Report – CDETB SCC Shelbourne Cup Final – 27th April, 2016

SHELBOURNE CUP FINAL by Louise Browne

LARKIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE 3

YOUTHREACH BALLYFERMOT 2

LARKIN COMMUNITY COLLEGE scored three second half goals to beat Youthreach Ballyfermot 3-2 in dramatic fashion in a highly competitive Shelbourne Cup final at the CDETB SCC Sports Grounds in Terenure.

Larkin’s substitiute Dylan Dolan was the hero when he headed home Mark Mooney’s corner with five minutes left on the clock to win the cup for the north inner city school.

Dolan’s brace of goals, one either side of their captain Mark Mooney’s penalty, completed a remarkable comeback much to the delight of the players and Larkin’s coach Nigel Delaney.

Larkin had trailed Youthreach Ballyfermot 2-0 midway through the second half before Dolan’s first goal cut the deficit after he found the net from close range. Larkin’s Dylan Kelly was then fouled inside the penalty box, Mooney stepped up to equalise from the spot.

Both sides had numerous chances in front of goal throughout the final.  In defence Larkin’s Dean Kearney and Callum McGovern, Youthreach’s Keith O’Shea and Jamie Wade alongside goalkeepers Larkin’s Ryan Cosgrove and Adam Courtney of Youthreach put in solid displays.

Youthreach had the first real clear cut chance in the tenth minute when Conor Deferreria lost his marker only to see his goal bound shot cleared off the line by Larkin’s Jonathan Anene.

Deferreria then turned provider when his free kick set up Keith O’Shea but the Youthreach defender’s header was saved by Cosgrove. The Larkin keeper was called upon minutes later when he saved Alex Murphy’s effort.

With half time approaching Deferreria was fouled inside the area. The striker picked himself up before rattling the net to give the Ballyfermot side a 1-0 lead at the break.

Youthreach should have doubled there lead shortly after the restart but Murphy’s shot hit the bar.

Within two minutes Youthreach had doubled their advantage when Shane Quinn was quickest to react to Deferreria’s strike, despite Larkin’s keeper Ryan Cosgrove getting a hand to it.

Deferreria had a great opportunity to score his second of the day and give Youthreach a 3-1 lead but the striker blasted over from inside the box. Moments later Mooney’s penalty drew Larkin level.

Larkin’s Ger Black and Dolan had some good goal scoring opportunities for Larkin but were denied with super saves from Courtney before Dolan’s late goal handed Larkin the Shelbourne Cup.

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