Dublin boys lift cup, giving up no goals in six games

Unlike their semi-final victory over Cork, the DDSL got the job done early in yesterday’s SFAI U14 Kennedy Cup final against Sligo/Leitrim to seal a 2-0 victory.

Roland Banya sent the holders on the way to their 12th trophy in 14 years by forging the breakthrough after just two minutes and the westerners saw their hopes of an upset disappear midway through the half when they conceded an own-goal.

The victory meant the DDSL squad competed their six-game campaign without conceding a goal and earning plenty of invitations from the raft of Premier League scouts in attendance.

Given they are by far the biggest league in Ireland, DDSL triumphs at the country’s best underage tournament are considered predictable, but there was a sense of both structure and quality to Garrett Doddrill’s team.

“Credit goes to the players who have turned up every Sunday for the last three seasons preparing for the Kennedy Cup,” said the winning manager.

“The DDSL are expected to win it, but the next step for these players is getting their moves to England and furthering their careers.”

Cork finished third after beating Galway 3-1 in a play-off thanks to goals from Ryan O’Connor, Barry McCarthy, and Keelan Crowley.

In the subsidiary finals, also played at Limerick University, Limerick Desmond edged out North Dublin 6-5 in a penalty shoot-out to lift the Plate trophy, following a 1-1 draw.

Midlands claimed the Bowl by defeating Dundalk, and Kerry conquered West Cork by a 2-0 margin to clinch the Shield. In the Trophy, Mayo got the better of Kilkenny 2-1.