Cup heartbreak for Boyne CS
SCHOOLS SOCCER Two teams fall short in bid for glory
Boyne CS Trim's first-year boys suffered a gut-wrenching 1-2 defeat in the North-East Schools Leinster Div 1 final against St Ciaran’s Community School, Kells, at Kentstown Village Astro.
The Trim school dominated for long stretches, but were undone by two late goals, with the winner for the Kells side coming one minute from full time.
Boyne took a deserved lead just before half-time through midfielder Luis Peppard, who showed excellent awareness to pounce on a rebound after a perfectly floated Charlie Morgan free kick from 35 yards was initially saved.
Boyne continue to control possession in the second-half, playing with composure and patience, but they struggled to find that second goal to put the game out of reach.
Against the run of play, disaster struck with nine minutes remaining. A Kells player met a cross-field ball first-time from 25 yards out, and the ball arched perfectly over goalkeeper Shane Rayfus and dipped into the top corner.
As extra time beckoned, Kells were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box. The ball was delivered towards the near post, where the number 10 managed to stretch a leg out and somehow divert it into the net for what proved to be the winner.
Boyne CS Trim - Shane Rayfus; Charlie Morgan, Tom McVann, Rian O’Driscoll, Alex Kearney, Luis Peppard, Conor Gray, Patryk Zwicrzynski, Harry Kearns, Frankie Gilsenan, Joshua Watson. Sub - Seb Flood, Colm Lennon, Billy Black, Caleb Harnett, Jayden Farrell, Tadgh Mahon, Daniel Smith.
FAI SCHOOLS MINOR BOYS LEINSTER CUP SEMI-FINAL
The Boyne CS Trim u-15s showed resilience and determination but couldn’t find the equaliser despite dominating the second half as they lost out 1-2 to a strong Moyle Park College, Clondalkin side in the FAI Schools Minor Boys Leinster Cup semi-final
Early injury setbacks saw Boyne lose George Golds and then his replacement and Moyle Park took control to lead 2-0 at the break.
However, Boyne refused to back down and came out strong after the break. They created numerous opportunities, with the attacking players constantly testing the opposition's defence.
The breakthrough came in the second half when Scott Williams rose highest to meet a corner and powered home a brilliant header to make it 1-2, setting up a tense finale.
Boyne threw everything forward in search of an equaliser, with Max Chambers, Ratson Dube, Finn McCormack, Ronan Murray, Liam Fagan and Luke Lynagh leading the charge, but despite their relentless pressure, the ball just wouldn’t find the net.
Boyne CS Trim - Shane Govern; George Golds, Conor Rispin, Scott Williams, Finn McCormack, Hugo Chambers, Ratson Dube, Conall O’Reilly, Liam Fagan, Luke Lynagh, Ronan Murray. Subs - Ben O’Donnell, Max Chambers, Oran Conneely, Charlie Kirwan, Zack Crawley, Gleb Gordiievskyi, Shane Rayfus.