Balla SS overcome Largy College
FAI Schools Minor ‘B’ Boys National Cup Semi Final (Under 15, Small Schools)
Tuesday, April 23, 2024
Balla Secondary School 4-1 Largy College, Clones
Ryan Cunningham (11), Dylan Dunne (17, 68), Ryan Judge (27), Aidan McFarland (16)
BALLA SECONDARY SCHOOL made light work of Clones side Largy College in the FAI Schools Minor ‘B’ Boys National Cup Semi Final in Ray MacSharry Park, Sligo yesterday (Monday, April 22).
The Mayo crew got the perfect start to proceedings when Ryan CUNNINGHAM broke the deadlock on 11 minutes.
A second came four minutes later as Dylan Dunne met a Cunningham free-kick on the half volley but the exquisite move was chalked off for an off-side.
The hard working Largy College equalised quickly after that as Aidan McFARLAND rattled the Balla net.
Then moments later, Balla took the led for a second time with Ryan JUDGE squeezing in a lovely effort from an acute angle.
It ended 3-1 to Balla at the break.
Rían Quigley made a number of fine saves to keep his side in contention in the second period as he denied the talented Dunne, Cunningham and Vahey.
Phelim Brady forced Balla keeper Noah Murphy into a double save with ten minutes remaining. Jude McGinty impressed for Clones alongside Captain McCaughey and McElvaney. Frustratingly the Monaghan side just couldn’t break down the Balla defence.
Balla grabbed a fourth goal late on as Dylan DUNNE converted his second of the afternoon. A tremendous all round performance from Darren O’Malley’s side.
The Connacht Champions Balla Secondary School will now take on Grange Community College, Donaghmede in this season’s Cup decider which is pencilled in for Wednesday, May 1 at 1pm.
BALLA SECONDARY SCHOOL | Noah Murphy, Keelan Corrigan, Adam Jennings, Ethan Duffy, Ben Kileen, Charlie Fallen, Tony Cunningham, Matthew Vahey, Dylan Dunne ©, Ryan Cunningham,Ryan Judge
ROLL ON / OFF SUBS | Jack Batlen, Fionn Burke, Danel Lyons, Cillian Broderick, Ryan Nolan, Colm Tuohy, Darragh Broderick
TEACHERS | Darren O’Malley & Jonathan Ó Ceallaigh
LARGY COLLEGE, CLONES | Rían Quigley, Donncha Quigley, Paddy McDonald, James Reavey, Odhran Carolan, Aidan McFarland, Phelim Brady, Jude McGinty, Mantas Paulauskas, Eoin McElvaney, Matthew McCaughey ©
ROLL ON / OFF SUBS | Ryan Lynch, Cian Lynch, Ciaran McMahon (GK), Daithi Hand, James McCaffrey, Ryan Murphy, Jay McDonald
TEACHERS | Ian Hogan & Keith Meisner
MATCH OFFICIAL | Keenan Deering (Sligo)
