Cork City crowned Under 19 League Champions

Conor Ellis was the hero as Cork City ended the season on a high by winning the SSE U19 League title against Limerick FC at a damp Markets Field. His penalty was the decisive goal as City came from behind to defeat Tommy Barrett’s Limerick 2-1.

The game was scrappy throughout, largely due to the conditions, but it was Oisin Kelly with the first chance after a neat exchange with Yoyo Mahdy but City stopper David Coffey was equal to it.

In what was a feisty encounter throughout Liam McCarten and then Declan Cusack found their way into the referees note book as City looked to use their pace on the flanks. George Gill was the first Rebel to be cautioned.

Then, on 22 minutes, Mahdy broke the offside trap and slotted low beyond Coffey to give the Blues a deserved lead.

Moments later Gill fluffed his lines in front of goal when a Craig Donnellan free-kick found him unmarked with just Tommy Holland to beat. It should have been an instant response from Stephen Bermingham’s side.

For Limerick, Sean McSweeney and Clyde O’Connell next to try their luck but determined City managed to escape through a series of blocks and good work by Cian Colman and Coffey.

With the half almost over, Ross Mann felt he was denied a penalty just before the break, as Limerick looked effective on the counter attack.
 

Blues Captain Mann, and influential Sean McSweeney had further openings before O’Connell cleared the City bar with the last kick of the half with his 50 yard strike.

In a game of two halves, Cork dominated the second period. First Referee Hennessy awarded City an extremely harsh penalty just after the break, only for his linesman to rule it out for offside.

Limerick’s main chance came when McSweeney brought the best from Coffey as the game opened up in the second half. 

But it was City who levelled as Conor Ellis laid the ball back for Aaron Drinan who fired beyond the helpless Holland. Chiedozie Ogbene continued to influence the game as the visitors began to show their talent in the second half.
 
Conor Ellis was then denied by a wonderful Holland save. But the best was to come when Ellis and then sub Denzil Fernandez were denied when either looked certain to score.

Then with Cork well on top, Killian Brouder upended Ellis and the Cork frontman sent Holland the wrong way to give Cork a deserved advantage.

Limerick failed to mount a comeback as Cork sat deep to defend with ease before 695. The suspensions of Paudie O’Connor and Val Feeney appeared to dent Limericks hopes but Cork showed their class in the second half to come away with silverware.


Limerick: Tommy Holland; Shane Lowth, Evan O’Connor, Killian Brouder, Liam McCartan; Clyde O’Connell, Declan Cusack (Ross Fitzgerald 61), Ross Mann ©, Oisín Kelly (Evan Cusack 68), Seán McSweeney; Yoyo Mahdy (Denis Haverty 83). 
Booked: McCartan, D. Cusack, McSweeney.
Unused Subs: Carl Williams (GK), Jack Lynch, Stevie Nolan.

Cork City: David Coffey; Kevin Taylor, Garan Manley, Conor McCarthy, Cian Coleman; George Gill, William Cronin (Denzil Fernandez 70), Craig Donnellan, Conor Ellis, Aaron Drinan (Alex Byrne 81), Chiedozie Ogbene.
Subs: Ross Welch, Daire O’Riordan,  Alec Bryne, Eli Khadi Harrington, Alex O’Brien, Aadam Mylod.
Booked: Gill, Ellis

Referee: Robert Hennessy
Attendance: 695
Extratime.ie Man of the Match: Conor Ellis (Cork City)