Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Senior Schoolboy final: Wesley 3 St Andrew's 0

Wesley 3 (Conor Motyer, Luke Chadwick, Carl Eggert) St Andrew’s 0

Wesley continued their Leinster School's senior cup hoodoo over St Andrew's this afternoon at Grange Road, making the most of their chances to overturn last October's All-Ireland school's final result.

The final itself was a classic schoolboy's final, both sides throwing caution to the wind and attacking with pace and purpose. The Booterstown school took just 30 seconds to win the game's first corner while Carl Eggert got his first chance from a set-piece 120 seconds later.

The game zipped from end-to-end, though clear openings shy to appear. A case in point was Conor Motyer's excellent run snuffed out just at the crucial point by Richard Sykes outstretched stick.

Sam O'Leary went closest to breaking the deadlock but could only draw an incredible double-save from Kristian Fitzgerald. The Wesley skipper was key to Wesley's success on the day and he batted away O'Leary's pair of travelling high efforts.

Laurenz von Eickstedt was another to go close but, after bullying his way into the D, could send his shot just wide of the right post.

The second half started much the same way - lots of pace and aggression shown but carefully constructed play came at a premium. One to break the mould, Stephen Cole's delightful overhead almost saw Davy Carson nick a cheeky goal but for Fitzgerald's pace off his line before Cole set up Loughrey - the pair both hoping to emulate their younger brothers who won the minor title - for a free forehand shot but to no avail.

Wesley soaked up the pressure, David McCrea and Peter English the twin towers at the back, and began to threaten on the break. Rovers' clubmates Tom Samuel and Kyle Good's neat interchange was a statement of intent.

And Samuel's next incision found the goal as he reached the endline. His pull-back did not reach it's intended target but scrambled through two sticks to leave Motyer with the simplest of chances from one yard.

The atmosphere heightened, English was sent to the bin for a tough challenge on Stephen Cole form which Scott Wilkie took Sykes' effort out of harm's way before the Andrew's defender followed into the sin-bin for his foul on Good.

During the 10-v-10 period, Luke Chadwick pouched the game's decisive goal. The midfielder was a major presence throughout and it was his steal and surge that played in Carl Eggert one on one with Stephen West.

West won the battle but Wesley won the war as his stick-save at the top of the circle fell to Chadwick who got the ball clear on the left edge of the circle and struck a sublime reverse the opposite side of the goal to the covering defenders for 2-0.

Just 12 minutes remained and while the Saints threw everything at Wesley, they were unable to narrow the margin and with men committed forward, Carl Eggert rounded off a third breakaway goal to complete victory and secure five-in-a-row for Wesley.

Wesley: Kristian Fitzgerald, Neal Megarity, Peter English, Scott Wilkie, Conor Motyer, Kyle Good, Carl Eggert, Jamie Tobin, Luke Chadwick, Robert Whelan,David McCrea Subs: Laurenz von Eickstedt, Robert Anderson, Daniel Gribben, Stuart Malcolm, Tom Samuel

St Andrew’s: Stephen West, Keith Kenning, Ben Murphy, Richard Sykes, Stuart Loughrey, Stephen Cole, David Cole, Sam O’Leary, Cian Speers (captain), David Carson, Jamie Haughton Subs: Jake Beirne, Rob McKenna, Alex Fox, Theo Kirwan, Mairtin Cronin

* The Hook's pictures from the Senior final can be found here. Pictures from the game, taken by Bray's Donall Farmar (INPHO), can be found here.

23 comments:

Anonymous said...

man of the match: conor moyter

great performance from both teams but wesley wanted it more. smasher wilkie also had a great game, the bison dominated and his save off the line was a beaut

Anonymous said...

Really amazing performance by Wesley in the second half. Probably the best 35 minutes I've ever seen in schools hockey. They showed that they are not just a group of amazing individuals but an amazing team. Well done Wesley you deserved it!!

Anonymous said...

it was Jamie Tobin who was clear one on one with the keeper for the Luke Chadwick goal I think!

Stephen Findlater said...

Also, there is a good match report in today's Irish Times about the senior final. Haven't seen the Indo yet, but they had a reporter there.

Anonymous said...

great game, only difference in the teams was Wesley took there chances and Andrews didn't, they had there fair share of chances in second half with at least 5 corners!
great game all around, real nail biter despite the score line
man of the match i must agree conor moyter

Andrews past pupil

Anonymous said...

Ctown beat banbridge 4-3 in ulster schools cup.

Anonymous said...

Brilliant game at a great standard! I think the right team one in the end but a great display of boys hockey.Some players to watch there!

Predictions for the league final???

Anonymous said...

I'm still convinced andrews will win the league. It will be a great match though, very close.
The right team won in the end of this one, although I don't think having mocks on at the same time was great for the andrews team. Not really an excuse though.
Whatever happens in the end, these are two of the best teams schools hockey has produced, don't think anybody can argue with that.

Anonymous said...

Where are the photos?

Stephen Findlater said...

The photos will hopefully be up by the weekend but please be patient. Unfortunately I have a huge backlog of paid work that I have to get through and so the photos will have to wait.

Thanks for your understanding.

Anonymous said...

Alright Smash!

Anonymous said...

Stephen, do you know fixtures for John Waring will it be next week before we find out?

Stephen Findlater said...

I've no idea as of yet. I'll post them when I find out.

Pictures are now on the flickr!

Anonymous said...

Saints Andrews won today. 5-1 the final score. Temple went 1-0 up before getting outplayed in the second half.

Stephen Findlater said...

Wesley won against Sutton Park today, too, to set up a final with St Andrew's

Anonymous said...

wesley beat sutton 8-0 today

Anonymous said...

isnt't funny that when andrews are beaten 3-0 in the final they are described as one of the best schools teams ever whereas when high school did the exact same last year, it was a disgrace that they were allowed to get there?

Anonymous said...

Wesley wiil win the junior cup, they have an unbeatable team this year

Anonymous said...

Yeah but the difference in the two years was that, last year wesley won it in 1st gear. This year they were pushed for 60 minutes, but in fairness then stepped up and did win fair and square. They have an excellent team this year, but i can't wait to see who wins the league final now!!

Anonymous said...

The ALL IRELANDS ha ha ha!!!

Anonymous said...

At March 7, 2009 8:46 AM

Its kind of funny in a way that. But then you have to look at the team, and see that high school weren't the best team last year, and are not one of the best teams to come through the years. It was more of a fluke if I'm honest. They got a nice draw.
As for this years andrews team you just need to look at some of the names involved. Cole, loughry ect. They're some of the best players that have come through the schools system over the past few years. Andrews have the quality to be called one of the best teams ever, as evidenced by their all Ireland victory earlier on in the season. However the highschool team is lacking in that quality.

Anonymous said...

anyone know wat date that new all-irelands (or the super six as its being called) is on. I've heard the 2 days after paddys but im not sure

Anonymous said...

thursday and friday. st paddys week. think its the 18th and 19th!
my money is on Ban for the victory!