St Joseph's aiming for more SFAI Cup glory

St Joseph’s FC are bidding for more success at national level as the club prepares to face Leeside Celtic in the Subway Under-16 SFAI Boys Cup final this Sunday, May 12.

Evergreen FC in Kilkenny is the venue for the final (kick-off 3pm) and excitement is building as the Athlone outfit prepares to take on their Cork opponents.

Last year, most of the same group of players helped the Monksland club to win the U-15 SFAI Cup, defeating Home Farm in the final on a 3-1 scoreline. On that occasion, the St Joseph’s goals were scored by Dylan Dennehy (penalty), Timothy Tselapedi and Leon Nolan.

The successful U-15 team was managed by Davy Cummins and Padraig Moran and they are still in charge of this group of players, who are now aiming to add their U-16 title to their list of achievements. Last year’s team was captained by Shay McGuinness and it’s a role now occupied by John Timlin with the current U-16 team.

St Joseph’s overcome Dublin outfit Belvedere 3-2 in their U16 Cup semi-final on home turf at Cushla Park recently.

The visitors started the match like a dog out of the traps and showed why they were in the final four of the country. Well worked play down the St Joseph’s left hand side saw the Belvedere attackers link up beautifully and they gracefully placed the ball into the far corner of the home net, much to the shock of the home supporters.

St Joseph’s didn’t panic and their experience in this competition came into play. Leon Nolan went close with his looped shot narrowly going over, but this was a sign of things to come. John Price, Felipe Sousa and Nolan were causing the Belvedere defence problems, while Dylan Dennehy, Abdul Adams, Ciarán Cummins and John Timlin were solid at the back.

The home side got their reward when Sousa equalised, slotting the ball to the net in a crowded penalty area. Two goals in the first ten minutes surely was a sign of an exciting cup match ahead, and indeed it proved an end to end affair.

Will Geraghty linked up well with his attackers while Sean Finneran and Darragh Riordan were solid in midfield. But neither team could add to their tally and the half-time whistle rang out with the teams all square at 1-1.

The second half started with both teams sharing the momentum but Sousa soon sent Cushla Park wild again. Geraghty broke through on goal and squared his shot across goal to find Sousa, who tapped the ball into an empty net. St Joseph’s were rewarded for their hard work and took the lead for the first time in this battle.

The crowd had just calmed down from the celebrations of Sousa’s second when Belvedere silenced the home fans. A call for offside from the home camp was waved away when the ball broke to a Belvedere attacker, who swiped the ball into the corner of Niall Ward’s net, making it 2-2.

Jossi Jose was introduced for Sousa midway through the second half and he injected pace on the wing alongside Price’s attacking ability. Jossi thought he got his name on the scoresheet but saw his shot rattling the frame of the goal and going over.

But this tie needed somebody to grab it by the throat and have their name written in the stars. Jossi Jose continued to cause trouble down the left hand side and this time he found himself in space and sent a perfectly timed cross into the danger zone of the Belvedere box. Up like a salmon out of water, one of the smallest players on the pitch, John Price, defying gravity with grace and determination, headed the ball home to make it 3-2 to St Joseph’s, sending everybody in Cushla Park crazy. Belvedere paid the ‘Price’ for not picking him up!

Belvedere continued to attack to try and claim an equaliser, causing problems from set prices but just couldn’t capitalise. Niall Ward in the St Joseph’s goal had little to do for the remainder, but when called upon he made sure to keep his team in the lead. The final whistle rang out, sending the crowd into a frenzy of joy and celebration.

St Joseph’s were deserved winners as they created history by reaching back to back SFAI Cup finals. Performances to note came from Sousa, Dennehy, Adams and Price but the whole squad put in a monumental collaborative effort, working together and achieving their place in the SFAI Cup final.

St Joseph’s squad: Niall Ward, Ciarán Cummins, Abdul Adams, Dylan Dennehy, John Timlin (captain), Will Geraghty, Darragh Riordan, Sean Finneran, John Price, Leon Nolan, Felipe Sousa, Timothy Tselapedi, Colin Moran, Jossi Jose, Patryk Misiewicz, Santiago Lopez, Aaron Meares, Zac Mullally, Alvaro Garcia, Gary Staunton, Jimmy Walshe.