De La Salle, Wicklow beat Scoil Mhuire Buncrana 8-7 on penalties in their 99th and final year to claim the FAI Schools Junior Cup at Oriel Park yesterday after the game had finished scoreless.
Ahead of a merger with their local VEC school neighbours in the summer, De La Salle were determined to go out on a high
Substitute Cian Verney dispatched the winning spot kick at the end of a nail-biting afternoon of action.
Another late introduction, Luke Byrne, could have sealed the win in extra time, but rushed an effort wide.
John Crowe and Peter McLaughlin traded a rare chance for each side in the opening half, before De La Salle went close first again after the break when Karl Earls blasted wide in the area.
Ryan Curren threated with a chance for Scoil Mhuire in the final stages of normal time, but the contest was destined for penalties and ‘keeper Andrew Murphy’s crucial save gave Verney his chance of glory.
DE LA SALLE — A Murphy; L Earls, J Crowe, B Doyle, K Earls, N Fagan (C Verney 64), S Bouchier (L Byrne 84), A Cox, M O’Sullivan, J Kavanagh, D Orr.
SCOIL MHUIRE — H Doherty; B Barber, R Doherty, P Doherty, B Waldron, R Curren, R Varma, D O’Connor, P McLaughlin, M Timlin, D Doherty.
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