FAI Schools Minor ‘B’ Boys National Cup Final (Under 15, Small Schools)
Wednesday, May 14, 2025
Balla Secondary School 1-0 Coláiste Eoin, Finglas
Daniel Lyons (70+1)
BALLA SECONDARY SCHOOL defeated a hardworking Coláiste Eoin, Finglas in a dramatic showdown in Athlone Town AFC on Wednesday, April 30 to retain their National title.
A solitary goal headed home in added time from the industrious Daniel LYONS ensured an unforgettable day for the Mayo outfit.
The Dublin contingency were looking the more dominant force in the opening exchanges with Leon Groome impressing early on.
However Balla slowly got into their groove with Captain Matthew Vahey and duo Sean Nolan and Eoin Walsh looking lively.
Noah Murphy was forced into an excellent save to deny Dubliner Leon Groome with a little over twenty minutes played.
Again Murphy was the busier of the two keepers as he was called into action before the interval when he pulled off another exceptional block to stop Veniamin Gladante’s fine effort.
It remained goalless at the break.
Mason Power, Daniel Johnston and Captain Scott Kelsh were proving influential in the game for the Finglas side as they tried to penetrate the Balla defence but netminder Noah Murphy ably assisted by his back four were on par to keep them at bay.
Loughlyn Kelly came close to giving Coláiste Eoin the lead with 51 minutes on the clock but his header glanced just over the crossbar.
Finglas star Ciaran Collins had a wonderful opportunity to break the deadlock on the hour mark but Murphy palmed away to safety.
Five minutes later, Ross Malone headed home for Balla but the goal was disallowed for off-side. Balla looked to be on the front foot as the game looked to be headed into extra-time.
The match winner eventually came in added time when James Heaney delivered a delighted ball into the box for Daniel LYONS to head home from six yards out as the stadium erupted.
There was another three minutes of added time to be played as tensions mounted. Finglas worked tirelessly to get the equaliser late on but Murphy was superb in the Balla goal.
Unfortunately there were unsavoury scenes as the game ended abruptly and a number of red cards were brandished. The tension boiled over into the crowd as the match official blew the final whistle.
A wonderful display from both teams despite the melee as the game reached a conclusion. Another National title for the Darren O'Malley and Jonathan Ó Ceallaigh combo as Captain Matthew Vahey was presented with the Cup from FAI Schools Chairman Robert Moran following the game.
BALLA SECONDARY SCHOOL | Noah Murphy, Blake Mannion, James Heaney, Ethan Duffy, Ross Malone, Ryan Nolan, Seán Nolan, Matthew Vahey ©, Tony Cunningham, Daniel Lyons, Eoin Walsh
SUBS ROLL ON / OFF | David Keane, James Staunton, Shay McGrath, Connell Clarke, Sam Boyle, Donal Keane, Kian Surdival
EXTENDED SQUAD | Jack Henegan, Louis Campbell, Liam Cunningham, Conor Fahey, Daithí Fahey, Teegan Henegan, Eoin Redmond, Kian Burke, Seamus Byrne, Leo Corcoran
TEACHERS | Darren O’Malley, Jonathan O’Ceallaigh
COLÁISTE EOIN, FINGLAS | Kai O’Regan, Sam Sheridan, Evan Leavey, Scott Kelsh ©, Mason Power, Daniel Johnston, Loughlyn Kelly, Callum Kelly, Veniamin Gladante, Ciara Collins, Leon Groome
SUBS ROLL ON / OFF | Daniel Farrell, Igor Valentie, Lee Carter, Michael Keenan, Johnny Keenan, Hayden Travers, Kayden Melie
EXTENDED SQUAD | Scott Boyd
TEACHERS | Jamie Hill, Jake Redmond, Jake Cullen, Joey Fitzgibbon
MATCH OFFICIAL | Jay Merrigan (Westmeath)
