Late free kick sinks Thurles CBS in Munster Junior Schools decider in Mitchelstown

Munster FAI Junior U17 Schools Cup Final

Thurles CBS 1

Colaiste An Spioraid Naoimh 2

Thurles CBS came very close to pulling off a big upset and in the process secure an historic win in the Munster FAI Junior Schools final, but they were undone by a moment of magic from Colaiste An Spioraid midfielder Odhran Foley who scored a sublime free kick in the 70th minute to win the cup for the Bishopstown school in Mitchelstown earlier today.

Played in bitterly cold weather at the excellent facilities of Park United FC on the outskirts of Mitchelstown, the 4G pitch ended up being a blessing as a harsh wind along with cutting weather made it a really tough day to play in the decider, but both teams served up a pulsating second half after a turgid opening 40 minutes.

Colaisté were the better team in the first half despite Thurles CBS playing with the advantage of the significant breeze as they controlled the possession for large spells, but it was the Tipperary school who had the first meaningful chance of the game and were close to taking the lead, when Ronan O’Brien’s floated from kick from his own half nearly deceived the Colaisté goalkeeper who tipped the ball onto the crossbar before Tom Ryan’s attempted volley from the rebound hit one of his teammates to go behind for a goal kick.

That was in the 11th minute of play and from here, the Cork side took control of proceedings with numerous openings coming their way for a pot at goal, but some poor shooting along with some confident goalkeeping from Fionn Fogarty in the Thurles goal kept the sides level.

Indeed, the Thurles defence was a big bastion of strength for the underdogs on the day, with the back three of Ronan O’Brien, Louis Coughlan, and Tristan Kelly putting in some big tackles and blocks in the opening half, as little action was going down the direction of the Colaisté goalmouth.

Weather conditions were numbingly cold for players and spectators, but the contest was quick to heat up at the start of the second half as Colaisté hit the front in the 53rd minute when midfielder Odhran Foley controlled a drilled pass on the edge of the Thurles CBS box brilliantly before rolling a pass out right to the overlapping figure of right back Dylan McCarthy who crashed his right footed effort to the roof of the net from close range which gave Fogarty on goal no chance.

It looked like a big mountain to climb for Thurles now considering how little in the way of efforts they had had in the game to date, but they showed how resilient they are as they equalised four minutes later; coming from a set piece on the left hand side of the Colaisté box.

A sumptuous delivery from Finn Jones caused consternation in the box and when the ball deflected towards goal, it was Conor Gleeson who reacted quickest to prod the bouncing ball to the back of the net ahead of the onrushing goalkeeper. Game on at 1-1 with some 30 minutes left.

Despite that boost of confidence for Thurles CBS the Cork school in opposition kept to their task and continued to move the ball well, with some intricate passing a hallmark of their play all day and were continually frustrated by hard work from the Thurles defence.

However, it would all come undone in the 70th minute after Ronan O’Brien fouled the big Colaisté centre forward Jeoffrey Zeph on the edge of the box, with the opportunity taken with both hands by Odhran Foley who curled an absolute beauty into the top right hand corner from the free kick to regain the lead for the Cork school.

Another response was needed for Thurles to stay in the game and in fairness to them, they did pour forward in the last ten minutes looking for an equaliser and nearly levelled the game in the 73rd minute from a free kick on the edge of the box from the elusive Jake Jordan; his effort denied by a tip over save from the Colaiste goalie.

They continued to lump the ball long in an effort to get that one chance before the end, but it never came as the final whistle blew to the agony of the Thurles CBS players, management, and significant support who travelled to see the game as Colaiste An Spioraid Naoimh claimed the honours.

Goalscorers: Thurles CBS: Conor Gleeson (57).

Colaiste An Spioraid Naoimh: Dylan McCarthy (53); Odhran Foley (70).

Thurles CBS: Fionn Fogarty; Conor Gleeson, Ronan O’Brien, Louis Coughlan, Tristan Kelly, Finn Jones; Tom Ryan, Tristan Troy; Alex Coppinger, Conor Ryan, Jake Jordan.

Subs: Irelah Donoghue for Coppinger (55, inj); Eamon Ryan for C Ryan (73).

Colaiste An Spioraid Naoimh: Senan Dorgan; Dylan McCarthy, Gary Holand, Mark O’Brien, Robert O’Leary; Jayden McCarthy, Odhran Foley, Chris Harrington; Ryan O’Leary, Joffrey Zeph, Jordan McCarthy.

No subs used.