Year 10 Football Shield Final
St Benedict’s College 6-09 St Patrick’s Lisburn 4-05
St Benedict’s produced a clinical attacking display to claim the Year 10 Antrim Cup Shield title after an entertaining 6-09 to 4-05 victory over St Patrick’s Academy Lisburn in the opening final of the day.
St Patrick’s settled quickest and opened the scoring through Oliver Campbell, whose early point gave the Lisburn school confidence. St Benedict’s responded with a free from Cadhan Mulvenna before St Pat’s struck a major blow when Shea Carson fired home their first goal of the afternoon. The Lisburn side continued to press and extended their advantage when full forward Jack McGowan found the net for a second goal.
Despite the early setback, St Benedict’s gradually grew into the contest. Iarlaith McCann converted a free before a surging run from centre half-back James Og Letters ended with the defender being dragged down in the square. Cadhan Mulvenna calmly converted the resulting penalty to reignite his side.
That goal sparked St Benedict’s into life. Rory Martin then reacted quickest to a high delivery into the square, turning sharply before burying the ball into the net. Moments later Oisin Neeson produced one of the scores of the game, embarking on a brilliant solo run that saw him evade several defenders before rifling a low finish to the back of the net.
St Benedict’s attacking play continued to flourish as James Og Letters once again drove his team forward from deep, picking out Rory Martin who combined well before Oisin Neeson finished another excellent move. Further points from Rory Martin and Corey Carroll helped maintain momentum, while St Pat’s kept themselves in touch through scores from Jacob McKernan and Oliver Campbell.
At half-time, St Benedict’s held a commanding 4-04 to 2-02 lead.
The Randalstown school resumed strongly after the break with Corey Carroll adding two points, including a free. However, St Patrick’s refused to surrender and reduced the deficit when Jack McGowan pointed before Oliver Campbell netted a superb goal after excellent build-up play from Shea Carson.
With the Lisburn side threatening a comeback, St Benedict’s responded in emphatic fashion. A dangerous high ball into the square caused havoc in the St Pat’s defence and Cadhan Mulvenna reacted brilliantly to punch the ball to the net, restoring breathing space for his side.
Christopher Mullan and Conor McGhee added points for St Patrick’s, while Corey Carroll and Rory Martin continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over for St Benedict’s. Shea Carson grabbed another St Pat’s goal late on to ensure a tense finish, but St Benedict’s held firm to close out an impressive victory.
There were outstanding performances throughout the field for the winners. Captain Ciaran Redmond, James Og Letters and Iarlaith McCann led by example, dominating kickouts, winning breaking ball and launching attacks from deep. In attack, Corey Carroll, Rory Martin, Oisin Neeson and Cadhan Mulvenna caused constant problems with their movement and finishing ability.
St Patrick’s also produced several strong displays. Goalkeeper Nickolas Koski impressed with his kickouts and made three superb one-on-one saves to keep his side in contention. Jack McGowan, Shea Carson and Oliver Campbell were a constant attacking threat, while defenders Cayden Cacace and Jack Sharp, alongside midfielder Euan Duffy, worked tirelessly throughout the contest.
In the end, St Benedict’s deserved their victory thanks to their clinical finishing, though St Patrick’s Academy can take plenty of pride from a spirited display that pushed the eventual champions all the way.
Final Score: St Benedict’s 6-09 St Patrick’s Academy Lisburn 4-05
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