Massive milestone victory for Colaiste na Mi side
Meath school show resilience to claim historic title
GAVIN BYRNE
The Colaiste na Mi u-17 boys soccer team made history when they came from behind to claim the school’s first ever North East League title at that age group when defeating Ardee CS 3-1in the final.
Played on the tight astro pitch at Drogheda Institute of Further Education, Ardee seemed to feel more at home on Louth soil and backed by a strong breeze, they came out of the blocks strongly in the first half, pinning CNM into their own half of the park for much of the opening period.
Ten minutes in, a swift Ardee counter-attack down the left flank was crossed into the path of their right-winger, who fired home from close range to give them an early lead. Indeed they should have doubled their advantage moments later, when a mix-up in defence saw the ball break to Ardee’s striker, who’s rushed shot drifted inches wide of an open goal.
With the wind preventing any long ball from seriously threatening the Ardee defence, CNM looked toothless in attack in the first half.
A left-footed Liam Herbert shot which dragged narrowly wide from a tight angle, and a Weselowski shot from inside the penalty area which was well saved by Ardee’s net-minder were the best moments in what was a barren half for CNM.
Ardee looked dangerous in many of their attacks leading up to half time, and but for some resolute defending from Seán O’Connell, Alex Quigley, Max Curtis and Killian McCarrick, the game may have been beyond CNM’s reach in the second half.
The change of ends for the start of the second period also signalled a complete change of fortune for CNM. Having survived the first half conceding only one goal, the Navan boys utilised the wind to apply a relentless onslaught on the Ardee goal for the remainder of the game.
Three minutes after the restart, CNM thought they had equalised when Conor Hannigan found the net from close range, only for the linesman to make a late call for offside.
The Johnstown boys’ celebrations were only briefly put on ice however, when a silky Herbert run from midfield led him to the edge of the opposition’s box. His right-footed shot, under pressure, flashed across the goal and nestled inside the far post to draw his side level with 56 minutes on the clock.
CNM took the lead four minutes later when Carlos Vazquez del Rio’s lung-bursting run met Alan Istrati’s perfectly measured cross to head home from close range. The post denied Vazquez a second goal moments later, after the Ardee netminder could only parry Kyle Connolly’s shot into Vazquez’s path.
Not content with their one goal lead, CNM continued to press forward. In the 73rd minute, a direct Weselowski run beat two defenders before being brought down illegally. Herbert’s powerful 25-yard effort from the resulting free-kick deflected off the wall, and deceived the Ardee keeper to find the net and all but end the game.
Captain Liam Herbert was awarded the cup at the final whistle, and along with Weselowski they become the only two players in school history to have won two North East titles, being part of the successful u-15 side from 2020.
The team now look forward to their Leinster Champions League campaign which begins after the midterm break.
Colaiste na Mi - Tyler Farrell; Max Curtis, Alex Quigley, Seán O’Connell, Alan Istrati, Kyle Connolly, Jan Weselowski, Killian McCarrick, Carlos Vazquez del Rio, Liam Herbert, Conor Hannigan. Subs - Brandon O’Callaghan, Johnathon Rice, Muddasser Khan.