Hazelwood College book spot in FAI Schools First Year ‘B’ Boys National Cup final

HAZELWOOD College, Dromcollogher have secured their spot in the FAI Schools First Year ‘B’ Boys National Cup final after an exciting 3-2 victory over Blessington Community College after extra-time.

The Limerick school will now face Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair in the FAI Schools First Year ‘B’ Boys National Cup decider on Wednesday, October 2 at 1pm. Venue to be confirmed.

In energy sapping conditions, the Dromcollogher scholars came from behind twice to take the game to extra time. It took a sensational effort to win the contest and Johnny POWER delivered deep into added time.

A hugely disappointing end to proceedings for the Wicklow outfit who were technically excellent in the first half. Their endeavours were rewarded with a brace from the impressive Senan FISHER. The youngster converted from the spot after three minutes and followed this up midway through the second half for his brace.

Blessington’s early penalty call set them up nicely for some excellent football. They nearly doubled their tally on nine minutes when Zach Geogegan came agonisingly close at the far post. It remained 1-0 to Jonathan Dowling’s team at half-time.

Hazelwood didn’t come out of the block until the second period as they certainly intensified their attacking options and showed some real style.  

Gary Murphy went close on 42 minutes but the breakthrough came a few seconds later for Hazelwood when Johnny POWER finished off superbly to equalise, 1-1.

It was Murphy again on the ball as his shot came off the underside of the crossbar on 45 minutes. Blessington hit them on the counter and Senan FISHER slotted home a wonderful strike to give the Wicklow students the lead again, 2-1. It was end to end action at this stage.

The Wicklow advantage was short-lived as Muiris McCARTHY pounced to make it 2-2, two minutes later. Dromcollogher were not giving up. Jamie Power had a brilliant opportunity to give Blessington the lead but the ball went wide of the target five minutes from time. The game ended 2-2.

There was no clear cut chances for either side in the first period of extra-time but a Johnny POWER special four minutes from the final whistle produced an audacious goal. He struck a corner kick and scored direct to win the game for Hazelwood!   A dramatic conclusion to a fabulous game.

HAZELWOOD COLLEGE, DROMCOLLOGHER: Conor Lynch, Marko Boyle, Geoffrey Taylor, Muiris McCarthy, Darragh Aspinall, Brendan Meehan, Conor McGarry, Michéal O’Kelly (C), Gary Murphy, Dylan Boyce, Johnny Power

SUBS ROLL ON/OFF: CJ Enright (GK), Callum Curtin, Joey O’Connor, Seán O’Dwyer, Oran Lynch, Luke Hogenes, Caolan Boyce

TEACHERS: Yvonne Devine, Denis McCarthy, Betty Cotter

BLESSINGTON COMMUNITY COLLEGE: Kayden McMahon, Alex Lunders, Rian Elliott, Zach Keogh, Kayden Siney, Seighin Beattie (C), Oscar Magee, Jack Lyon, Zach Geogegan, Jamie Power, Seanan Fisher

SUBS ROLL ON/OFF:Sam Satelle, Rhys Fizhenry, Ivano Jakesecic, Conor Carroll, Aaran Hendrick, Ryan Byrne

TEACHER: Jonathan Dowling COACH: Lee Brennan