St. Flannan's College, Ennis capture National soccer title
FAI Schools First Year Boys National Cup final: St. Flannan's College, Ennis 3-2 Scoil Dara, Kilcock (Ben Lyne, '10, '13, Jack Wren '42)
The curtain came down on the 2024/25 FAI Schools Post-Primary Schools National Cup campaign with St. Flannan's College, Ennis defeating Scoil Dara of Kilcock in a compelling decider at Athlone Town AFC on Monday afternoon.
It had the all the makings of a pulsating tie with both teams featuring goal-scoring prowess with Ben Lyne netting all three goals in their 3-2 victory over St. Jarlath's College, Tuam in their semi-final outing while Jack Wren netted four of his schools five goals in their magnificent 5-2 display against Scoil Mhuire, Buncrana at the other end of the draw.
Ben Lyne had a few chances early on to open his account but both opportunities were wide of the target but it was third time lucky as Cian O'Dwyer's free kick was delivered with precision to Lyne on the edge of the box, his quick feet and majestic turns saw him turn over three defenders before he slotted the ball past Davin Quinn at the far post. 1-0 to St. Flannan's in the tenth minute.
Ben Lyne netted a second minutes later when Seadna Ryan's long ball forward wasn't dealt with by the Kilcock defence as Lyne ran onto the loose ball, his pace saw him one on one with Quinn as he released a neat finish just as the keeper was diving down to smother the effort, the ball rolling underneath him and in!
The Ennis side took this two goal cushion into the break.
Seadna Ryan had a beautiful curling effort drift wide of the far post six minutes into the restart as Davin Quinn denied Lyne's original effort with the rebound falling nicely to Ryan but it was inches off the woodwork.
Jack Wren got his team back in contention half-way through the second period when he rifled off a shot from 20 yards out, it was too hot to handle as O'Connor lost grip of the intercept with the ball rolling into the bottom corner.
Ben Lyne could have secured his hat-trick seven minute from time but his looping effort just drifted over Quinn's upright.
Equally, Scoil Dara could have drawn level seconds later as substitute Ryan Tracey forced an excellent save from Ennis shot-stopper O'Connor at the other end.
The Kilcock crew never gave up and had two quick fire corners in the last three minutes of the game but Graham O'Connor was superb to deny Scoil Dara an equaliser.
Both teams impressed throughout the park as St. Flannan's managed the game out in the final quarter.
With this win, St. Flannan's College have the opportunity to represent FAI Schools at the SAFIB Allen McKinstry Cup in May 2026 as Northern Ireland play host.
Last year's National Cup Champions, St. Gerald's College, Castlebar came fourth in last week's tournament in Newcastle with Thomas Telford School in England winning the three day event.
No doubt there is more to come from this young team as they merited their place alongside Scoil Dara in this season's Cup tie finale.
The Ennis school are back to winning ways having served nearly a twenty year hiatus since their last National title. The Ennis girls have a fabulous Cup campaign capturing a First Year Girls National trophy back in 2007.
The same crew went on to win the Minor Girls Cup crown the following season, 2008. Is this something that the boys could replicate in 2026? Time will tell.
ST. FLANNAN'S COLLEGE, ENNIS: Graham O'Connor, Michael O'Leary, Oran Biswas, Cian O'Dwyer, Erik Bejenarin ©, Seadna Ryan, Bob Casey, Oscar Deegan, Ben Lyne, Daire Cullinan Alex Malone
Subs: Tadhg Moloney, Jack Barrett, Donncha Ryan, Sean Daly, Eoin McInearty, Tommy Malone, Iker Zambarno Sicard.
SCOIL DARA, KILCOCK: Davin Quinn, Kealan Gibson, Jamie Craig, Rapolas Tamulis ©, James McElligott, Ewan Calderwood, Adam Dunne, Ryan Connolly, Jack Wren, Giancarlo Di Mauro, Zaki Abdollah
Subs: Adrian Bartczak, Ryan Treacy, Matthew Attoe, Oran O'Neill, James O'Neill, Moses Dacosta, Will Doherty
Referee: Damien Conlon (Westmeath)
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