A first National Cup title for St. Mary's CBS, Enniscorthy over St. Joseph's College in Tom Ticher Cup Final

                                                      

 

CBS Enniscorthy crowned Tom Ticher Cup Champions

Bank of Ireland FAI Schools Tom Ticher Junior National Cup Final (U17)

 

Tuesday, May 2, 2018

 

St. Mary’s CBS, Enniscorthy 1-0 St. Joseph’s College, Galway

Kieran Murphy (35)


Kieran Murphy fired home a goal of real quality which ultimately proved enough for St. Mary’s CBS, Enniscorthy to claim their first ever Bank of Ireland FAI Schools Tom Ticher Junior National Cup in an exciting and highly competitive decider against favourites St. Joseph’s College, Galway at Home Farm FC this afternoon (May 2).

 

St. Joseph’s College last claimed this title back in 2015 following their 2014 Cup success so their pedigree at this level is usually second to none. The Galway lads were coming off the back of the Minor Under 15’s title last month so the success story may have been scripted for the West but the Wexford crew put on an excellent display to deny Coley Kelly’s side.

Kieran Murphy has a habit of scoring some vital goals in important games and this afternoon was no different. The Enniscorthy striker broke the deadlock in the closing minutes of the first half with a wonderful sharp turn and cracking left footed delivery into the top corner of the St Joseph’s net with goalkeeper Sam Gorman helpless to get anywhere close to it.

Cian Hanley had created the chance with a neat cross but Murphy’s finish was a one of the highlights of a closely fought game and a worthy match winner.

Both sides had earlier chances and St. Mary’s ‘keeper Sean Maher, later named Player of the Match by Bank of Ireland Ambassador and Dundalk’s Gary Rogers, had to be at his best to keep out efforts from Charlie Concannon and Colin Kelly.

At the other end Lee Jordan came close with a couple of close range free kicks and Hanley saw his header was just past the post.

Good work from winger Brody Murphy continually put the St. Joseph’s defence under pressure but St. Mary’s were unable to capitalise on his dangerous crosses.

Solid second half defending by skipper Daniel Bruce and Eanna Doyle kept St. Joseph’s at bay as they went in search of the equaliser.

Concannon and Kelly worked hard to get the Galway side back on terms but when the chances came they had no joy with Maher in such fine form between the Enniscorthy posts.

One save in particular near the end when he went full stretch to keep out Kelly’s shot from distance had the large attendance applauding the Wexford FC Under 17’s man who had been included in the first team squad for the previous evening’s Leinster Senior Cup tie against Cabinteely FC.

Festy Ebosele a second half substitute for St. Mary’s threatened to set up a second goal with a couple of dangerous crosses but to no avail as both Murphy and Jordan failed to get on the end of them.

St. Joseph’s did have a late appeal for a penalty when the hardworking Kelly was taken down as he bust forward but match official Paul Norton awarded a free kick on the edge of the box that Maher gathered.

 

St. Mary’s were solid in defence all afternoon and ensured the clean sheet with Maher’s heroics. A first National Cup title for the school in soccer so jubilation scenes following the final whistle at Whitehall.

 

This is a double for the Wexford side as they captured the Wicklow / Wexford Under 17’s League title earlier in the season. Definitely a school that will impress next season at this level.


Bank of Ireland Player of the Match | Gary Rogers, Bank of Ireland Ambassador & Dundalk FC goalkeeper was in attendance to announce Sean Maher (St. Mary’s CBS, Enniscorthy) as Man of the Match following his heroics between the posts this afternoon


ST. MARY’S CBS, ENNISCORTHY | Sean Maher, Josh Waldron, Daniel Bruce (Captain), Eanna Doyle, Noel Rowsome, Paudie Casey, Lee Jordan, Michael Delaney (Craig Peare 71), Brody Murphy, Cian Hanley, Kieran Murphy (Festy Ebosele 60).
SUBS NOT USED | Darragh Breen, Cathal Roche, Ashely Kabuba, Barlomeij Walkowiak, Michael McGrath, Aaron Wallace, Evan Dempsey.
TEACHERS | Shane Murphy & Lisa Burke.
ASSISTANTS | Nathan O’Connor & Stephen Kearns.

ST. JOSEPH’S COLLEGE, GALWAY | Sam Gorman; Dillon Cummins, Ian Casserly, Hakeem Ryan, Jack Greaney; Ben Gorman, Dean Murphy (Captain); Ethan Fiorentini (Mikey Devaney 55), Colin Kelly, Charlie Concannon; Daniel Cox.
SUBS NOT USED | Gabby Okocha, Iarlaith O’Sullivan, Conal Gallagher, James Egan, Lewis Waweru, Sean O’Brien, David Sheridan, Stephen Iredale, Campbell Idemudia, Deangelo Massah, Rory Melody Dean Fitzpatrick.
TEACHER | Coley Kelly
ASSISTANT | Alex Lee


REFEREE | Paul Norton (Dublin)