St Malachy’s College won the Under-16 Boys Schools’ Cup after defeating Craigavon Senior High 3-1 in the final today.
The north Belfast school came from behind to secure the Northern Ireland Schools’ Football Association trophy at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park.
Goals from striker Caleb Leworthy, captain Conaire Smyth and substitute Eamon Tohill proved decisive for Pat McAllister’s team.
St Malachy’s had the first chance of the game. In the first minute Emmett Morrison whipped a free-kick into the area which was met by Smyth. The midfielder’s low drive from close range was stopped by Craigavon keeper Carter White.
In the sixth minute Craigavon forward Jamie Pedlow fired a free-kick over the top, while Morrison then swept a shot wide at the other end.
In the 21st minute, following good work by Paul Stanfield, the ball fell to St Malachy’s midfielder Brandon Downey inside the area. He had two shots blocked by the Craigavon defence in quick succession before the loose ball fell to Morrison. He tried to slot it into the bottom corner but White was alert and held on to the ball.
Craigavon took the lead in the 29th minute. Ben McNally forced a corner, which was delivered into the area by Callum Dennison. The St Malachy’s defence failed to deal with the cross and the ball made its way to Pedlow at the back post - and his shot from a tight angle found the back of the net.
At the start of the second half St Malachy’s, who had enjoyed plenty of possession in the first half, pushed forward. Morrison scooped a volley wide of the target.
The north Belfast school equalised on 37 minutes. Morrison clipped in a free-kick from distance and the ball was headed powerfully home by Leworthy.
St Malachy’s grabbed the lead from another set piece. This time Brandon Downey whipped in a corner and it was volleyed into the net by captain Smyth from six yards.
Craigavon tried to push for an equaliser but found the St Malachy’s defence difficult to breach.
Pedlow fired a free-kick over the top from distance, while substitute Oscar Davidson whipped in a dangerous corner which was plucked out of the air by St Malachy’s keeper Daragh Rooney.
Minutes later Morrison’s free-kick sailed over the bar as the game switched from end to end.
In the 59th minute substitute Tohill made it 3-1 to St Malachy’s with a fine finish from a tight angle. He got on the end of a clever lobbed pass and nicked the ball away from the advancing keeper before finding the net.
Both sides kept pushing, however neither team could produce another clearcut chance and it finished 3-1 to St Malachy’s.
Craigavon Senior High: Carter White, Tyler Black, Carter Lyttle, Archie Ferguson (captain), Eric Montgomery, Carter Murray, Callum Dennison, Reiss Neill, Jamie Pedlow, Sam Green, Ben McNally.
Substitutes: (used) Oscar Davidson, Jay Fleming, Alex Johnson, Levi Kennedy, Charlie Sinton.
St Malachy’s College: Daragh Rooney, Aidan Birch, Sean Cassidy, Michael Jennings, Dillon Hamill, Conaire Smyth (captain), Paul Stanfield, Emmett Morrison, Caleb Leworthy, Cain Shivers, Brandon Downey.
Substitutes: (used) Eamon Tohill, Aodhan Pierce, Cathair McKenna, Dylan Rogers, Donal Maguire.
Action from the final
