There was bitter disappointment for Abbey Vocational School Donegal Town in Friday’s All-Ireland FAI Schoolboys under-17 soccer semi-final as they lost out to Rice College of Westport on penalties in a dramatic game played at Ray MacSharry Park in Sligo.
Following chances for both sides, it was the Westport students who took the lead. Right back Noah Massey’s mishit cross wasn’t dealt with by Abbey V.S. and Cian Halpin fired past goalkeeper Peadar Shallow.
Rice College doubled their lead four minutes later as Lorcan Silked found the back of the net.
Abbey Vocational School’s Robbie Murphy was lively throughout and his enthusiasm was rewarded a minute before time as he closed down Rice College Conor Meaney’s kick and the ball ended up in the net.
There was not many chances in the opening fifteen minutes of the second half before the Abbey equalised.
Jake Graham sent a long, hopeful ball into the Rice College half which Robbie Murphy latched on to and finished with aplomb to level matters.
The sides were level 2-2 at the end of normal and extra-time.
And so, the game entered a penalty shoot-out.
David Monaghan and Aaron McGrory both scored for Abbey VS. However, Westport keeper Conor Meaney saved the three other Abbey penalty kicks in the shoot-out as the Mayo school won 3-2 to progress to the national cup final.
Following the game, Abbey Vocational School manager Mark Young spoke to Ocean FM Sport’s Ronan Flanagan
