St. Francis College Rochestown reclaim Dr Tony O'Neill Cup after epic final with De La Salle
07/03/2024. FAI Schools Dr. Tony O'Neill Senior Munster Cup Final (Under 19, Large Schools) De La Salle College, Waterford vs St. Francis College, Rochestown at Ozier Park, Waterford City. Pictured are St. Francis College, Rochestown with the cup. Photograph: Patrick Browne
St. Francis College, Rochestown won the FAI Schools Dr Tony O’Neill Cup final on Thursday after a titanic battle against De La Salle College, Waterford — a classic final settled in extra time.
Goals from Daragh Mulchinock, Oisin Dorgan, Evan Cummins and Calum Landa ensured that Rochestown reclaimed a cup they last held in 2017, when they completed a Munster and All-Ireland double.
On a mild March afternoon at Ozier Park, Waterford, St. Francis College took control of a frantic final in the first half. First defender Daragh Mulchinok converted from the edge of the box and forward Oisin Dorgan made it 2-0 with a clinical low finish.
Rochestown continued to attack the De La Salle goal but the Waterford school defended well though they were restricted to half chances themselves, as Roco led 2-0 at the break.
De La Salle College came out with renewed vigour as they desperately tried to gain a foothold in the game. They got their reward midway through the half when sub Evan O'Mahony volleyed home.
Soon afterwards, the home crowd erupted as De La Salle College levelled through Shane O’Sullivan, who cooly slotted in after fine wing play from winger Dylan Quinlan Meagher.
De la Salle dominated the next 20 minutes and it was Rochestown's turn to defend well. Gradually the Cork school steadied their nerves and retook the lead 15 minutes from full time with a 35-yard rocket from the brilliant Evan Cummins.
It wasn't over. While many sides would have crumbled after going behind again, De La Salle’s dogged persistence paid off in injury time when Quinlan-Meagher buried a penalty — 3-3 and extra-time.
In the first period both sides were restricted to half chances, with Rochestown perhaps being more dominant.
In the fifth minute of the second period, Roco broke De La Salle’s hearts when Calum Landa powered home a header from Jamie O’Brien's brilliant cross, much to the delight of the away support.
The closing minutes saw Rochestown defending for their lives as De la Salle pushed for yet another equaliser. The Cork school held firm, sparking jubilant celebrations from players, coaches and supporters.
Winning managers Steve Bermingham and Derick Murray praised the football on display from both schools and said that they were “relieved, delighted and extremely proud". De La Salle manager Ronan Morrissey congratulated Rochestown on their win and stated that he was proud of his school’s "hard-working and talented players”.
Rochestown now progress to the All-Ireland semi-final against Dublin School Belvedere College, which will be played next week.
Jason Healy, Adam Queally, Avu Sampo, Ben Collins, Ben Hennessy, Ben Walshe, Callum McNulty, Charlie Power, Cole Campbell, Conor Tobin, Cormac Ryan, Daniel Elliott, Dylan Quinlan Meagher, Eoin McDonagh, Evan O’Mahony, Evan O’Neill Tierney, George Lyons, Hayden Power, Jack Hennessy, Jake Coffey, Keelyn Waring, Memucan Siyamwi, Mikey Carroll, Noah O’Brien, Romeo Akachukwu, Sam Ahearne, Sean Keane, Shane O’Sullivan.
Joe Lyons, Josh Barry, Rob Walker, Nik Lyons, Daniel McCarthy, Jamie O’ Brien, Matthew Kiernan, Daragh Mulchinok, Eoghan Murphy, Noah Sowinski, Evan Cummins, Darragh McCormack, Cal Nolan, Eoin Kelly, Chris O’ Keefe, Finn Hagermark, Jack O’ Brien, Adam O’ Callaghan,Oisin Dorgan, Calum Landa, Matthew Murray, Jimmy Harte.
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