Drama all the way as Duleek prevail in shootout

NERL FINALS Parkvilla denied by Trufanov's heroics

This u-12 Elrich Paulo Caputo Cup final at the MDL on Saturday turned out to be a gripping showdown that kept giving and giving. It was a contest that had as much drama as the average Harry Potter thriller, full of twists and turns with the outcome only decided after a penalty shootout.

Is a shootout the fairest way to decide a final? Of course it isn't, but it was the only way these two teams could be separated.

In the penalty fest one of Duleek's heroes was goalkeeper Serg Trufanov. He saved not one, not two, but THREE spot-kicks. He dived cat-like to save the shots that were bravely taken by the Parkvilla players.

Those saves - added to converted penalties tucked away with all the nerveless calm of seasoned campaigners by Miguel Hernandez, James Burke, Shane Woods and Aaron Boaitey - ensured it was Duleek who went home with the trophy.

Twice Duleek led in this this topsy-turvy encounter. Just six minutes into the second-half of normal time, and against a strong breeze, they made the breakthrough.

Trufanov launched the ball downfield, Lennon King swing over a cross and Kyle Finnegan found the net with a powerful shot. It stayed 1-0 until 'Villa defender Liam Suarez scored a spectacular goal from inside his own half. He launched the ball downfield, and wind assisted, it ended up in the back of the net. All square at full time.

Again Duleek took the lead in extra-time when Hernandez netted from close range. Again the tenacious 'Villa side conjured up an equaliser. This time Fionn Brereton drilled the ball to the net from a free.

The skilful Finnegan, who made a series of mazy runs, King, Hernandez, Bodhan Iskaiandarov and Ruairi Walsh were just some of the Duleek players who went close during the course of this gripping decider. Adam Proctor, Brereton and Jamie Garnett were among those to threaten for an enterprising 'Villa side.

The two Parkvilla goalkeepers who played at various stages - Feidhlim Nulty and Tadgh Coogan - both executed brave, outstanding saves. Trufanov also made a collection of agile stops before he performed heroics in that shoot-out with his saves. The kind of saves Caoimhin Kelleher himself would be proud to make.

Duleek FC - Serg Trufanov; Lennon King, Harry Smyth, James Burke, Shane Woods, Ruairi Walsh, Kyle Finnegan, Charlie Reid, Miguel Hernandez, Aaron Boaitey, Bohdan Iskianrov, Sam Hunt, Daniel O'Connor, Dylan Noone, Ryan O'Leary. Mentors - Colin Woods, Graham King, Keith Smyth.

Parkvilla - Feidhlim Nulty; Ion Isscu, Liam Suarez, Senan Black, Adam Murtagh, Ryan Bennett, Rhys Peredissat, Jamie Garnett, Fionn Brereton, Adam Proctor, Charlie Brennan, Tadgh Coogan. Mentors - David Gavin, Adam Proctor.

Referee - Aidan Byrne; assistants - Conor Flaherty, Derek Hegarty.