Rice unable to recover from Wilson’s early winner

FAI Schools National Junior (U17) Cup Final 

Rice College 1 

Portmarnock CS 0 

Stuart Tynan in Athlone Town Stadium

Rice College’s hopes of joining a select group of retaining the Tom Ticher Cup ultimately fell short last Wednesday afternoon at the hands of Portmarnock Community School in Athlone.

Since 1989, only two schools have ever gone back-to-back: St Joseph’s College, Galway (on two occasions) and Salesian College, Celbridge. That statistic alone tells you how difficult the task ahead for the Westport boys was, and while there was no shortage of endeavour, a lack of killer instinct in the final third proved costly.

Only four of the starters from last year’s final – Michael McDonnell, Eoghan Moran, Seán Casey and captain Jamie O’Malley – were in the starting eleven for this one while the likes of Jack O’Malley, Simeon Popov and Killian Conway became key cogs.

Ultimately, Rice struggled to break down a resolute Portmarnock defence. Deploying three centre-backs, the Dublin outfit snuffed out much of the threat, with Tadi Chikoko forcing Jack O’Malley to feed on scraps.

At the other end, Jamie Fynn, Jack O’Hanlon and Cian Wilson caused problems and it was the latter who would score what would be the eventual winner after only four minutes. 20 yards from goal, his precise low drive gave McDonnell no chance and sent the Portmarnock bench and supporters into raptures.

Rice College had arrived in big numbers themselves and the Westport side tried to get back into the game after the early blow. Their first shot would not arrive until 24 minutes of play as Killian Conway’s effort from 35 yards had to be tipped over by Kyle Grainger.

At the other end, McDonnell did well to save O’Hanlon’s volley two minutes later. Rice College began to grow in confidence and the pass of the half from Conway almost put O’Malley in but ‘Jacko’ could not get a shot away.

A minute before half-time, the best opening for Rice College arrived but Rian Durkan’s spectacular volley on the edge of the box came back off the woodwork.

The pressure on Portmarnock increased in the second-half possession-wise but it was the Dublin side who had the better of the chances in the third quarter. Jamie Fynn was denied twice, first by the goalkeeper and then by the referee moments later, after he had the ball in the net but the official Paul Tone had seen a foul on Rice College left-back Sean Casey in the buildup.

Portmarnock saw a golden chance to put the game to bed fall away on 65 minutes. They broke away with a quick counter and the ball was played into Wilson only for him to be denied by a brilliant challenge by Eoghan Moran.

As the minutes ticked away, Rice College sent deliveries into the box but those appeared more in hope than expectation. A possible penalty shout was waved away after Ben Holmes went down after a coming together with goalkeeper Kyle Grainger, but the goalkeeper appeared to get the ball. No other chance arrived in an injury-time and Portmarnock saw out the final few minutes comfortably to win the cup.

Rice College: Michael McDonnell, Eoghan Moran, Seán Casey, Tom McGeough, Darragh Reynolds, Jamie O’Malley, Rian Durkan, Killian Conway, Simeon Popov, Jack O’Malley, Ethan McGing. Subs: Aron Heaney (for Popov 52, inj), Ben Holmes (for McGing 66).

Portmarnock Community School: Kyle Grainger, Matthew Reen, Senan Finn, Matthew Goti, Tadi Chikoko, Aaron McGlynn, Alexander Moore, Jack O’Hanlon, Jamie Fynn, Cian Wilson, Seán Jones. Subs: Seán Lowry (for Jones 55), Ben Morris (for Moore 74).

REF: Paul Tone (Athlone).