St: Joseph’s Secondary School, Rochfortbridge 3/1 CBS High School, Clonmel
Mark Geoghegan (7), Ciaran Doyle (40) Finbar Coyne (70) Conor Gleeson (66)
A hat/trick of goals from St Joseph’s Secondary School, Rochfortbridge had CBS High School, Clonmel stunned in theUMBRO FAI Schools Minor Boys All Ireland Semi Final at Parkville United, Tullow this afternoon (April 5):
Clonmel enjoyed the early exchanges in the opening quarter with the talented Brendan Martin the main man to shine: Martin was a dead cert to open the scoring courtesy of some great play from Conor Gleeson:
However referee Jim Wynne deemed the youngster to be offside for a clear cut goal opportunity with only 2 minutes played: This would have been the perfect start for Dineen and Delahunty but it was frustration that followed for the Munster mentors for most of the game:
Damien Rushe’s Rochfortbridge took the lead against the run of play five minutes later as Mark’s Geoghegan’s inch perfect set piece from 20 yards out was on target for the Westmeath side to take the advantage: A spectator goal that built the Saints with more confidence as the game progressed
Brendan Martin and David Roberts linked well in front of goal but the versatile Joe Hyland was on hand to palm the ball past his near post: Roberts had a gifted opportunity soon after only for the ball to be drilled to the right of the post: Another well executed move that Clonmel should have done more with:
Frustration again for Clonmel as Conor Gleeson’s goal on 24 minutes was ruled off/side so the first period ended with St: Joseph’s taking that 1/0 lead into the interval:
CBS High School Captain Paul Maher didn’t feature in the second period as he picked up an injury and was replaced by Dylan Kennedy: A major blow for the side that were playing the better football but just couldn’t convert those chances in front of goal
St: Joseph’s started the half with intent and doubled their advantage with five minutes gone after Finbar Coyle and Ciaran Doyle combined well on the counter attack for the latter to register on the score sheet:
Rochfortbridge were demanding the play now and the midfield were executing good ball to winger Geoghegan who was on top form all afternoon:
Clonmel were keeping the ball on the ground with some neat passing manoeuvres: The Munster men looked dangerous on the ball and nearly converted when Conor Gleeson’s long range effort was hit well but sailed over Hyland’s upright with 45 gone:
CBS’s Gavin Ryan was introduced for Cian Crove while St: Joseph’s Siya Nuxmalo came on for Ian Kilcoyne as both team’s tactics differed:
The long ball approach was working for Clonmel as Conor Gleeson got one back for CBS with a splendid goal with four minutes remaining:
A nervous final few minutes ensued as the Tipperary lads pressed hard for an equaliser:
However it was to be Rochfortbridge’s day as their third was registered courtesy of a long ball into Jack Reid found Finbar Coyne in space in the box: Coyne made no mistake from close range to tap the ball into the net in the dying minutes of injury time:
A well deserved victory for Rushe’s side which sets them up for an All Ireland Final encounter with St: Gerald’s College, Castlebar:
St: Joseph’s SS, Rochfortbridge: Joe Hyland, Cathal Moran, Peter Lawlor, Sean Quinn, Killian Doyle, Sam Plant, Finbar Coyne, Jack Reid, Ian Kilcoyne, Ciaran Doyle, Mark Geoghegan
Subs used: Siya Nuxmalo (Ian Kilcoyne, 55)
Subs not used: Evan Toner, Kaelan Hickey, Bobby Conoud, Jack Murphy
Teacher: Damien Rushe
CBS High School, Clonmel: Stephen Ruan, Daire Blennan, Rory Maher, Gearoid Hearne, Richie Gunne, Paul Maher, David Roberts, Brendan Martin, Michael Morrissey, Conor Gleeson, Cian Crove
Subs used: Dylan Kennedy (Paul Maher h/t), Gavin Ryan (Cian Crove, 48) Steve Lahert (Michael Morrissey, 60)
Subs not used: Shane Mullins, Kyle Kennedy
Teachers: David Dineen, Darius Delahunty
Referee: Jim Wynne (Carlow)