Ard Scoil na Mara, Tramore clinch the FAI Schools under 17
Munster Junior Cup in 1-0 win
Winning Team: Ard Scoil na Mara, Tramore
St. Brendan’s College, Killarney 0 - 1 Ard Scoil Na Mara, Tramore
U17 Munster Cup Final Match Report
St. Brendan’s College, Killarney v Ard Scoil Na Mara, Tramore
Date: Monday, 11/03/24
Kick Off: 12:00
Venue: Ballea Park, Carrigaline
Ard Scoil Na Mara, Tramore claimed the FAI Schools u17 Munster Junior Cup in a narrow 0 – 1 win
against a strong St. Brendan’s College, Killarney side. The tireless Joshua Roche was the hero for the
Waterford school as his goal ensured that the u17 Munster Junior Cup returned to Tramore.
Ard Scoil na Mara, Tramore Team Photograph
On a dry March afternoon at Ballea Park, Carrigaline, the u17 FAI Schools Munster Junior Cup final
got off to a tense start with both sides restricted to half chances, mostly due to stern defending from
both sides. Ard Scoil na Mara went close to opening the scoring on a couple of occaissions. In the 9th
minute a cross from Joseph Titilayo was met by Adam Chapman and sailed just wide. Moments later
a free-kick from Joseph Titilayo was well saved by St. Brendan’s goalkeeper Caolan Mitchell. Joe
Brennan also went close for Ard Scoil na Mara as his goal bound shot was blocked expertly by the St.
Brendan’s defence, which was well marshalled by the Captain Oran Horgan. However, the first half
was an even contest with St. Brendan’s also going close to scoring. The first opportunity for the Kerry
school side came from a right wing cross by Ben Keliher that was met by the on rushing Luke Doolan
and his shot sailed just over the bar. Jack Rudden then went close when his shot hit the side netting.
The lively Luke Doolan also had an effort that was well saved by Ard Scoil na Mara keeper Freddie
Brazil. The half-time whistle then blew with neither side able to break the deadlock and the score was
0-0 at the break.
In the second half, both teams came out with renewed vigour and pushed forward trying to score.
However, both teams were restricted to half chances and shots from long distance for much of the
second half as the game became a battle of attrittion with both sides evenly matched and both sides
defending well. Shay Corcoran and Captain Matt Barrett were particularly impressive for Ard Scoil na
Mara. Ard Scoil na Mara then opened the scoring midway through the second half, when a fine effort
from Joseph Titilayo was well saved by Caolan Mitchell in the St. Brendan’s goal. However, the
rebound fell to Joshua Roche who made no mistake and clinically finished from a couple of yards.
With the scoreline now 0-1 to Ard Scoil na Mara, they pushed on for a second goal with half chances
from Joe Brennan and Matt Barrett but could not add to their lead. Likewise, despite renewed
attacking pressure from St. Brendan’s College, the Ard Scoil na Mara defence stood firm and an
equaliser remained elusive for the Kerry school side. The final whistle then blew and the game ended
in a 0-1 victory for the Ard Scoil na Mara. Ard Scoil na Mara’s players and coaches then erupted in
jubilant celebration realising the feat that they have just achieved; winning the u17 FAI Schools
Munster Junior Cup. The cup was then presented to Ard Scoil na Mara’s Captain Matt Barret by
Munster FAI Schools Secretary Aiden Twomey
Winning manager Derek O’Brien (Ard Scoil na Mara) was delighted with the victory and stated that
he was “pleased for his school’s players who worked very hard in the final and throughout their
Munster campaign”. He also offered his commiserations to St. Brendan’s College, Killarney.
Well done to both teams in the final, with great football on display from both sides. Congratulations to
Ard Scoil na Mara, Tramore on winning the u17 FAI Schools Munster Junior Cup and
commiserations to St. Brendan’s College, Killarney. Ard Scoil na Mara will now go onto the u17
Junior All-Ireland semi-final.
Squad: Ard Scoil Na Mara, Tramore
Freddie Brazil, Leon Nolan, Ronan O'Toole, Shay Corcoran, Matt Barrett (Captain), Ted Healy,
Alex Treacy, Zak O'Sullivan, Alex Sheehan, Joe Brennan, Patrick Barrett, Conor Whelan,
Daniel Onuwuka, Adam Chapman, Conor Lanigan, Ryan Walsh, Alex Gillane, Dylan Farrell,
Joseph Titilayo, Joshua Roche.
Management Team: Derek O’Brien
Squad: St. Brendan’s College, Killarney
Caolan Mitchell, Nathan Cronin RB, Fionn Daly, Mark O Carroll, Oran Horgan (Captain), Sean
Maher, Ben Kelliher, James Dempsey, Luke Doolan, Brian O Shea, Jack Rudden, Pearce Moynihan,
JJ O’ Donoghue, Liam O Brien, Muiris O Donoghue, Henry Walsh, Sean Kiely, Jake Nash,
Ryan Brady, Cillian Murphy.
Management Team: Simon Moore and Darren O’ Riordan