Corinthian Boys 2 St Mary’s 1

CORINTHIAN BOYS created history at Turner’s Cross last night when they defeated St Mary’s to win the U15 SFAI Skechers National Cup in the biggest schoolboys final ever to be staged in Cork.

The underage showcase was a significant milestone not only for Corinthian Boys but also for the Cork Schoolboys League and football in general in Cork.

For the first time in the history of the National Cup, two Cork teams made it to the final, and Turner’s Cross was the perfect venue to host such a landmark occasion with over 2,000 supporters in attendance.

In the 65-year history of the Evans Cup, only Tower Rovers in 1958 and Wembley in 1964 managed to bring the trophy back to Cork, and for Corinthians to bridge a 53-year cup gap is historic in its own right and an extraordinary achievement for the players.

This team managed to do what a host of Corinthians sides couldn’t do in the past. On six occasions, Corinthians made it to the final of the competition but ultimately fell at the last hurdle, and such teams included the likes of David Meyler, Brian Lenihan, Eoghan O’Connell and current U17 Republic of Ireland international Adam Idah.

On Wednesday, it was a case of third time lucky for Corinthian Boys as the youngsters finally secured the national crown after finishing as runners-up in the competition over the past two years.

St Mary’s grew in strength, and in belief, as the competition progressed; using their tag as underdogs to their advantage to set up a final with Corinthian Boys and their run to the final was a considerable achievement. In the final, despite Mary’s doggedness and unremitting work ethic, it simply wasn’t to be their year.

 Destiny Okonkwo prodded home just a few yards out to put Corinthians ahead early before James O’Leary’s set piece levelled it at 1-1.

A penalty from captain Matthew Healy proved to be the match-winner in the second-half.

CORINTHIAN BOYS: Anthony Miguel Archeta, Kyle Donovan, Alex Hill, Eoin Redmond, Jason Riordan, Daniel Meade, Jack O’Brien, Matthew Healy (c), Robert Geaney-O’Brien, Destiny Okonkwo, Jack Leonard. 

Subs: George Coomber, Mark Redmond, Michael Nason, Shane Cotter, David Welch, Cian O’Leary, Sean Cantillon.

ST MARY’S: Sean Dennehy, Sean Thomas, Kevin O’Dea, Colm Murphy (c), Tadhg O’Donoghue, Neil Cunningham, Ronan Murphy, Pierce Cummins, Conor Docherty, Jamie O’Driscoll, James O’Leary. 

Subs: Ryan O’Gorman, Cillian O’Leary, Jordan Waters, Eric Goggin, Jacob Hurley, Josh Barry, Josh Roberts, Robert Feagan, Ryan O’Connor.

Referee & Assistants: Craig Noonan, Kieran Burns, Ryan Conway, Chris Sheehan.