Keeper Kane the hero as Coláiste Éanna claim cup glory
Coláiste Éanna CBS, Rathfarnham hoisted the prestigious FAI Schools Dr Tony O’Neill Senior Cup for the first time yesterday following a penalty shoot-out victory at the Athlone IT.
St Joseph’s of Galway appeared set to end a six-year wait for the title in the penalty shoot-out as they led 3-1 with two spot-kicks left. Instead, they squandered both attempts, while the Dublin converted both of theirs to trigger sudden-death. Another missed penalty for ‘The Bish’ allowed sub Craig Canty to sink the decisive spot-kick.
The decision to introduce a new lkeeper for the shoot-out – Tim Krul style – worked a treat for Coláiste Éanna as Josh Kane kept out two efforts.
Ross Murphy had opened the scoring on 14 minutes for St Joseph’s from a 20-yard free-kick. Aaron Kavanagh before Josh Marvesley regained the Galway school’s lead with a tap-in after Conor Kiernan spilled Conor Melody’s low drive. Warren Egan ensured the Dublin side levelled again on 22 minutes volleying home from close-range. It got better for Coláiste Éanna 10 minutes before the break as Kavanagh claiming his second with an angled finish to make it 3-2. Intense pressure from the westerners yielded a deserved equaliser from Marvesley.
Rathfarnham’s Eric Healy was sent off two minutes before penalties were required before their dramatic win.
COLÁISTE ÉANNA: C Kiernan (J Kane 109); D Langan (C Canty 109), D Miley, L Lovic, A White; H Keller, E Stokes; R Kinsella (C Crowley 87), A Kavanagh, E Healy; W Egan (D Djedda 102).
ST JOSEPH’S COLLEGE: J Grealis; T McClean, B Keane, B Lally, D McGee (J Kennedy 42); B Brennan (G Kinneen 102), D Carter, J Coyne, R Murphy; C Melody; J Marvesley.
Referee: R Stokes (Longford)
