Max Murphy fires Cork Youth League to FAI glory against Dublin at St Colman's Park

Cork Youth League 1 Dublin District and Schoolboys League 0 

The Cork Youth League retained the FAI Inter-League title at a very wet St Colman’s Park on Saturday.

Max Murphy was the hero of the day, as his bullet header in the second half flew into the roof of the net. That was enough to keep the title back to Leeside for the second year in a row against a very good Dublin side.

Make no mistake, this was a great achievement by the Cork management and squad as they had very little preparation before the competition started.

After a scoreless first half where both sides showed plenty of endeavour in front of goal, however, Cork keeper Zac Lynch-Healy and his defenders Scott Busteed and Max Murphy, Dara Birdthistle and Liam Lynch were all superb to keep the Dublin side at bay.

Cork took the lead in the 69th minute, Ben Fitzgerald swung in a dangerous corner and it was met by his Midleton teammate Max Murphy, who headed the ball into the roof of the Dublin net to spark ecstatic scenes from the large attendance. 

In fairness to the Dublin side, they threw the kitchen sink at Cork but their defence did a magnificent job to see out the game. 

It was a very proud day for the Cork manager Conor Murray. 

“We are thrilled with the win. I said beforehand there would only be a kick of a ball between the teams and as it turns out, it was only a head of a ball that was the difference.

“Our coaching team of Cian, Shane and Don have shown their qualities throughout this competition, but this is all about the kids, the coaches are delighted they achieved what they set out to do last October.

“I said when we started out that if we were to be successful then a huge amount of the credit should go to the club coaches of these kids. This win is as much theirs as it ours.

“The Cork Youth League are extremely proud of this group and we are all delighted that the trophy gets to stay on Leeside for another 12 months."

Cork captain Mathew Kiernan was equally delighted to win the title and was quick to praise everyone involved.

“It was a typical cup final with very little between the teams, and we’re just glad to have gotten the win.

“The weather definitely had an impact on the game and it was hard to play good football, but we worked hard as a team and we knew that if we kept it tight and stayed compact, we’d get a chance or two and luckily that’s how it played out, with Max getting a great header.

“We’ve all worked really hard over the past few months, the whole squad, and it’s great to have something to show for it.

“This was a squad effort, not just the 11 who were lucky to start today, but throughout the campaign. I’d also like to thank our coaches Conor, Don, Cian and Shane for all the time and effort they put into us. This win is as much theirs as ours."

CORK YOUTH LEAGUE: Zac Lynch-Healy, Dara Birdthistle, Liam Lynch, Scott Busteed, Max Murphy, Ronan Murray, James Grayem, Ben Fitzgerald, JJ Foley, Craig Nolan, Mathew Kiernan.

Subs: Rian Thornhill for Grayem (h-t), Cian O’Flynn for Foley (73), Darragh Sheehan for Nolan (80), Warren O’Mahony for Kiernan (83).

DDDL: Darragh Rayner, Senan Finn, Fionan White, Rudy Kelly, Samuel Kelly, Blake Robinson-Horgan, Keelan Walsh, Jonathon Ayoola, Desmond Kroman, Corey Kelly, Harry Callaghan.

Subs: Jake Fulton for White (ht), Brian Okanume for S Kelly (71), Ross Cullen for Callaghan (74), Jack Moore for C Kelly (80), Austin Hannon for Walsh).

Referee: Jay Ryan-O’Loughlin.

Assistant referees: Oisin Walsh, Eoghan McAuliffe.