Drimnagh Castle capture FAI Schools U17 Cup to complete a great treble

DRIMNAGH Castle secondary school captured the FAI Schools U17 Cup to add to the Dublin & South Dublin titles won earlier in the year.

It is the second time in six years that The Castle have done the treble at U17 grade.

The last team time saw players like Gavin Molly, Brandon Kavanagh and Ryan Burke go on to greater things in the League of Ireland.

This current crop are equally talented and had to overcome excellent opposition in the likes of Moyle Park, Coláíste Choilm and MacDara’s Community College.

They faced the reigning champions St Mary’s CBS Enniscorthy in the decider with the Castle getting off to a great start but couldn’t convert their chances.

After 20 minutes Alex Fallon played a sublime ball over the Enniscorthy defense to Daragh Emmett, whose looping shot over the keeper found the back of the net beautifully, only to be harshly ruled out for offside.

Despite dominating the early exchanges, Enniscorthy scored against the run of play when the Castle defence failed to deal with a corner.

A loose clearance fell to the Enniscorthy striker who finished brilliantly to give the Wexford school a 1-0 lead.

Minutes later, a dangerous cross from Ryan Kelly was headed clear, but only as far as Ben Rossiter who hit a vicious volley almost finding its way into the top corner, but the opposing goalkeeper was alert to the ambitious effort.

The attack wasn’t finished as Kildee-Doolan latched onto the ball, whipped in a low cross which eventually found Rhys Brennan who composed himself, nutmegged the oncoming defender and unleashed a deadly strike into the far right hand corner to get The Castle fans singing again.

Late in the first half St Mary’s won another corner which was whipped in with force finding the Wexford sides centre half who looked like he headed home, only to find it come off a castle players’ arm.

Enniscorthy were awarded a penalty and their number 9 slotted home to make it 2-1 going into halftime.

Enniscorthy dominated the first 20 minutes of the second half, but a strong performance from Kyle Murphy and Sam Keegan kept Drimnagh Castle in the game.

With 15 minutes to go captain Alex Fallon whipped in a stinging cross, which found a leaping Ben Rossiter who thumped home his header to draw level.

Drimnagh were on top of the game after the equalizer playing beautiful football with Rhys Brennan and Calum Bridgeman both coming close to getting the winner late on.

The game ended 2-2 with the game going into extra time.

A nervy extra time ended with both sides even as nothing could separate them.

The biggest game of the year would be decided by penalties and after St Mary’s hit the crossbar Jack Seery scored the 5th penalty for Drimnagh Castle to capture the Treble.