Mervue Utd 1

College Corinthians 2

By Terry Flaherty at Eamonn Deacy Park

There was to be no national cup celebrations for Mervue United last Sunday as Cork side College Corinthians struck for an extra time winner at Eamonn Deacy Park to claim the FAI Youth Cup title.

It was an historic first win in the competition for the Cork side, and a very fruitful few weeks for the club as they had already captured the FAI Intermediate Cup just a couple of weeks ago for a memorable double of national titles.

It was winger Kai O’Neill who proved to be their match winner as he finished expertly for both goals to claim the FAI Man of the Match award and break Mervue hearts after a very tight game with only a kick of ball between the two sides.

College Corinthians were also exacting revenge on Mervue Utd as these two squads met five years ago in the FAI U-13 Troy Cup final, where the Galway side came out on top with a 4-1 win at Turners Cross back in 2020.

The Cork side came into the game unbeaten, with league and cup trophies already claimed, and they started the livelier and within four minutes a driving run by Joe Mouret released Ty Corcoran into the box but his cross evaded everybody as the Mervue goal survived.

Two minutes later O’Neill got his first sight on goal but his strike was well held by Jason Daly but Mervue – who came into the game on the back of capturing the Bernard Concar Premier Division only three days prior with a late 3-2 away win over Moyne Villa – responded, forcing a number of corners and from the second of these Jack Kelly saw his close range effort deflected over the crossbar.

The opening half was keenly contested and both sides were full of endeavour, and another O’Neill run created an opportunity for striker Padraig McGrath as his quick turn past the Mervue defence saw him shoot straight at Jason Daly.

At the other end, Dawit Dems was denied as his shot was deflected away for another Mervue corner; while McGrath once again got free of the Mervue rearguard, but his effort was tame and Daly gathered comfortably once again.

Pictured: The Mervue United team which was defeated 2-1 after extra time in the final of the FAI Youth Cup Final at Eamonn Deacy Park last Sunday. Back row, from left: Jack Kelly, Jason Daly, Atsonde Siakam, Cillian Faherty, Seán Nnadi, and Dawit Dems. Front: Lee Traynor-Curley, David Kilraine, Christian Ryan (captain), Fergal Takaza, and Mark Leahy. Photo: Iain McDonald.