Athboy CS claim North-East league title

Athboy CS ......................4

Beaufort College ............3

After extra-time

Athboy CS faced Beaufort College in what turned out to be a cracking FAI Schools u-19 Div 3 North-East League final in Kentstown on Monday.

Beaufort took a 1-0 lead going into half time after a first 45 where Athboy had the wind in their favour and a lot of the ball. Beaufort having advantage of the elements extended the lead to 2-0 early in second half.

Athboy had a tough uphill climb ahead of them. However, they struck back with a cracking 30 yard strike from Sean Carolan, an equaliser from Abraham Modey, and with 10 minutes to go Kevin Fox put in what looked like to be a winner giving Athboy a 3-2 lead.

Two minutes from time Beaufort got an equaliser of their own to send the game to extra time. Extra time produced much of the same excitement with both teams exchanging chances looking to grab a winner to avoid penalties.

With five minutes to go, a foul in the box gave Athboy the chance to win the game from the spot. Briain Smith slotted the penalty away as the lads held out for a 4-3 win.

It was a brilliant comeback with notable performances from Evan Dullaghan on the left wing, Sean Ennis at centre back and Cillian Griffin at centre mid.

Having won their section, Athboy CS will now compete in the Leinster final versus the Metropolitan West representative after the February midterm. Well done lads and coach Mr Mahon!

Athboy CS - Liam Farrell, Sean Ennis, Briain Smith, Armandas Bartoska, Abraham Modey, Lovely Nosakhara, Cillian Griffin, Sean Carolan, Evan Dullaghan, Shane Hendrick, Kevin Fox. Subs: Lee Ryan, Cian Smith, Sean Carroll, Christopher Monaghan, Cormac Darcy, Oisin Boyle, Glen Craig.