The Danske Bank Schools’ Cup final takes place today as Integrated College Dungannon take on St Columb’s College.
The showpiece is being staged at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park and will be streamed live on the Irish FA’s YouTube channel.
Derry-Londonderry school St Columb’s booked their place in the final of the Northern Ireland Schools’ FA U18 competition for the fourth time in seven years after defeating Grosvenor Grammar 3-1 in the semi-finals.
And Integrated College Dungannon edged past another east Belfast school, Ashfield Boys’ High, in the other last four tie. They won the match 2-1 to reach the decider.
Today’s Danske Bank Schools’ Cup final will see two of the most exciting young strikers in the country on a quest for glory.
Jack McFeely and Kenny Ximenes are set to lead the line for St Columb’s and ICD respectively at the National Stadium (12.30pm kick-off).
Holders St Columb’s are favourites going in to the game, however ICD will no doubt want to make a good impression after reaching the final for the first time in their history.
McFeely, a Northern Ireland U18 international who netted a double in last year’s final, was on fire in this year’s semi-final when he grabbed a hat-trick in the victory over Grosvenor Grammar. And Ximenes weighed in with a fine goal as Integrated College Dungannon edged past Ashfield.
Although the two strikers will be in the spotlight this afternoon, both schools have strong squads and they will be cheered on by a large crowd. More than 1800 tickets have been snapped up for the match.
Image: Integrated College Dungannon captain Lee McMenemy and St Columb’s College captain Sean Carlin promote this season’s Danske Bank Schools’ Cup final.
