Mullen who swivelled and powered a wonderful strike into the top right corner.
With a victory in sight there was the possibility of a lessening in intensity, but not with these players as they marauded forward eventually producing a slick move down the right hand side which was dispatched to the net by the industrious Daniel Ward.
The defence provided the basis for all of these onslaughts with Conor Bannon, Mark Farrell, Dean Carroll and Oisin Lynch all putting in impressive displays. Ably commanded by their talented captain Conor Shanley who led by example they held the 5-1 lead until the final seconds when a somewhat dubious penalty saw Ghaoth Dobhair pull one back to make the final score 5-2. The substitutions including Kian Cooper, Callum O’Reilly, Cian Maguire, Ben McGahan, Darragh Lynch and Caolan Fitzsimons all contributed well. However, all of the squad played an important role in this victory. At the final whistle both sides shook hands recognising the efforts that they had made. The joy was clear to see on the faces of the Cavan boys as they lifted their trophy the first Ulster Soccer title in the schools history. I would like to thank Ghaoth Dobhair for their challenge on the day and those parents who made the long journey up. Most importantly a great debt of thanks is owed to all the squad for their efforts over the season so far. Well done boys the journey
St.Aidan’s Cootehill 5
Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair 2
Lakeside Centre, Ballyshannon, Co. Donegal
Friday January 31ST
As the team left the school on Friday morning there was a sense of hope and expectation in the air. As the clouds amassed on the journey up and the rain began to fall it looked as if conditions would prove challenging on the day. However, as the Cootehill, bus expertly driven by Brian approached Ballyshannon, the clouds parted and the sun emerged to bring renewed optimism that the day ahead would be one long to be remembered in the St. Aidan’s soccer journey.
As the match began both teams were cautious and the first 15 minutes passed by without any real clear cut chances. However, two near misses from Senan Mullen and James O, Brien saw The Cavan boys slowly take control. Eventually after some good link up play the next chance was taken by Senan Mullen. The St. Aidan’s boys continued to stretch their opposition with Liam Smith proving very effective on the right hand side. Eventually the pressure told as a snap shot from outside the box from Conor Shanley took a slight deflection and rocketed into the back of the Donegal net to make it 2-0. At half-time the score remained the same and it was now down to the St. Aidan’s team to push on to secure the win. However, shortly after the restart the defence was breached and even though Jamie Shanley in goal made a valiant attempt to save the score was now 2-1.
Undaunted by this setback the defence would remain strong for the remainder of the game. Again St. Aidan’s began to assert themselves and an exquisite move down the right side ended with a superb finish by Daniel Ward to make it 3-1. The onus was on the boys to push on and drive home this advantage and with Christian Hennessey in control in midfield a number of excellent balls were produced. With James O’ Brien causing havoc as always, eventually a ball landed at the feet of the gifted Senan Mullen who swivelled and powered a wonderful strike into the top right corner.
With a victory in sight there was the possibility of a lessening in intensity, but not with these players as they marauded forward eventually producing a slick move down the right hand side which was dispatched to the net by the industrious Daniel Ward.
The defence provided the basis for all of these onslaughts with Conor Bannon, Mark Farrell, Dean Carroll and Oisin Lynch all putting in impressive displays. Ably commanded by their talented captain Conor Shanley who led by example they held the 5-1 lead until the final seconds when a somewhat dubious penalty saw Ghaoth Dobhair pull one back to make the final score 5-2. The substitutions including Kian Cooper, Callum O’Reilly, Cian Maguire, Ben McGahan, Darragh Lynch and Caolan Fitzsimons all contributed well. However, all of the squad played an important role in this victory. At the final whistle both sides shook hands recognising the efforts that they had made. The joy was clear to see on the faces of the Cavan boys as they lifted their trophy the first Ulster Soccer title in the schools history. I would like to thank Ghaoth Dobhair for their challenge on the day and those parents who made the long journey up. Most importantly a great debt of thanks is owed to all the squad for their efforts over the season so far. Well done boys the journey
