04-05-2025
College Corinthians overcome Mervue United after extra time to land FAI Youth Cup
College Corinthians 2 Mervue United 1 (after extra time)
College Corinthians lifted their first ever FAI Youth Cup as they defeated Mervue United after extra time at Eamonn Deacy Park on Sunday.
Kai O'Neill proved to be the hero as he struck a brilliant winner in the additional period of play needed after Dawith Dems Woldemariam cancelled out his earlier finish in normal time.
O'Neill opened the scoring in the final in the 43rd minute when he raced onto Ty Corcoran's precise through ball before clipping it past the keeper and into the back of the net with the help of the post.
Dawit Dems Woldemariam of Mervue United celebrates after scoring his side's first goal during the FAI Youth Cup final match between Mervue United and College Corinthians at Eamonn Deacy Park in Galway. Photo by Tyler Miller/Sportsfile
Corinthians defended resolutely but their resolve was broken with just seven minutes remaining as Dawith Dems Woldemariam collected Darragh King's pass and blasted it home.
But the men from Cork weren't to be denied a maiden triumph in this competition as O'Neill produced his second stunning finish of the afternoon in the first period of extra time to land his club the silverware.
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MERVUE UNITED: Jason Daly, Lee Traynor Curley (Houssein Kassem Tlaiss 94), Atson De Siakam (Jake Cunningham 53), Christian Ryan, Cillian Faherty, David Kilraine, Fergal Takaza (Darragh King 79), Jack Kelly, Sean Nnadi, Dawit Dems Woldemariam, Mark Leahy (Joey Cunningham 75).
COLLEGE CORINTHIANS: Raymond Foley Kiss, Daniel Mellerick (Jayden Adair Bell 55), Billy Higgins, Connor Gardiner, Samuel Dow, Keelan Crowe, Ty Corcoran (Shane Fielding 76), Dylan O'Sullivan (Conor Redmond 102), Padraig McGrath, Joseph Mouret (Harry Jeffers 83), Kai O'Neill (James O'Sullivan 106).
Referee: Ruben Collins (Wicklow).
