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23.05.2010
Limerick's Fairview Rangers are the 2009/2010 FAI Umbro Youth Cup champions after a dramatic 1-0 victory over Galway's Mervue United at a sun drenched final at Jackman Park in Limerick. Substitute Shane Power was Fairview's hero as he struck a magnificent volley after 77 minutes which proved to be the difference between the sides.
In a tentative start to the game, it was the Galway side who dominated their Limerick opponents for large Periods. The first real chance of the game came in the 32nd minute when Mervue's Pat hoban attempted an audacious free-kick from 30 yards but Fairview keeper, Keith McCarthy saved comfortably.
It was Hoban again who threatened the Fairview defence in the 41st minute when his bicycle kick from 10 yards went inches over the bar.
That attempt seemed to spur the Limerick side into action and they finished the first half strongly and maybe should have gone in at the break with the advantage with two guilt-edge chances falling to striker, David Crowe.
In the 45th minute, a clever ball from the Fairview midfield caught the Mervue defense napping and as Crowe raced towards goal, Mervue's goalkeeper, Conor Winn, closed the angles on the striker and his snap-shot hit the side netting much to the relief of the Mervue defense.
Two minutes later, David Crowe was once again causing all sorts of problems in the Mervue defense as he ran on to a clever through ball and struck with his left foot at a tight angle, beating the keeper, but Mervue United left back, Eric Holland, recovered wonderfully and cleared the ball off the line.
In a cautious beginning to the second half, the game burst into life after 77 minutes when the newly introduced substitute, Shane Power, latched on to a ball from 25 yards and his powerful left-footed volley looped over Mervue keeper Conor Winn and nestled into the back of the net.
Mervue responded strongly and they had a number of chances to level the game but for the sheer brilliance of Keith McCarthy in Fairview's goal. McCarthy saved from striker Enda Curran who barged his way into Fairview's box and moments later he tipped over a powerful Mike Elwood shot from 20 yards.
Both sides had opportunities to score in the closing moments of the game as Mervue's Keith Lee headed a corner over the bar from three yards out and Fairview substitute, Colin Daly, should have doubled the scoring deep into injury time when he found himself one-on-one with the Mervue keeper, Colin Winn, who stood tall and saved Daly's attemped chip.
Team: Keith McCarthy, Damien Moloney, Aaron Cooney, Niall Mullen, Stephen Frawley, Conor McCormack Craig Madigan (C), Richie Burke, David Crowe, Mark McGrath, Dean McNamara
Subs: Darren Moore, Darren Nolan, Colin Daly (on for Mark McGrath), Craig Redden, Robert Power, Shane Power (on for Conor McCormack), John McNamara.