South Belfast claim Kennedy Cup with win over North East
Daniel Anderson celebrates his winning free-kick with South Belfast teammates during the Kennedy Cup final Screenshot via SFAI
South Belfast claimed their second ever Kennedy Cup title thanks to goals from Beto Unhabo and Daniel Anderson in a 2-1 win over North Eastern Regional League at the University of Limerick.
The U14 football competition saw 31 participating inter-league teams contest 91 matches over the five-day competition, played on a combination of grass and artificial surfaces. In its usual home of the Limerick campus, there was no shortage of drama during those contests, as the best talent from each league showed their quality.
The final was played in humid Friday afternoon conditions, the winning goal arrived from Anderson’s pinpoint free kick on the three-quarter mark. Before that, the sides had traded opening half goals. Unhabo was sharpest to a spilled shot before ramming home after just six minutes.
Sharpshooter Rocco Devlin almost added to his five tournament goals, but saw his close-range effort cannon back off the crossbar. This appeared to wake those in blue, with NECSL equalising with their first notable attack.
A through-ball found Teniola Odusanya Smith whose excellent touch set him up for a low, controlled finish. But they failed to really create many more openings with Odusanya Smith often cutting a lone figure in attack.
The winner arrived midway during a tense second half. Anderson curled his free-kick left-footed into the bottom corner from around 22 yards. His teammates followed this up with some resolute defending. Captain James Crown leading well while Sean Haughey looked assured under the many long deliveries late on.
NECSL’s Conor Hassett was shown a red card at the final whistle, for a frustrated looking challenge on a Belfast player.
South Belfast were appearing in their second final. Their first, defeating Cork in 2021, wasn’t played in the usual format, due to covid-19. This was their first win in the tournament in its traditional format.
Wins over Cavan/Monagan (2-1) and Midlands (3-0) as well as a draw with Limerick Desmond saw them win the group on goal difference from the Limerick side. They dug deep to overturn a 2-0 deficit against Waterford in the last eight, while they had too much when easing over Wexford on Thursday, 3-0, in the semi-final.
North Eastern Regional League qualified for their first Cup final thanks wins in Group 6 over Carlow and Distrtict League, 4-0, Donegal, 5-0 and Inishowen, 5-0. They edged beyond Cork on penalties after a stalemate and their defensive masterclass continued on Thursday, with a 1-0 win over Galway. Captain Dara Loughran’s early goal enough.
Belfast’s girls side were defeated in last week’s girls Gaynor Cup final, 1-0, by Sligo Leitrim.
While the Cup was the main silverware, there was also joy for Cork who won the all-Cork Plate final against West Cork. A goal in either half helped them edge a tight contest. Zinedine Louadah volleyed home superbly after just four minutes before Cillian McAuliffe sealed the silverware late on. This means that the Cork Schoolboys League finished 5th, after both had impressed when winning their respective group but lost out in the Cup quarter-finals.
The Bowl crown when to Limerick Desmond, who were defensively strong in a 2-0 success against South Tipperary. Having been undefeated all week, the west Limerick side saw two Leon O’Connor crosses converted by Jamie McAuliffe and Michael O’Kelly in the first half.
Dublin District Schoolboys League finished without silverware in 8th place after their penalty shootout loss over Waterford following a scoreless draw.
The League made headlines last month with the FAI intervening to allow Ireland’s largest schoolboy’s league participate, with unpaid affiliation fees with the SFAI among the issues between both bodies. The draw took place later than normal as a result.
Kerry got the better of North Dublin Schoolboys/girls League with a 2-1 win. In a feisty encounter, the winners had early goals from Lachlan Scannell and captain Daragh Keane. Oisin Hegarty pounced to halve the deficit and set up a nervy finish. Despite hitting the post NDSL couldn’t draw level. That meant Kerry secured 17th place.
Dundalk also won their final. A Cian Cunningham effort in the opening quarter meant they head home with the Kennedy Trophy. This was the battle for 25th spot – and those who’d placed third after the group phase.
The competition has in more recent years seen Adam Idah, Evan Ferguson and Sam Curtis among the standout names. While John O’Shea, Katie Taylor and Roy Keane are among the many athletes who’ve cut their teeth at this competition - one of Europe’s biggest underage festivals of football.
