Joe Miskella and David Dunne fire Cork to glory against Dublin

Cork 3 DDSL 1 

CORK ran out worthy winners 3-1 in the SFAI U13 Inter League on Saturday at Cahir Park against the DDSL with two goals from Joe Miskella and another from David Dunne.

En route to the final, Cork defeated Limerick (1-0) and Galway (4-1) having previously topped Group 1 in the Munster section at the expense of West Cork A, Clare A and South Tipperary. Cork managed to win the group with an impressive 17 goals scored and none conceded. The youngsters defeated Limerick in the Munster final along the way too.

The Leesiders took the lead within two minutes thanks to Joe Miskella’s neat finish from just inside the six-yard box. Excellent build-up play from teammates Morgan Kelleher and David Dunne led to the opening goal of the game.

The CSL outfit doubled their lead on the quarter of the hour mark. Kelleher again advanced from the centre of defence culminating in a magnificent through ball to the cleverly positioned Dunne. The Cork striker controlled the ball before finding the net with an unstoppable effort.

It got better for Cork on 25 minutes. The CSL side were awarded a free-kick just outside the area and Miskella expertly struck the 30-yard set-piece directly to the back of the net.

Cork went in at halftime three goals up thanks to a flawless first-half performance. Goalkeeper Nathan Tate linked well with the back four of David Nolan, Ben Dummigan, Jamie O’Brien and Kelleher; and Jimmy O’Donavan impressed in the number six role. 

Miskella excelled in more of an advanced position with Fionnán Wrixon on hand to link up with the first-rate attacking trio of Ryan O’Leary, Rory Fitzgerald and Dunne.

The DDSL hit back on 40 minutes via a quick counterattack and close-range finish but Lewis O’Dea came on soon after to give Cork added energy throughout the latter stages of the final.

The game ended 3-1 in favour of Cork and captain Ben Dumigan lifted the prestigious ‘Liam Miller Cup’ alongside injured teammate Tom McGrath to the delight of their fellow players and managers.

Cork manager Paul O’Brien praised the players: “To bring the Liam Miller Cup back to Cork is especially pleasing and the players deserved to win the competition. 

"Their attitude throughout the entire campaign has been second to none and the group always stepped up to the challenge in front of them.”

“I would like to thank Pat Looney, Eoin Maguire and Brian Dinan for all their hard work and also Stephen O’Mahoney, Alan Bennett and Kieran O’Reilly for their support through the Centre of Excellence.

“The players know what it takes to win cup competitions and the focus next year will be to retain the Kennedy Cup for Cork.” 

Of course, Cork City and Cobh Ramblers will no doubt look to recruit a number of these gifted young players for their U14 League of Ireland squads next season.

Cork U13 Squad: 

Nathan Tate, David Nolan, Ben Dummigan, Jamie O’Brien, Morgan Kelleher, Jimmy O’Donovan, Joe Miskella, Fionnán Wrixon, Ryan O’Leary, Rory Fitzgerald, David Dunne, Darragh O’Flaherty, Liam O’Regan, Patrick O’Sullivan, Jack Mills, Lewis O’Dea, Berkley Arrey, Abrahim Erhabor, Tom McGrath.