U17 Soccer:

North Dublin champs reach

Leinster final

U17 Boys Soccer Squad reached the North Dublin league final this year and became

champions after a difficult match against Ashbourne. This victory put them into the

Leinster competition and they have since reached the final.

The team topped the league group as they were unbeaten in all three league games.

North Dublin Semi Final: Topping the group put the team in a good position for the

league semi final as it meant they would have home advantage. The semi final was

played on the 12th of December in Portmarnock against Chanel College. The team

welcomed back Cian Fitzpatrick from injury to play his first game of the campaign.

Portmarnock knew how strong Chanel teams were in all age groups previous to this

meeting and they started the game excellently. They put the visitors under a lot of

pressure and Chanel didn’t know what hit them as Portmarnock went 4-0 up at half time.

The weather was very wet and windy but Portmarnock didn’t let this bother them and

went on to win the match 5-1!

Goal Scorers: Aaron Mulvey (3), Cian Fitzpatrick (2). Man of the match: Sean Murray.

North Dublin Final: The league final was played on 25th of January in the ALSSA

grounds in Dublin. Portmarnock’s opponents were Ashbourne, a team that they played

already in the group stages. When teams met before it was a tight contest but

Portmarnock edged it 5-4.

The final turned out to be a brilliant game of football between two teams that matched

each other in every position of the pitch. Game finished 2-2, with Ashbourne getting a

penalty in last five minutes to level it. Both teams were dead locked after extra time,

which meant penalties to decide the champions. Portmarnock kept their cool and netted

all five penalties, it took a wonderful save from goal keeper David Stuart to end

Ashbornes chances.

Goal Scorers: Stephan Hogan (2). Man of the Match: Stephan Hogan

Leinster Quarter Final: Portmarnock were drawn away to Tullow C.S from Carlow for

their Quarter final match. Portmarnock knew very little about their opponents, only that

both schools played a few years ago in the same competition. Portmarnock travelled to

Carlow with a few players injured and away on a South Africa trip. This left places open

to other players looking for a chance, and two players who stood out that day and claimed

starting positions were Luke Kavanagh and Simon Lenihan. The game finished 4-0 to

Portmarnock who claimed to be far too strong for Tullow C.S.

Goal Scorers: Aaron Mulvey (2), Stephan Hogan, Philip Rusk. Man of the Match:

Philip Rusk.

Leinster Semi Final: Portmarnock played the Leinster Semi Final against Marist in Orial

Park home grounds of Dundalk FC. This was Portmarnock toughest match and game was

level until the 75th

minute of the match. With 5 minutes left on the clock a free kick from

Stephan Hogan was the difference between the teams. The game finished 1-0 and

Portmarnock reached the Leinster League Final.

Goal Scorers: Stephan Hogan. Man of the Match: Stephan Hogan.