Ryan treble fires Clara boys to victory over Gweedore
SOCCER: FAI Schools Minor ‘B’ Boys National Cup semi-final (U-15, Small Schools)
Ard Scoil Chiaráin Naofa, Clara 6 Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair 3
A nine-goal thriller was played out between Ard Scoil Chiaráin Naofa of Clara and Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair in Ray MacSharry Park, Sligo yesterday evening (Thursday).
Jason Kiernan’s charges slotted six past the Ulster champions who were chasing the game for long spells.
Clara talisman Isaac Ryan netted a hat-trick and combined with a brace from Tadhg Maher and a strike from Dylan Dunne, the contest was wrapped up before the hour mark.
To their credit, Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair never gave up and kept themselves in the game with three goals themselves.
Their netminder Lorcan Mac Giolla Choill should be applauded for his heroics throughout the 70 minutes as he denied several exceptional attempts on goal.
The Leinster champions forced the Gweedore number one into a brilliant save just two minutes in as Isaac Ryan’s shot was on target only for the outstretched hand of Mac Giolla Choill.
Then three minutes later, Gweedore had their own chance to open the scoring as Micheal Mac Suibhne missed a gilt-edged chance as he rounded the keeper and faced an empty net only for his shot to be dragged wide of the far post.
The Offaly side had a delightful set piece which saw Leon Nolan head down into the path of Isaac Ryan on the six-yard line, but the striker poked the ball past the near post with 12 minutes played.
Dylan Deehan Kavanagh tested the Gweedore keeper midway through the first half, but the Donegal starlet saved again.
The deadlock was broken on 22 minutes as Tadhg Maher snatched on a loose ball in the box following Lorcan Mac Giolla Choill save off Isaac Ryan’s previous effort.
Then Ryan got on the scoresheet himself with a delightful slice into the net as they led 2-0 on 26 minutes.
Gweedore’s Tadhg Ó Baoill grabbed a goal back for the Donegal side on 30 minutes.
Ryan netted this second and Clara’s third three minutes from the interval, leaving Kiernan’s side leading 3-1 at the break.
Gweedore Captain Brian Mac Pháidín missed a wonderful opportunity to bring the deficit back to one eight minutes after the restart, but the youngster couldn’t get his attempt on target. However, he redeemed himself five minutes later as Mac Pháidín slotted past James McKenna to make it 3-2.
The Gweedore comeback was short-lived as Maher got his second and Clara’s fourth of the afternoon two minutes later.
Dylan Dunne made it 5-2 on 53 minutes while, two minutes later, Ryan’s hat-trick was complete to make it 6-2.
PSGD’s fortunes suffered a blow when substitute Jack Mac Dubhghaill picked up his second yellow in quick succession and he received his marching orders three minutes from time.
Substitute Taeghan Coyle grabbed a goal back late on to make it 3-6.
Ard Scoil Chiaráin Naofa will await the winners of the other semi-final which is due to take place later today (Friday), March 31 as Balla Secondary School take on Coláiste Muire, Crosshaven in Fairview Rangers AFC, Limerick at 12 noon.
The final is scheduled for Wednesday, April 26 (1pm), with the venue to be confirmed.
SCORERS - Ard Scoil Chiaráin: T Maher (22 mins, 49), I Ryan (26, 32, 55), Dylan Dunne (53). Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair: T Ó Baoill (30), B Mac Pháidín (47), T Coyle (70).
ARD SCOIL CHIARÁIN NAOFA, CLARA: James McKenna (captain), Jack Griffith, Ryan Handy, Daniel Stoyanov, John Carroll, Lima Fitzpatrick, Dylan Dunne, Dylan Deehan Kavanagh, Tadhg Maher, Isaac Ryan, Leon Nolan. Subs: Niall Clerkin, Jake Lynch, Aydan Kelly, Oisin Guilfoyle, Cian Judge. Teacher: Jason Kiernan.
POBALSCOIL GHAOTH DOBHAIR: Lorcan Mac Giolla Choill, Jamie Ó Gallchóir, John Paul Ó Gallchóir, Seosamh Mac Pháidín, Tarlagh Mac Giolla Bhride, Tadhg Ó Baoill, Callum Ó Feiritear, Brian Mac Pháidín (captain), Micheal Mac Suibhne, Joey Ó Colla. Subs: Jack Mac Dubhghaill, Arran Ó Dochartaigh, James Ó Dochartaigh, Cian Ó hEifearnán, Taeghan Coyle. Teacher: Keith Ó Fearraigh.
REFEREE: Mark Irwin (Sligo).