West Cork Schoolobys U14 Cup 2007-08 Review

Skibbereen were crowned 2007-2008 West Cork Schoolboys U14 Cup winners following a 2-0 Cup final victory over Lyre Rovers before a huge crowd in Mullough, Dunmanway earlier this season.

The draw for the WCSL U14 cup created two first round ties between Clonakilty AFC and Lyre Rovers as well as a local derby pitting Ballydehob against Bunratty United. The winners of the Clon AFC / Lyre encounter were drawn away to Togher Celtic in the quarter finals with Clonakilty Youths vs. Skibbereen, Riverside Athletic vs. Bay Rovers and Drinagh Rangers vs. the winners of the Ballydehob / Bunratty United first round tie completing the line-up. Skibbereen, Lyre Rovers and Bunratty United began their respective cup campaigns in style with comprehensive victories away from home on the 5th of January. Bunratty United clashed with local rivals Ballydehob in Rathravane in a first round tie and brushed the host's aside 7-1. The visitors were 4-1 up at the break and added three additional goals in a dominant second half to book a place in the last eight. Sean Evans was the best player on view and grabbed a hat-trick following a terrific individual display. Brendan Goggin added another two and further efforts from Adam Collins and Eddie Goggin completed an excellent afternoon's work for the visitors. Tadgh O'Mahony netted a consolation effort late on for the home side.

A brace of goals from Ethan Draper and a fine effort from Gearoid Barry earned Lyre Rovers a hard fought 3-1 victory away to Clonakilty AFC in the first round of the U14 Cup on the same day. Rovers were pushed all the way by a gallant Clonakilty side in an absorbing cup tie in which Tadgh Casey starred and scored the goal of the game with an incredible long range volley for the losers. The other U14 Cup tie played on the 5th of January saw Skibbereen record a one-sided 8-0 victory away to Clonakilty Youths in Ballyvackey to book a semi-final berth. Shane Hourihan broke the deadlock, Kevin Davis notched a brace and Dan MacEoin headed in from a corner to leave Skibb four up at the interval. The visitors continued their domination in the second half thanks to further goals from Rudi Henwood, Brendan O'Dwyer and two from Dan MacEoin to march into the final four in great confidence.

The three remaining quarter finals were completed back in February. On Saturday the 2nd Togher Celtic and Lyre Rovers played out a five goal thriller in Togher. Rovers came from 2-0 down to knock Celtic out in an enthralling quarter final tie. Mark Quinn put the hosts 1-0 ahead with a converted spot-kick. Daniel Twomey doubled Togher’s lead direct from a corner and it seemed Lyre were on their way out. To their credit, Rovers re-grouped and lead by the inspirational Kevin Cormican somehow fought back to clinch the unlikeliest of victories. James Hayes reduced the deficit and then Cormican slid in to equalise. Ethan Draper grabbed a winner soon afterwards and Lyre were through to the semi finals. The other quarter final tie played on the 2nd of Feb between Bay Rovers and Riverside matched the Lyre / Togher encounter for excitement and drama. A pulsating cup tie ended 3-3 after extra time so penalties were needed to decide the outcome. Alex Karkalas was the hero for Bay Rovers, saving the penultimate penalty and then Tom O’Sullivan netted to win the shootout 6-5 and send the Kealkil side into the last four. Bunratty completed the semi final line-up by knocking out the U14 Cup holders, Drinagh Rangers 2-0 on the 16th of February. The match turned out to be one of the games of the season at U14 level with both sides serving up a magnificent spectacle. The game finished scoreless so extra time was needed to separate the sides. Adam Collins converted a superb individual effort to break the deadlock and then Eddie Goggin made it 2-0 shortly afterwards to send Bunratty through to the semi finals.

March the 1st was the date for both U14 Cup semi finals and Skibbereen kicked off proceedings with a one-sided victory away to Bay Rovers. The Baltimore Road club completely outclassed a disappointing Rovers side with Brendan O'Dwyer (2), Rudi Henwood and Kevin Davis all scoring for the visitors. The day belonged to Skibb Captain, Dan MacEoin, who netted an astonishing 5 times to send his side through to the final. The second semi proved a much closer affair with Lyre knocking out the much-fancied Bunratty after a tremendous 2-1 victory in Knockskeagh. James Hayes sprung the United offside trap to put the hosts 1-0 up. Bunratty fought back and deservedly equalised through a cracking Eddie Goggin effort. Kevin Cormican crossed and Scott Sheehan slid in to bury the ball into the net to make it 2-1 late on and Lyre were in the final.

The U14 Cup final took place on the 22nd of March and the top two ranked sides in the U14 division served up a wonderful match befitting such a prestigious occasion. Lyre Rovers dominated possession but lead by their inspirational Captain, Dan MacEoin, the Baltimore Road club demonstrated their undoubted class. Skibb scored twice in the second half to claim the U14 Cup trophy for the first time in a decade. Dan MacEoin curled a free kick into the penalty area for Jason Minihane to guide a fantastic header to put Skibb 1-0 ahead. MacEoin converted a re-taken 50th minute penalty to seal a memorable victory.

SuperValu WCSL U14 Cup 2007-08 Results:
1st Round: Ballydehob 1 Bunratty United 7, Clonakilty AFC 1 Lyre Rovers 3.
Quarter Finals: Togher Celtic 2 Lyre Rovers 3, Clonakilty Youths 0 Skibbereen 8, Riverside Athletic 3 Bay Rovers 3 * aet Bay won 6-5 on penalties, Drinagh Rangers 0 Bunratty United 2.
Semi Finals: Lyre Rovers 2 Bunratty United 1, Bay Rovers 0 Skibbereen 9.
U14 Cup Final: Lyre Rovers 0 Skibbereen 2.