Midleton CBS come from behind to claim Munster title

CBS High School Clonmel took a 1-0 lead into half-time but Midleton CBS owned the second half, scoring three goals

Midleton CBS beat CBS High School Clonmel 3-1 on Monday to claim the u19 FAI Schools Munster Senior Challenge Cup. Pic: Chris Melnyk

Munster FAI Schools U19 Senior Challenge Cup final: Midleton CBC 3 CBS High School Clonmel 1

A brace from Eduard Pidoyma and a fine strike from Ben Fitzgerald gave Midleton CBS victory over CBS High School Clonmel in the U19 Munster FAI Schools U19 Senior Challenge Cup final.

In glorious sun drenched conditions at St. Colman’s Park, the final got off to a pulsating start with both sides attacking from the onset. Midleton had the better of the early chances with winger Ciaran Murphy firing over the bar and the lively Gabriel Ebo going close with two attempts.

Clonmel then went close when their winger collected a through ball on the edge of the box and unleashed a terrific shot that appeared to be heading for the bottom corner but Midleton keeper Ewan Murphy made a tremendous stop. As the clock ticked towards half-time, the game looked destined to be a stalemate at the break.

However, with minutes left on the clock, Clonmel opened the scoring. Jack Aylward drove the ball across the box to Sultan Gazal who finished coolly from close range at the back post. 

Midleton came out after the break with renewed determination and equalised minutes into the second half. Half-time substitute Fitzgerald deftly flicked a through ball from midfielder Charlie McCarthy into the path of the onrushing Pidoyma who finished superbly low into the bottom corner. 

With 15 minutes remaining on the clock, Midleton then took the lead. The excellent Fitzgerald played the ball across the box to Pidoyma who struck the ball low into the bottom left corner of the net. 

Moments later, they got their third goal. Pidoyma played the ball across the edge of the box to Fitzgerald who hit a thunderous effort into the roof of the net. 

To their credit, Clonmel did not give up and they pushed forward in search of a way back into the game. Ewan Rumble and Gus Nolan went close for but their efforts were well saved by Murphy. The Midleton rearguard of Rory Lynch, Shane O’Manony, Senan O’Toole and Ryan Murphy stood strong in the final minutes as Clonmel were restricted to half chances as the Cork side claimed victory.

Midleton co-managers Adrian Desmond and James Walsh said they were “delighted for the players, especially the sixth year students who finished their time in the school with a trophy”. 

They added that they were “proud the players efforts today, especially in the second half when they took control of the game, scoring three goals” 

The U19 FAI Schools Munster Senior Challenge Cup is Midleton CBS’s second Munster soccer title this year, having already secured the U15 FAI Schools Munster Minor Cup.

Midleton CBS squad: Ewan Murphy, Rory Lynch, Senan O’Toole, Shane O’ Mahony, Ryan Murphy, Charlie McCarthy, Eduard Pidoyma, Cillian Scanlon, Gabriel Ebo, Alex McSweeney, Ciaran Murphy, Tomas Reilly, Mikey Pedley, Andrew Brenner, Jamie Walsh, Ben Fitzgerald, Jack Mulcahy and Sam McAllister.

Management team: Adrian Desmond and James Walsh 

CBS High School Clonmel squad:

Peter Carroll, Oisin O’ Malley, Rory Nugent, Jack Boland, Ewan Rumble, Filip Dabrowski, Gus Nolan, Sultan Gazal, Sean Hughes, Kyle Ryan, Niko Ciesnik, Brandon Landers, Lukey Condon, DJ McGrath and Jake Walsh.

Management team: Brian Fogarty and Greg Carroll