Kilnamanagh edge through to Leinster Youths Cup Final
By Stephen Leonard
KILNAMANAGH AFC saw their Under 18 team book their place in the final of the Leinster Youth Cup after clinching a 1-0 victory over Tullamore in extra time on Saturday in Pearse Park.
It was Ryan O’Connor who accounted for the decisive goal, tucking away a penalty that was won after Ronan Smith was fouled in the box.
Kilnamanagh could well have had this game wrapped up in normal time, but a combination of fine goalkeeping and wayward shooting meant they were taken almost right to the wire.
Indeed Adam Brophy was twice denied by the Tullamore netminder while Ryan Tate saw his attempt travel fractionally too high.
READ:The Echo Sports Star and Team of the Month for March announced
Still they did enough to progress through to the decider where they will face off against Hardwick Celtic.
The team, which was recently beaten on penalties by Home Farm in the semi final of the Ferrari Cup, is still on course for a possible double this season given that they remain in the hunt for the Under 18 Super League title also.
It is a great achievement for the team which was effectively rebuilt this season by managers Paul Murray and Gerry McGovern after they had lost no less than 12 players to the Airtricity Under 19 League during the summer.
