U19 Cup Final Report: Cork City U19 2 - 0 St Patrick's Athletic U19

Conor McCarthy was the hero as Cork City FC enjoyed a 2-0 victory over St. Patrick’s Athletic to lift the Enda McGuill Cup at Turners Cross.

In a windswept Turners Cross, it was Pats who started the game the strongest when Steven Kinsella broke down the wing, but his cross was just out of forward Aidan Keena’s reach and the ball rolled wide.

City responded well when Denzil Fernandes intercepted Rory Feeny to tee up Alec Byrne who had his shot just wide of the post. Minutes later a free kick by Garan Manley into the Shed End rounded the wall and forced and excellent save from Pats keeper Eric Donnelly.

Pats responded well, but couldn’t muster any proper chances with their best efforts coming from Rory Feely who’s chance was well over the bar and Steven Kinsella who was millimetres of converting a corner. City’s attack combined well, when Aaron Drinan linked up with Denzil Fernandes, but before the winger could find space, JJ Lunney cleared his lines. Yet, the Rebels pressed and soon Drinan was involved in another chance when the midfielder brought the ball down to winger Chiedozie Ogbene who shot well, but his shot was well saved by Eric Donnelly.

It was Pats who finished the half the strongest when Pats broke when Aidan Keena set up Johnathon Lunney who’s shot was blocked by Conor McCarthy, with the ball falling to Pat’s Captain Fuad Sule who shot well over the bar.

Both sides were locked at 0-0 at the break, with the pace of Cork City FC being thwarted by a well drilled Pat’s back four.

As the skies opened and the rain leaked down, the referee sounded for the restart. City began the half replacing Ross Welch with Daire O Riordan. From the whistle City pressed, and within seconds won themselves a free when Nathan Benson fouled Ogbene just outside the area. Both teams struggled to control the area, and a goal mouth scramble led to a Pats break. On the opposite side, Darragh Mackey was fouled in front of goal, gifting Pats a free kick. Up stepped Rory Feely who shot well into the Shed End and wide. Pats quickly brought on Tory Carey for defender Benson and switched to a flat back three. 

The tensions where soon broken when substitute Daire O Riordan forced a corner off of Conor Kane, which was drilled in by Conor McCarthy.

Pats responded well to the set back, and enjoyed a good display of procession, which built to Steven Kinsella shooting into the hands of David Coffey in the City goal. Pats pressed and the substitutions of Darragh Markey for Jamie Lennon and William McAdams for Johnathon Lunney promised fresh legs for the Pats midfield who dominated the centre of the park. Against the run of play, any hopes of an equaliser where dashed though when Cork City broke thanks to Chiedozie Ogbene in the closing minutes who tore down the wing only to be brought down inside the area by Ciaran Kelly. Up stepped Aaron Drinan who fired into the right hand side; low and well passed keeper Donnelly.

Cork City; D. Coffey, K. Taylor, P. Phillips, G. Manley, C. McCarthy, C. Coleman (Captain), C. Ogbene, R. Welch (D. O Riordan 52’), A. Drinan, D. Fernandes, A. Byrne. 

Subs not used: A. Mylod, E. K. Harrington,  Cronin, J. O Reagan, P. Crowley, A. O Sullivan.

Booked: None.

St. Patricks Athletic: E. Donnelly, C. Kelly, R. Feely, C. Kane, N. Benson (T. Carey 55’), F. Sule, S. Kinsella, D. Markey (J. Lennon 70’), J. Lunney (W. McAdams 70’) S. Elworthy, A. Keena.

Subs not used: L. Doyle, D. O Donovan, S. Gorgan, S. Ball.

Booked: C. Kelly (’87)