Cork Youth League into FAI final after brilliant second half against Donegal

Donegal Youth League 1 Cork Youth League 4

The Cork Youth League are through to the FAI Inter-League final after they beat Donegal Youth League in the semi-finals at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown, Dublin.

Donegal were one up at half-time courtesy of a Cormac Dunleavy headed effort.

However, the Cork boys equalised in the 50th minute through Ben Fitzgerald and led in the 60th minute when Liam Lynch scored a fine solo effort. Sub Rian Thornhill grabbed two late goals to send them into the final against the Dublin and District League in a few weeks.

After a slow start to the game, Cork took control with their midfield of Ronan Murray, Ben Fitzgerald and Craig Nolan dictating the pace of the game. The boys in red were getting joy out wide with Mathew Kiernan and James Grayem getting crosses into the box but Donegal goalkeeper Luke Doherty showed exceptional handling. 

Striker JJ Foley was unlucky not to score on a couple of occasions before they were caught on the break in the 35th minute. A long ball over the top caused panic in the Cork defence and after the initial shot was well saved by Cork keeper Cillian Beale O’Shaughnessy, forward Cormac Dunleavy was quickest to react to head home. 

Cork had another few chances before half-time but were unable to find the back of the net and went in behind.

The second half started with Cork dominating possession again and when Foley was put through on goal five minutes after the restart, his shot was well saved by Doherty in the Donegal goal but Fitzgerald slotted home the rebound to level. 

Cork went 2-1 up 10 minutes later when Liam Lynch scored a fantastic solo goal, beating three players. 

Cian O’Flynn then saw his powerful effort expertly saved by the Donegal keeper soon after but Cork were in complete control now. 

When Rian Thornhill ran onto a great pass from Murray in the 88th minute, he rounded the goalkeeper to score to put Cork 3-1 in front. Thornhill scored his second a few minutes later, blasting home from an O’Flynn cross to give Cork a thoroughly deserved win.

"I am delighted for the boys that they have reached the FAI Inter-League final as they have worked so hard since we got together,” manager Conor Murray said.

“They are a fantastic group of kids, they mix really well and continue to support each other in every game and every training session.

“I think the scoreline was a fair reflection of the game. We didn't deserve to be down at the break but the dressing was very calm at half-time. We knew chances would come our way and we were confident we would take them.

“Like the Munster final, our strength in depth told and as the game opened up, we were able to take advantage of the space in behind our opponents.

DONEGAL YOUTH LEAGUE: Luke Doherty, Oisin Feeney, Alex McDevitt, James Tinney, Harry Doherty, Johnny McAteer, Fionn Chernick, Ciaran Connaghan, Shea Cannon, Joey O’Colla, Cormac Dunleavy.

Subs: Shay Gibbons for Tinney (ht), Tiernan French for Chernick (54), Aaron Kerr for McAteer (57), Conor McLaughlin for Cannon (69), Christopher McBride for Dunleavy (81).

CORK YOUTH LEAGUE: Cillian Beale-O’Shaughnessy, Dara Birdthistle, Liam Lynch, Scott Busteed, Max Murphy, Ronan Murray, James Grayem, Ben Fitzgerald, JJ Foley, Craig Nolan, Mathew Kiernan.

Subs: Rian Thornhill for Fitzgerald (68), Cian O’Flynn for Nolan (72), Warren O’Mahony for Foley (72), Darragh Sheehan for Kiernan (84), Cian O’Callaghan for Grayem (88).

Referee: Paul Farrell ( Dublin).

Assistant Referees: Jamie Purcell, Eoin Fagan ( Dublin)