FAI Youth Cup Final 4th May 2025

Mervue Utd 1-2 College Corinthians

There was to be no National cup celebrations for Mervue Utd as Cork side College Corinthians struck for an extra time winner at Eamonn Deacy Park last Sunday afternoon to claim the FAI Youth Cup title.

It was an historic first win for the Cork side in the competition and a very fruitful few weeks for the club as they had already captured the FAI Intermediate Cup just a couple of weeks ago for a memorable double of national titles.

It was winger Kai O’Neill who proved to be their match winner as he finished expertly for both goals to claim the FAI Man of the Match award and break Mervue hearts after a very tight game with only a kick of ball between the two sides.

College Corinthians were also exacting revenge on Mervue Utd as these two squads met five years ago in the FAI U13 Troy Cup final were the Galway side came out on top with a 4-1 win at Turners Cross back in 2020.

The Cork side came into the game unbeaten with league and cup trophies already claimed and they started the livelier and within four minutes a driving run by Joe Mouret released Ty Corcoran into the box but his cross evaded everybody as the Mervue goal survived. Two minutes later O’Neill got his first sight on goal but his strike was well held by Jason Daly.

Mervue, who came into the game on the back of capturing the Bernard Concar Premier Division only three days prior with a late 3-2 away win over Moyne Villa, responded forcing a number of corners and from the second of these Jack Kelly saw his close range effort deflected over the crossbar.  

The opening half was keenly contested and both sides were full of endeavour and another O’Neill run created an opportunity for striker Padraig McGrath as his quick turn past the Mervue defence saw him shoot straight at Jason Daly. At the other end Dawit Dems was denied as his shot was deflected away for another Mervue corner, while McGrath once again got free of the Mervue rearguard but his effort was tame and Daly gathered comfortably once again.

An excellent mazy run from Mark Leahy saw his effort blocked before the ball broke to Jack Kelly but his well struck shot was saved by Raymond Foley. Mervue almost broke the deadlock in spectacular fashion five minutes before the break as Dems showed lovely feet work in the box before a perfectly flighted delivery found Sean Nnadi and his bicycle-kick fizzed inches over the crossbar.

Just as it looked like a scoreless opening half the Cork side struck for the opening goal a minute before the interval. A quick counter unhinged the Mervue defence as Ty Corcoran was slipped in behind the cover and he rounded the advancing Daly and squared to the arriving O’Neill who smashed the ball into the net via the upright.

Mervue began the second period the brighter and began to claim the majority of possession as they pushed hard for an equaliser. Five minutes in both Sean Nnadi and Fergal Takaza saw shots blocked while in good positions. An excellent run from right back Lee Traynor-Curley found the head of Mark Leahy and his effort was almost turned into his own net by centre back Samuel Dow as his intervention flew just past Foley’s post with the keeper beaten.

David Kilraine saw another effort blocked away for corner before Mervue’s persistence finally paid off with just seven minutes remaining. Following a sustained period of pressure from a number of corners the ball broke to Mervue sub Darragh King and his perfect cross found Dawit Dems and he cooly finished the ball to net for 1-1.

Both sides had chances to win the game late on as Mervue’s Jason Daly producing a world-class save to deny Padraig McGrath’s strike on 87 minutes and Foley saved from Sean Nnadi after great work from Dawit Dems set up the chance.

However, there was to be no more late drama with extra time required. Mervue were quick into their stride and good work from Nnadi set up Dawit Dems inside the box but his low effort struck the butt of Foley’s post as they came agonisingly close to taking the lead in the first minute.

College Corinthians made the most of that let off and the Douglas based side regained the lead on 94 minutes. A quick counteroffensive saw sub Shane Fielding released on the right and his cracking delivery was swept home with a terrific finish from Kai O’Neill for his second and ultimately the winning goal.

United dominated the closing stages of the second period of extra-time as they desperately tried to salvage a second equaliser but only a late freekick from captain Christian Ryan came close as the Cork outfit defended their goal in numbers.

No rest for this Mervue side as they only have six days to prepare for a Connacht Youth Cup final on Saturday against Castlebar Celtic in Milebush (Kick-off 3 pm), while College Corinthians will contest the Munster Youth Cup final against Limerick’s Pike Rovers.

A word on the Officials for the game who don't normally get the praise they deserve, Referee Ruben Collins and his assistants who had an excellent game allowing the game to flow between two very talented sides and letting the game be all about the kids playing, a very well done guys we will surely be seeing you in the League of Ireland before too long.

Mervue Utd: Jason Daly, Lee Traynor-Curley (Houssein Kassem 95), Atson De Siakam (Jake Cunningham 53), Christian Ryan, Cillian Faherty; David Kilraine, Jack Kelly, Fergal Takaza (Darragh King 80), Mark Leahy (Joey Cunningham 75), Dawit Dems, Sean Nnadi

Subs not Used: Kian Kirrane (GK), Mark Economopoulos, Kian Dooley, Tom Clancy.

College Corinthians; Raymond Foley, Daniel Mellerick (Jayden Adair Bell 55), Billy Higgins, Connor Gardinar, Samuel Dow; Kealan Crowe ©,Ty Corcoran (Shane Fielding 77), Dylan O’Sullivan (Conor Redmond 101), Padraigh McGrath, Joseph Mouret (Harry Jeffers 83), Kai O’Neill (James O’Sullivan 106)

Subs not Used: Sean Murphy (GK), Harry Jeffers, Jamie Dullea, James O’Sullivan, Sam Murphy

Referee: Ruben Collins (Wicklow)