Shamrock Rovers U15s spot-on in National League Cup final
SHAMROCK Rovers took the first step on completing a league and cup double by securing the U15 National League Michael Hayes Cup in Athlone last Saturday (November 12).
It took extra-time to separate the sides but the Tallaght side came out tops with Ireland international Ike Orazi slotting home a penalty to see his side win 3-2 at the expense of Cork City.
Arguably the best two teams in the country, the Hoops are hoping to complete a double this Sunday as they do battle again with the same opposition in Roadstone.
“We are hoping to repeat last weekend’s result, that’s the aim,” said Shamrock Rovers manager Jason Shields.
“Cork are an excellent side, we saw that last weekend. They will be hungry to get a result this weekend and we will have our work cut out.
“We got straight back into training this week and refocused the lads after the win on Saturday,” he added.
Shamrock Rovers under 15s players and coaches with the Cup
Matthew Moore gave Cork the lead but they were soon pegged back after Ryan Ritchie got the equaliser for Rovers.
The game was played over 3 x 30 minutes and Kian Dignam slotted home for Rovers very early into the second period to give the Hoops a
2-1 lead.
Rovers led for much of the game but Matthew Murray got the equaliser for City to make it 2-2 in the second period of thirty minutes.
It remained all square up to the end of the third 30-minute spell and two periods of 10 minutes extra time had to be played to decide the destination of the title.
The deciding score arrived when the Cork goalkeeper took Christian Donlon Goncalves down in the box which resulted in a penalty and Ike Orazi slotted home in what turned out to be the winner.
“It was a good result for us. We played good at different stages in the match, but we know we need to raise our game this weekend.
“The players stepped up a gear when it was needed and we didn’t panic when we went a goal down,” said Shamrock Rovers manager Jason Shields.
The side is captained by James Roche, who is the son of Shamrock Rovers official Jonathan Roche.
