DONEGAL SCHOOLBOYS WON the Under-13 Foyle Cup this evening at Maginn Park, Buncrana.
Donegal Schoolboys Under-13s 2 Oxford United 0
Joel Gorman and Rory Pyper netted the goals as Gerry Crossan’s team defeated a gallant and stubborn Oxford United .
Gorman unleashed a speculative shot four minutes into the second half that flew to the net and Pyper scored a neat second seven minutes from time to seal a memorable win for the Donegal Schoolboys.
[adrotate group=”37″]The defeated side in this year’s SFAI Inter-League competition, the Donegal lads won three-from-three in the group phase with wins over Ballymena United, Foyle Harps and St Mary’s.
They found Oxford a tough nut to crack this evening in the final before scoring what was ultimately a deserved win in the end.
Fionnan Coyle’s early cross caused a moment of panic for Oxford, but the lively Joshua Bradley just missed a connection.
[adrotate group=”46″]Coyle himself was on the end of a tidy move by the Donegal side soon after when he burst into the box after taking a pass from Blake McGarvey, but his advances were thwarted at the vital second.
Donegal were showing plenty of promise in possession, but Oxford were giving them little room to carve openings.
However, the found one just after the restart. There seemed little danger when Gorman picked up possession close-to 40 yards out. The Letterkenny native looked up and let fly with a delivery that evaded everyone in a crowded goalmouth, including Oxford goalkeeper JP Shiels.
The deputy First Minister of Northern Ireland, Martin McGuinness, was among the big attendance in Buncrana, watching his grandson, Oisin Hargan, the son of former Derry City player Sean Hargan.
Donegal were energised by that opening goal and they were centimetres from another just two minutes after going in front, but the excellent Adam Murphy wad denied by the crossbar from a superb effort.
However, Donegal did make safe the win when Bradley centred and Pyper beat Shiels with a composed finish.
It wasn’t long before the whistle shrilled, the water spilled and the Donegal side rejoiced in euphoria.
Donegal Schoolboys Under-13s: Kyle Burns; Leon Doherty, Joel Gorman, Conor McDaid, Shane Black; Fionnan Coyle, Adam Murphy, Rory Pyper, Daniel Gildea; Blake McGarvey, Joshua Bradley. Subs used: Patrick McGarvey, Adam Yisau, Ryan Coyle, Ultan O’Grady.
Oxford United: JP Shiels; Cian Thompson, Darragh McFadden, Eogan Coyle; Ethan O’Kane, Oisin Hargan, Shea Ferguson, Fionn Barr; Sean McGinley, Joshua McCullagh, Ben Bradley-Knox. Subs used: Mark McDaid, Conall Toland.
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