Rochestown College 2/1 St: Joseph’s College, Galway (AET) (1/1 F/T)
Gavin Fitzgerald (13), Daniel Kingston (60+4) Shane Hulgraine (7)
The Corkian’s showed great spirit as they battled back from a goal behind with man of the match Daniel Kingston becoming the hero for Rochestown: The setting was Pike Rovers in Limerick last Tuesday (11 May)
The first opportunity fell to the feet of Daniel Kingston who dragged his effort to the right of the woodwork with just two minutes registered: This was followed at the other end of the field three minutes later when Galway Captain Mark Rohan spoiled a glit edged chance to put the Bish ahead:
However, it was Galway’s Shane Hulgraine who put the Westerners ahead on seven minutes after a throw in down the right found the youngster in space: He glided his shot past the the keeper’s near post and it squeezed by Andrew Cullinane for the first of the afternoon
Galway were finding their rhythm as four minutes later they had the ball in the back of the Cork net again only to be disallowed by match official John McNamara: The indirect free kick taken by Cian Morley was deemed not to have touched keeper Andrew Cullinane as it crossed the line:
Cork seemed to have woken up to the challenge and responded almost immediately: Eoghan Daly was fouled on route to goal and resulting free kick was quickly taken by the youngster: His stinging effort was palmed down by Cathal Reilly between the posts but the ball fell conveniently for Gavin Fitzgerald to tap in the rebounding shot to equalize after thirteen minutes of play:
The game was exhilarating with some wonderful cross field passing at midfield:
Daniel Kingston linked well with David King down the left wing, in which King delivered an inviting ball forward to Kevin Flahive: Reilly was well aware of the danger and intercepted bravely to stamp out the threat:
Conor McDonnell played in Shane Hulgraine in front of goal but his strike was well saved by the in form Cullinane:
Conor Treacy replaced Peter Cooke for Galway with half time fast approaching:
The interval saw the introduction of Galway’s second substitute as Brian Alone replaced Cian Morley:
Rochestown came agonizing close to securing a tremendous goal when Cork’s star player, Kingston was on hand again to force Cathal Reilly into a wonderful save courtesy of his left boot:
Galway were executing some sharp passing with the Bish displaying a gallant effort to win the game in normal time: Conor McDonnell shot from distance on 47 minutes but the goalkeeper was alert to devert the ball over the bar:
Galway’s Ronan Keville, Brian Alone, Brion Lee and Shane Hulgraine linked well for the move of the match which saw goal scorer Gavin Fitzgerald intercept late on to deflect the goal bound effort wide: Fitzgerald was very fortunate not to see the ball crash to the net as it rose just above the upright much to the Cork defender’s relief:
This was the last action of a dramatic final fifteen as extra time was the order of the day:
Rochestown got the perfect start to additional time as four minutes in Kingston deceived the off side trap to sneak in for a well taken goal:
Cork were encouraged by this period of excellent play which saw Kavin Flahive and Cian Devine hit the post on two consecutive occasions:
Kingston was the target man yet again after a well placed set piece from Luke Carroll: Reilly again pulled off an excellent save to deny Kingston:
Conor McDonnell was having a brilliant spell in defence in the second half of extra time as the Bish pushed three up front for the last period of the game however Cork just did enough to defend any threat forward to win a place in the National First Year Final:
Rochestown will have to await the outcome of the other semi final which will see St: Eunan’s College against Dunshaughlin Community College: The match is scheduled for 12 noon in Monaghan on Friday (14 May)
Rochestown College: Andrew Cullinane, Niall Fitzgerald, Adrian Daly, Gavin Fitzgerald, Luke Carroll, George Gill, David King, Cian Devine, Daniel Kingston, Eoghan Daly, Kevin Flahive
Subs: Cian Power, Eoin O’Sullivan, Luke Hyland, Donal O’Regan, Christopher Brennan
Teachers: Patrick Croke & Derick Murray
St: Joseph’s College (the Bish): Cathal Reilly, Peter Cooke, Ronan Keville, Caleb Fox Carr, Cathal Nolan, Cian Morley, Mark Rohan (Capt), Conor McDonnell, Brion Lee, Shane Hulgraine, Peter O’Connor
Subs: Conor Treacy for Cooke (20), Brian Alone for Morley (h/t), Conor McGrath, Simon Lee, Shane Connelly
Teacher: Michéal O’Donnell & Robert Grealish
Referee: John McNamara (Limerick)