Pike Rovers celebrate Limerick District League Youth Premier Boland Cup final win

Youth Premier Boland Cup Final:

Pike Rvs 5 Corbally Utd 0

PIKE Rovers completed the league and cup double on Friday evening when the defeated Corbally Utd 5-0 in Jackman Park.

Following their defeat in the Munster Youth final last weekend, we wondered how it might affect the players and in the opening half it seemed to be a drag on the Hoops as they struggled to find their rhythm.

However, on their return after the break, the champions hit their stride and ran out comfortable winners in the end.

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Having chalked up big wins in their league encounters, Pike went into the tie as strong favourites but from the off, Corbally were determined to upset the odds and they were very good. For all they created they came up against the towering Sean McCallig at the heart of the Pike defence who proved too strong.

Likewise at the other end where Corbally defended doggedly with Cian Gibbons; Mark McDermott and Jack Hannon in the thick of the action.

In the opening quarter Sean Kiely, who was proving a real handful, got in behind the Pike rearguard but keeper Mariuz Palen made a good save.

At the other end Cameron Walsh saw his effort from an acute angle fly narrowly wide.

Just before the break, a super move by Corbally saw Kiely break into the box but again keeper Palen saved well.

Pike’s half time team talk worked as the Hoops came out a different proposition after the break helped in no small part by the introduction of Aaron Cusack who went on to set up four goals.

Pike took the lead withing five minutes when Ryan Moloney’s pull back in the area was blasted in by Shane Finucane.

It was 2-0 within minutes when Aaron Cusack’s flick on put Calum O'Hanlon through to score in the centre.

Finucane scored his second to kill the game as a contest again from another good Cusack pass.

A superb through ball by Cusack sent Cian Punch clear to round the keeper before netting and the scoring was completed by Scott McGuire racing through to finish a superb Cusack pass to bring the curtain down on the Youth Premier season.

Pike Rvs: Mariuz Palen; Jack Croke; Ethan Joyce; Eoghan Cunningham; Sean McCallig; Pa Steed; Ryan Moloney; Finn Morrison; Cameron Walsh; Calum O'Hanlon; Shane Finucane. Subs: Jamie Mitchell; Scott McGuire; Aaron Cusack; Cian Punch; Liam Murphy.

Corbally Utd: Darragh Newman; L O'Sullivan; Cian Gibbons; Mark McDermott; Jack Hannon; E Freeman; T O'Brien; C Coughlan; Sean Kiely; Oscar O'Donoghue; Fionn Reid. Subs: D Connolly; C Broe; C Coughlan; A Donnellan; M Hassett; K Williams.