Harvey leads the way for impressive Tullamore College

FAI Schools Leinster Boys Metropolitan West Junior League Division Two final

Tullamore College 6 St Finian’s College 3

Tullamore College’s junior soccer team put in an impressive performance to defeat St Finian’s College, Mullingar, thereby securing the West Leinster Division 2 league title yesterday (Wednesday).

Played in pleasant sunshine at the Mullingar Athletic FC grounds in Gainstown, this final gave spectators a very enjoyable experience, though the strong wind did have a bearing on the play.

A commanding first-half display by Tullamore saw the Offaly side 4-0 up at the break, and a very spirited second half by Mullingar was not enough to claw it back, with the full-time score sheet showing 6-3 to the Tullamore side.

The early exchanges suggested that St Finian’s had real prospects for the silverware. However, a Conor Rigney goal put Tullamore in front and their dominance continued for the rest of the first half.

Next name on the score sheet for Tullamore was Jamie Harvey, who was impressive throughout the contest, followed by Cian Rigney and Adam Malone.

St Finian’s had a much better second half. Ben Gilsenan’s goal from a set piece was the Mullingar team’s opener in the 55th minute.

Tullamore captain Menzi Hadebe, who had been a constant threat throughout the game, extended the lead with eight minutes left to play, and the imperious Harvey struck again three minutes later to bring the winners’ tally to six.

A brace for Mullingar in the dying embers of the game, one from substitute Denys Komar and a second from Gilsenan, put a better complexion on the final score.

This was an impressive win for Tullamore, with standout contributions from Jamie Harvey and Adam Malone key to their success.

Tullamore College: Adomas Lukosius, Odhran Gilmartin, Sean Goodings, Eoghan O’Connor, Adam Harte, Jamie Harvey, Menzi Hadebe (captain), Cian Rigney, Cillian Hogan, Adam Malone, Conor Rigney. Subs: Eoin Gorman, Liam Freer, Sean Ryan, Rory Gill.

St Finian’s College, Mullingar: Conor Matthews, Paddy Colleary, Cathal Murtagh, Rohan Corr, Manus Kelly, Fionn Connolly, Fionn Leslie, Jamie McDonnell (captain), Ben Gilsenan, Fionn Campbell, Josh O'Brien. Subs: Denys Komar, Zach Gilbride, Jason Langan.

Referee: Ciaran Bracken.