College Corinthians ease past Leeds into Gussie Walsh final after fiery clash and two red cards
MY BALL: James McCarthy, College Corinthians, battles Alex O'Sullivan, Leeds. Picture: Jim Coughlan.
College Corinthians beat Leeds in a very feisty Daly Industrial Supplies U17 Gussie Walsh semifinal at Castletreasure Saturday night and now Face Douglas Hall in the final in the coming weeks.
In a game that referee Damien Klier had to dish out 11 yellow (seven for Leeds and four for Corinthians) and two reds.
Leeds finished with nine after two players received second yellow cards. Both teams' discipline was poor as too many players questioned every decision from the very first whistle.
The home side took the lead in the 10th minute when Matthew O’Sullivan scored from close range.
They led 2-0 in the 24th minute when their captain Cormac Sheehan’s effort was deflected in.
Corinthians went three up in the 66th minute through James McCarthy and things got worse for Leeds, because in the space of six minutes, they were reduced to nine men.
They kept battling hard and got their reward when Euan Weighton reduced the deficit 3-1 but that was as good as it got for the Northside club.
Leeds made a bright start to the game with Cillian O’Callaghan stinging the hands of Corinthians keeper Alex Daly in the fourth minute.
They had another decent opportunity three minutes later after a clever free kick when Aaron Crowley dropped his shoulder to beat two defenders but Daniel Duhig saw his header sail over.
The home side went in front in the 10th minute when Matthew O’Sullivan was the first to react to a loose ball and he fired his effort past Jack Clancy in the Leeds goal.
The visitors came close to levelling the game five minutes later when Kaleb Mbouwoua-Alika danced his way into the Corinthians box, but it took a wonderful save from Daly to push his effort around the post.
Corinthians went two up in the 24th minute, Cormac Sheehan made a bursting run into the box and his powerful effort was deflected into the net.
Corinthians now had their tails up and it took a wonderful save from Clancy in the 41st minute to push Sean Flemming-Byrne’s effort over the bar.
Leeds made a bright start to the second half and when Euan Weighton floated in a dangerous free kick three minutes from the restart, Daly rushed off his line to claim the ball.
They had another opportunity in the 53rd minute when Duhig found a pocket of space outside the box, but Daly stood tall to make another smart save for Corinthians.
The hosts went 3-0 up in the 66th minute, Favour Igbinosun-Ehigie found James McCarthy with a lovely through ball and he made no mistake.
Then disaster struck in the 68th minute for Leeds. Johnny Chen was unlucky to pick up his second yellow card when he clipped the heel of a Corinthians player and was sent off. Six minutes later, Darragh Goldsmith was also given his marching orders when he received his second yellow card.
The Northside club were now facing an uphill battle, but they showed their fighting spirit when the impressive Weighton headed home an O’Callaghan cross.
In fairness to Leeds, they kept pushing forward but the home side defended well to manage the remainder of the game.
Alex Daly, Cormac Sheehan, Fionn Power, Ryan Dunne, Matthew O’Sullivan, Charlie O’Riordan, Sean Flemming-Byrne, Eli Murphy-McKeon, David Clarke-O’Mahony, Alex Morley, James McCarthy.
Kacper Perlas for Murphy-McKeon (43), Favour Igbinosun-Ehigie for O’Riordan (56), Chris Scully for Morley (74).
Jack Clancy, Alex O’Sullivan, Johnny Chen, Darragh Goldsmith, Adam Patterson, Aaron Crowley, Cillian O’Callaghan, Euan Weighton, Daniel Duhig, Josh Constant, Kaleb Mbouwoua-Alika.
Adam Sienicki for Duhig (54), Isaac Hayes for Constant (69), Craig Virgo for Mbouwoua-Alika (69).
Damien Klier.
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