Tipperary school's First Year soccer team defeats Wicklow side to reach FAI national final
Edmund Rice Secondary School in Carrick-on-Suir defeated St Killian's of Bray in the All-Ireland semi-final
The Edmund Rice Secondary School First Year soccer team from Carrick-on-Suir defeated St Killian's Community School of Bray 4-2 in the FAI Schools First Year B Boys National Cup Semi-Final at Killeshin FC grounds yesterday (Tuesday, May 12).
St Killian's led by two goals to nil early in the second half, but the Carrick team fought back in heroic fashion with goals scored by Jack Friend and Bryan Lacey.
The game went to extra time during which ERSS added two more goals to their tally. Jack Norris scored the first extra time goal and Bryan Lacey scored the second.
The national final takes place next Thursday.
Published below is the match report of the team's recent Munster final victory over Nagle Community College of Cork.
The Edmund Rice Secondary School team pictured at Dungarvan FC for the Munster final
A hat trick from Joaquin Garcia, a brace from Bryan Lacey and goal a piece for Szymon Jachim and Dale Redmond clinched the cup for the Carrick-on-Suir school team.
ERSS scored their first goal just four minutes into the game on April 27.
Bryan Lacey collected the ball near midfield, drove forward and struck a superb effort from outside the box into the bottom left corner to make it 1–0.
Nagle CC responded with a flurry of attacks but the ERSS defensive line stood firm.
ERSS then doubled their lead on 13 minutes. After a strong intervention in midfield by Ryan Walsh, the ball was worked to Joaquin Garcia, who set up Szymon Jachim, who powerfully shot low into the bottom corner.
Just five minutes later ERSS scored another goal. A defensive error by Nagle CC players was seized upon by Dale Redmond, who showed composure to beat the keeper with a clever step-over and finish.
ERSS made it 4-0 on the 21st minute mark with a goal from Joaquin Garcia who finished neatly.
Just before the break, ERSS added a fifth goal when Bryan Lacey’s effort looped over the Nagle CC keeper and into the net.
The half-time score was 5-0 to ERSS.
In the second half, Nagle CC came out with renewed vigor and pushed forward in search of a way back into the game. However, just as it looked like the Cork side were building momentum, ERSS added another goal. Joaquin Garcia struck again with a superb long-range effort.
Moments later, the impressive Garcia completed his hat-trick with an excellent chipped finish after a precise ball over the top from Zach Norris.
To their credit Nagle CC battled until the final whistle but their efforts were in vain due to ERSS' resolute defence.
Munster Chairperson Aiden Twomey presented the Collins Cup to ERSS captain Ryan Walsh.
ERSS Carrick-On-Suir Squad: Andreii Bielukha, Blake Foley, Bryan Lacey, Cathal O'Meara, Dale Redmond, Elliot Farrell, Evan Houlihan, Fionnan Quigley, Harry Meehan, Harry Tobin, Jack Bergin, Jack Friend, Jack Norris, Jack Walsh, Joaquin Garcia, Liam Kavanagh, Ryan Kelly, Ryan Walsh, Samual Carmody, Stas Czabaszewski, Szymon Jachim, Tom Crowley and Zach Norris
Management Team: Shane McCormack and Deirdre Kane.
Team captain Ryan Walsh with the Collins Cup