Cool Heads and Cole’s head gives St Mac Dara’s U17 Metro glory
St Mac Dara’s 2-1 Colaiste Padraig
It was a victory built on hard work, determination and classy defending against recently crowned All Ireland champions. Boasting a proud record of 12 wins from 12 this year Colaiste Padraig went into this game as favorites. But this was far from a smash and grab. MacDaras were composed on the ball and dominated possession limiting their opponents to very few clear chances.
MacDaras always looked dangerous with Aran Murray stretching the opponents defence right from the start. Daire, Cole and Josh worked hard in the middle of the park against some top quality players, trying to play forward when they could. It was eventually a long ball up to Murray that created the break through. He chased down what looked like a lost cause, won the ball and cut inside the box finishing expertly past the keeper.
MacDaras failed to extend their lead and the opposition grew into the game. It was always going to take something special to break down the back four of Mooney, Rafferty, Sweeney and Murphy and so it proved.
Adam Wells equalised 5 mins before the break with a breathtaking strike. He picked the ball up 30 yards out and hit an unstoppable strike past Clarke in the MacDaras goal.
But that was as good as it got for them. Apart from a few counter attacks down their right. The pacy winger caused some problems early in the game but David Mooney got to grips with him showing great experience for such a young player.
As the game entered the last 10 minutes it looked like extra time was on the cards. When MacDaras missed 3 guilt edged chances from Mooney, Murray and Deverauax, it looked like it wasn’t to be. But the players didn’t panic and when David Kane whipped a great cross into the box with 2 minutes to go Cole wasn’t to be denied. He rose highest to head the ball past the excellent CP Lucan keeper to jubilant scenes.
An excellent achievement for a team who still have a Leinster final to look forward to.