Parkvilla heartbreak as they lose out in FAI Youth Cup semi-final thriller

Parkvilla3

St Joseph's Boys4

There was heartbreak for Parkvilla as they conceded two late goals and lost out to St Joseph's Boys in a seven-goal thriller in this FAI Youth Cup semi-final at Claremont Stadium.

The Navan side were rocked back on their heels early on when they conceded the opening goal of the game in the second minute. However, they hit back soon after when Ryan Murray played a super pass over the top to Sam Kirwan who finished expertly to the net.

Just four minutes later Kirwan struck again after Brandon Zamojski had put him through after producing some lovely play down the left wing. The game continued to ebb and flow and shortly before the break St Joseph's equalised to leave it 2-2 at the break.

In the second-half 'Villa made three substitutions as they sought to freshen things up but then they shipped a big blow when Jack Kelly had to go off injured. Down to 10 men the spirited 'Villa side continued to create chances with Sean Christie and Dylan Buckle going close. In the closing minutes Christie found the net with a lob.

It was looking good for 'Villa but St Joseph's pushed forward and fired home two goals in quick succession to clinch a place in the final. What drama, what heartbreak for the Navan side. For 'Villa it was a classic case of so near yet so far.

This was a superb effort from the Navan side with Luc Doyle, Ryan Murray, Kirwan and Wojtek Marzec in particular, standing out with the high standard of their displays.

Parkvilla - Sonny O’Gorman, Brandon Zamojski, Craig Friery, Ryan Murray, Jack Kelly, Fawaz Adewunmi, Jack Dempsey, Luc Doyle, David Crocock, Maciej Fijalkwaski, Callum Bartley, Alan Istrati, Sam Kirwan, Wojtek Marzec, Sean Christie, Enzo McConnell & Dylan Buckle.

SFAI

Torro Utd6

Park Celtic Summerhill1

With the help of two goals apiece form Meena McConnell and Aine Byrne, Torro Utd marched to a deserved victory over Park Celtic Summerhill in this u-16 Girls SFAI Regional final at the MDL on Saturday. Leah Cahill and Edel O'Reilly were also on the mark for the in-form Torro side who brought their best form to the game. At the interval Torro were already well on the way to victory as they led 3-0.

Torro Utd - Kayleigh Black, Tegan Brady, Aine Byrne, Leah Cahill, Ciara Davies, Kayla Dunne, Emily Geraghty, Emily Kealy, Meena McConnell, Leah Moore, Rachel Murphy, Edel O’Reilly, Mollie O’Reilly, Lana Smith, Saoirse Ward, Laura Young.