Colleges FAI Plate Final
TU-DUBLIN CITY CAMPUS ‘A’ 3
TU DUBLIN 3
(After extra time. TU Dublin won 6-5 on penalties)
The Colleges FAI Plate Final at Athlone Town Stadium lived up to its billing as the much awaited clash between these two sides from the same Dublin Technological University served up an exciting decider that was finally decided in a penalty shoot after 90 minutes plus extra time had failed to separate the sides.
The top TU Dublin squad who can select players from the three campuses of the university and last season’s double cup and league winners finally got the better of the City Campus side despite being reduced to ten men when Cole Omorehiomuwan was red carded late on.
But it was not easy as the City Campus side came back twice to level the scorers.
By JOHN HUDSON
But TU Dublin had goalkeeper Euan Niven to thank for keeping out three spot kicks in the shootout that finally decided the game.
Gbemi Arubi put TU Dublin ahead grabbing two quick goals in the closing minutes of the first half only for Fayo Adeogun to pull one back on the stroke of half time.
Earlier in the half the City Campus side might have gone in front but Darragh O’Connor failed to convert the spot kick.
Adeogun struck again on 75 minutes after being put through on goal by O’Connor to level matters at 2-2 as the closing stages were looming.
Both had chances to clinch to win with Eric Abudiore denied by Sean Umah’s smart save and as TU Dublin Continued to press for a winner Umah made a brilliant save from Shane Forbes.
While at the other end Cormac Whelahan couldn’t test Niven with a free from the edge of the box.
The first period of extra time saw Conor Levingston put TU Dublin 3-2 ahead and Darragh O’Connor respond with a late equaliser to set up the penalty shoot out where Niven excelled with three fine stops as TU Dublin took the honours.
TU Dublin City Campus ‘A’: Sean Umah; Alex Trofin, Naz Ajaegbo, Shane Meehan, Graham Burnett Keoghan; Conor Kennedy, Roy Byrne; Steffan Ugbesia, Cormac Whelehan, Fayo Adeogun; Darragh O’Connor. Subs: Brian Carr (for Trofin 12), Dola Odusanya (for 46), Jomi Adekunle (for Kennedy 50), Dami Folagi (for Meehan 76), Sam Uduchi (for Keoghan 81).Not used: George Fitzpatrick, Isiah Philips.
TU Dublin: Euan Niven; Dan Dobbin, Ray O’Sullivan, Jay Nwanze, Charlie Smith; Dan McKenna, Sami Clarke; Aaron Corish, Shane Forbes, Cian Curtis; Gbemi Arubi. Subs: Conor Levingston (for Curtis 46), Cole Omorehiomuwan (for Agaegbo), Harry Groome (for McKenna 70), Eric Abudiore (for Corish 81), Harry Groome (for Clarke 99). Not used: Paddy Moore, Zayd Abada,
Referee:Ciaran O’Reilly. Assistants: Ray Conlon, Martin Hatchett.
