Heywood CS 3 Scoil Dara, Kilcock 1
FAI Schools Leinster Boys Midlands Senior League Division Two Final
Heywood Community School were crowned FAI Schools Leinster Boys Midlands Senior League Division 2 champions this week.
That was after they came from behind to defeat Kildare side Scoil Dara, Kilcock in Newbridge.
This was a tense affair with neither side giving anything away as the first half ended scoreless.
Kilcock broke the deadlock early in the second half but former Waterford FC man Jay Brophy levelled matters.
Durrow Lions’ Jack Kennedy put Heywood ahead in the 87th minute and then former T&S United player Conor Headen made the win safe in injury time.
Heywood CS were champions and now progress on to the Leinster stage of the competition where they will enter at the semi finals.
HEYWOOD CS: James Thompson, Cian Flaherty, Ryan Brennan, Alex Dunne, Ed Slevin, Joey Dempsey, John O’Brien, Cillian Gorman, Conor Dempsey, Cathal Noone, Aaron Smith, Oisin Quinlan, Conor Headen, Tim Drennan, Bobby Rowan, Jay Brophy, Jack Kennedy, Conor McDonagh, Liam O’Keeffe, Kyle Knowles, DJ Lalor, Daniel Kavanagh, Billy Brennan, Ryan Tully
Dunamase College 2 Curragh Community School 1
FAI Schools Leinster Boys Midlands Senior Division Three League Final
The Dunamase College senior soccer team travelled to Kilcullen to play Curragh Community College in the regional league final on Wednesday, January 21.
The opening goal came when David Valainis scored one of the most spectacular strikes in Dunamase soccer history.
Valainis ran onto a well-placed Ben Peacham throw-in and hit a 25-yard volley that flew into the far-right top corner.
Dunamase controlled possession for large portions of the second half as the Curragh players tired.
The significant second goal came when Alex Murphy completed an excellent dribble and gave an even more impressive pass into Peacham’s path, who cleverly rounded the goalkeeper and rolled the ball into an empty net.
Curragh got a goal back not long afterwards following a well-executed set piece. Dunamase continued to battle hard across the pitch, shutting down any space in which the opposition hoped to attack.
Displaying great maturity, Dunamase handled the nervous last ten minutes. There were jubilant scenes when the final whistle was blown.
Every player for Dunamase deserves immense credit. goalkeeper Ryan along with his backline of Cormac Breathnach, captain Ben Langford, Aleksander Zajaczkoski and Nathan Lenihan were all excellent.
Harry O’Neill, Philip Kacprzak and Valainis in midfield worked together brilliantly for the full 90 minutes.
Peacham and Murphy interchanged wings and were equally effective on both sides. Sean Conka led a tireless high press and caused the Curragh defence consistent problems.
Special mentions go to Jack Ryan who continued his stellar form this season and Ben Peacham who had his finest game in Dunamase colours.
But Man of the Match had to be David Valainis, whose endless effort in midfield was justly rewarded with the previously mentioned wonder strike.
There is still more football to come for this group as they will now represent the Midlands in a Leinster Champions League quarter-final and they are also in the last 16 of the Leinster Shield.
DUNAMASE COLLEGE: Jack Ryan, Nathan Lenihan, Aleks Zajaczkoski, Ben Langford, Cormac Breathnach, Harry O’Neill, Alex Murphy, David Valainis, Ben Peacham, Philip Kacprzak, Sean Conka, Ben Malone, Glenn Johnston, Alex Sheehan, Eoin McGrath, Matt Cunningham, Sam Hardin, Cillian Dunne
SEE ALSO – Planning permission granted for new Dunamase College
