Mulroy College, Milford 2-8 St. Clare’s CS, Manorhamilton
Matthew Lecky (6), Darragh McFadden (23) Diarmuid Giblin (16, 44), Eanna Clancy (26), Patrick Montgomery (29, 36, 41, 43, 52)
Manorhamilton scholars St. Clare’s Comprehensive School put in a sterling performance to see of a gallant Mulroy College in Monaghan United FC this afternoon (May 2).
Twice the Ulster Champions took the lead as Matthew Lecky scored a peach of a goal after just six minutes for the Donegal side. This was cancelled out ten minutes later when Diarmuid Giblin netted for the Leitrim lads.
Again it was the Mulroy College that netted on 23 minutes as Darragh McFadden produced a wonder goal from a super long range set piece to make it 2-1.
Manorhamilton equalised three minutes later as Eanna Clancy climbed highest in the box to head home from a Barry McNulty corner, 2-2.
The hero of the day, Patrick Montgomery (pictured below being presented with the match ball by coach Anthony McDonald) headed in from a well worked pass courtesy of Evan Broughton just before the interval to give the Leitrim crew a slight advantage in an action packed first half, 3-2 at the break.
Six minutes into the restart, Montgomery snatched his second of the afternoon as Diarmuid Giblin combined well to play him in, 4-2.
The hat-trick was complete for Montgomery as he slotted past Alex McDermott on 42 minutes to make it 5-2.
Two minutes later, Montgomery again pounced on a through ball from the industrious Giblin, 6-2.
Giblin netted for the second time himself on 44 minutes to leave a gloss on a 7-2 score-line. The Milford squad never gave up and there was always potential for a goal on the counter attack.
Matthew Lecky was unfortunate not to pull one back from the Mulroy pupils as his effort ten minutes from time just floated past the far post.
With eight minutes left, Montgomery scored the goal of the game with a super individual effort from 18 yards out to make it 8-2 and ensure their passage to the Bank of Ireland First Year ‘B’ Boys National Cup Final.
St. Clare’s CS will await the winners of Friday’s other semi-final pairing as defending Champions Dublin Oak Academy, Bray face newcomers Intermediate School Killorglin in Nenagh AFC with a 12.30pm kick off pencilled in.
The Manorhamilton contingency will focus on their National Cup Final outing which is scheduled for Wednesday, May 10(1pm) with venue to be confirmed.
MULORY COLLEGE, MILFORD | Alex McDermott, Conor Heraghty, Alex McConigley, Darragh McFadden, Darragh McDaid (Captain), Lee Callan, Niall Murray, Oisin Harkin, Ross Doherty, Matthew Lecky, Oisin Heraghty
SUBS | Conor McGinley for O Hegaghty (42), Gavin Sweeney for R Doherty (55), Matthew Price for McConigley (55), Bryan Harkin for Murray (60), Gerard Sweeney
TEACHER | Ciaran McElwaine
CLARE’S CS, MANORHAMILTON | Shane Conlon, Evan Broughton, Dylan McDermott, Matthew Connolly, Barry McNulty, Cathal O’Connell, Gabriel Gilbride, Eanna Clancy, Diarmuid Giblin, Patrick Montgomery, Alan Kavanagh
SUBS | Tarach O’Snodaigh for Gilbride (53), Gearoid O’Hagan for McDermott (55), Alex Dunne for Kavanagh (57), Ruairi Power for Broughton (55)
TEACHER | Anthony McDonald
REFEREE | Brendan Gillespie (Dundalk)