Kennedy Cup: Cork Schoolboys League defeat West Cork to reach semi finals

CORK DERBY: Cork Schoolboys League take on West Cork in the Kennedy Cup quarter final. Pic: Paul Madden.

On the eve of the biggest tournament in world football kicking off across the Atlantic, the Kennedy Cup quarter finals took place at the University of Limerick following two intense days of group stage action.

By this stage the tournament separates into four competitions; group winners contend the Cup quarter final, runners-up face off in the Bowl quarter final, third place teams compete in the Shield quarter final, and fourth-place teams play out the Trophy quarter final.

Cork Schoolboys League continued their good form as they were 2-0 victors in their all-county battle against neighbours West Cork in front of a huge crowd at Maguires Pitches.

Top scorer Cian McMahon (Mallow Town) bagged his sixth goal of the campaign in the first half with a neatly placed finish from a tight angle, and Lakewood Athletic’s Darragh Moloney doubled the lead just ten minutes later with a spectacular long-range effort after some excellent work from Kanturk’s Denis McCarthy, who has shone for Cork in this year’s competition.

West Cork fought hard to get back into the game, but Brendan McCarthy’s side dug deep and maintained their unbeaten run to take a place in the Cup semi final.

Darragh Morris was the hero for Galway in their quarter final win over Kilkenny, the Corofin goalkeeper saving two spot-kicks after the game went to penalties - Maree/Oranmore’s Jack Farrelly stepping up to score an all-important winner and send the 2023 champions into the semi-final.

Penalties were also required after South Belfast grabbed a last minute equaliser against Dublin District Schoolboys League. Cian Brady’s first-half strike gave the 33-time winners an early lead, but a late Patrick Turley corner found the head of Lucas O'Donnell to send the game to a shootout, the Dubliners advancing to the semi-final following two spot-kick saves by Home Farm keeper Donnchadh Billings.

They will be joined by North East Regional League (NERL) who narrowly defeated Kildare 2-1 thanks to a stunning late volley by Kells Celtic midfielder Dylan Clarke in what was one of the goals of the tournament so far.

There was disappointment for Kerry in the Bowl quarter final as they conceded two penalties on the way to a 3-0 defeat by Donegal, who joined Carlow in the semi final after they narrowly overcame Midlands thanks to a second-half goal by Hanover Harps’ Ollie Nolan.

Waterford Kennedy Cup manager Nigel Ray gives some last minute instructions ahead of the game with North Dublin.

There was also joy for Waterford as they scored three goals in six minutes to pick up a comprehensive win against North Dublin District League. Tramore’s Louis McDonald opened the scoring early for Waterford when he pounced on a loose ball after a frantic goalmouth scramble, before Conor McLoughlin (Villa) doubled the lead following some excellent work down the right wing by Southend’s Fareed Alabi. 

McLoughlin then added his second and Waterford’s third to confirm his side’s place in the semis.

Two saves from Caoimhe Keating (Forth Celtic) helped Wexford take the final Bowl semi final spot after they defeated Limerick District in yet another penalty shootout drama on Day Three - Darragh Hayes (Bridge Rovers) scoring the decisive spot-kick to send the Limerick side out.

There were better fortunes for Limerick Desmond as they overcame Longford to book a place in the Shield semi final, a brace from Newcastle West striker Cian Fitzpatrick enough to send last year’s champions into the last four.

They will be joined by neighbours Limerick County who overcame Roscommon by a 3-2 scoreline, Eoghan Mulcahy with the all-important goal five minutes before full-time. Charlie Ormston's late strike also gave Clare a 3-2 win over Sligo/Leitrim, while Dundalk complete the Shield semi final lineup after their 2-1 win over North Tipperary.

Earlier in the day the Trophy bracket needed two penalty shootouts to decide proceedings as Wicklow vs Cavan/Monaghan and Inishowen vs Mayo both finished in a 1-1 draw. Mayo captain Jack Veldon (Claremorris) scored the final penalty to send his side through to the semi final, while Wicklow were 4-2 victors in their penalty decider.

Both sides will be joined by WWEC who received a bye to the next round, and Tipperary South who overcame Lisburn Castlereagh to claim the final spot in the Trophy last four.