Douglas Hall lift first Munster U17 Cup after super keeper Noel Cantwell delivers in penalty shootout
Youth Soccer: The victorious Douglas Hall team and management team after they defeated Pike Rovers after a penalty shootout at Jackman Park.
Douglas Hall are the Munster FA U17 Cup champions after a pulsating game against Pike Rovers.
It was 2-2 but they eventually won 7-6 on penalties at Jackman Park in Limerick.
Goalkeeper Noel Cantwell was the hero for the Hall. He came up with the goods in the penalty shootout by making four big saves and also scored himself to help his side make history by landing the very first Munster FA U17 Cup.
The Hall were one down at the break after the Limerick side Pike took an early lead in the 13th minute through Dylan Browne after some superb work from Pierce Casey.
The Hall levelled the game when Macdarragh Lynch netted in the 70th minute when he turned in Shane Barrett’s superb pass.
They took the lead nine minutes later through substitute Vilson Sefolli after great work by Clayton Tait.
However, they were pegged back in injury time when Danny Quirke scored from a superb pass from Cathal Daly-McInererney to level late.
Both sides couldn’t be separated in the extra time period but the Hall kept their nerve in the penalty shootout to win the title 7-6.
Douglas Hall manager Mark Turner was a very happy man after the game.
He expressed how proud he is of the team. He also praised his backroom team of Brendan McCarthy and Donagh Keeshan, who have been at his side throughout the season.
"We are delighted to win the first Inaugural Munster FA U17 Cup in lovely conditions at Jackman Park,” Mark said.
"We started slowly and conceded early, however, we regrouped at halftime and scored two fine goals in the second half.
"To give Pike credit, they battled away and scored deep into injury time to level the game. The game was still level after extra time and after five penalties each it was 2-2.
"So in sudden death, our keeper Noel came up with a big save and then scored the 10th penalty to win the game for us.
“I would like to acknowledge the great work that both Brendan and Donagh do for the team, as without their assistance, both the players and myself wouldn’t have the success we had so far this season."
Douglas can add another two trophies this season as they play rivals Midleton in the semi-finals of the U17 Teddy Healy Cup and face the Magpies again in the final Daly Industrial Supplies U17 Premier League final game of the season at Moneygourney, where the winner will lift the title.
Ben Wallace, Aaron NcNamara, Pierce Casey, Cathal Daly-McInerney, Preston Humphries, Bryan Macbouana, Danny Quirke, Dylan Browne, Dylan Kett, Gustavo Araujo Dos Santos.
Sean Dunphy for Macbouana (49), Evan Byrne for Araujo Dos Santos (66), Rian Hanrahan-Stewart for Browne (84).
Noel Cantwell, Jack McCarthy, Darragh O’Flaherty, Mark Keeshan, Clayton Tait, Finn Doyle, Cillian Ross, John Dollard-Young, Tom Collins, Eoin McCarthy, Macdarragh Lynch.
Vilson Sefolli for J McCarthy (40), Shane Barrett for Dollard-Young (55), Luke Murray for Doyle (73), Kevin Healy for Ross (80).
Brian Punch.
Dariusz Mostowy, Gavin O’Donnell.
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