Borrisokane Community College into Munster Soccer Final

Borrisokane CC 1

St Colman's College, Fermoy 1

Borrisokane win 4-2 on penalties

 

Borrisokane Community College have progressed to the final of the SFAI Munster Schools Senior Challenge Cup following a penalty shootout win over St Colman's College, Fermoy in the semi-final played in UL last Wednesday.

Both teams were cautious in the opening exchanges with neither giving much away. As the game progressed, Borris looked threatening on the break. Paidi Williams was menacing down the right wing, feeding a couple of inviting balls goal ward towards Neil Connelly.

On 14 minutes, Nathan Lynch found himself in front of goal but couldn’t get his shot away. Both teams looked energetic on the break and solid at the back. St. Colman's David Morrisson threatened on 35 minutes after a mazy run, but goalkeeper Eoghan Tinkler produced a fine save to keep his effort out.

The second half started well for Borris, Nathan Lynch got more involved in the game and turned his man on several occasions. His goal ward burst on 51 minutes was saved by the goalkeeper from close range.

St. Colman’s continued to attack on the break and on 60 minutes an uncharacteristic error at the back invited Colman’s goal ward, Dylan O’Connor making no mistake from ten yards. Borris needed to dig deep and cancelled out the lead within four minutes when Neil Connelly got on the end of a Paidi Williams free kick to level the game.

This awakened Borris and they began to look stronger going forward. Jack Mahoney could capitalised on a Lynch through ball on 73 minutes however his shot was the ideal height for Colman’s keeper Cian Hogan. Captain Mark Carey was solid at the back as was Matthew Moyles, while both teams searched for a winner.

The game was ended tied at 1-1 with extra time required. Borris didn’t panic, having been in similar situations last season. The side-line erupted on 108 minutes when Connelly again found the net from eight yards from a curling Oisin Larkin ball, however he was judged to be offside.

With penalties required to separate the sides, Borris knew that Eoghan Tinkler was liable to produce one of his trademark shootout saves. The players taking the penalties dispatched them with accuracy and conviction. It was left to man of the match Connelly to hit the decisive penalty and he made no mistake, sending his team into the Challenge Cup Final with a 4-2 shootout win.

Borrisokane CC team: Eoghan Tinkler; James Kirk, Ben Chadwick, Damien Bergin, Mark Carey (Capt), Sean McAdams, Paidi Williams, Matthew Moyles, Nathan Lynch, Neil Connolly, Jack Mahoney. Subs: Oisin Larkin for Chadwick; Michael Egan for Lynch.