NIBFA Cup Match Report Saturday 23rd February 2008 - St Marys Under 17
Result: St Mary's FC 0 Foyle Harps 0
St Mary's won 3 - 0 on penalties
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“ST MARY'S BEAT DERRY'S BEST IN PENALTY SHOOTOUT TO REACH QUARTER FINALS OF THE NIBFA CUP."
St Mary's knew they faced a demanding challenge in this NIBFA Under 17 Cup match away in Derry against a strong Foyle Harps team who actually reached last year's final and so it proved.
The first half was full of commitment with each team strong in defence and competing for every ball in midfield. There were few chances with only one falling to Michael O'Reilly who narrowly missed the target.
A similar pattern followed in the second half with O'Reilly and McAuley having half chances whilst Conor Devlin pulled off a number of great saves at the other end. Tension mounted as the game neared full time and then throughout extra time. Despite giving everything they had neither team could break the deadlock and so it went to penalties.
Declan Hackett strode up to confidently put St Mary's ahead and then Conor Devlin saved well before O'Reilly knocked in the second. Foyle's second went over the bar before Ryan McAuley fired home the third leaving a nervous third Derry penalty to go wide. The celebrations then began!
A terrific all-round team performance lead admirably by captain Chris Boy now sees St Mary's eagerly look forward to a quarter final against Glentoran.
Team:
Conor Devlin, Michael Fearon, Daniel Lunney, Chris Boy (Captain ), Declan Hackett, Conor Saunders, Antoin Rooney, Hugh Campbell, Ryan McAuley, Kevin Meighan ( sub Chris Barr then John Meighan ), Michael O'Reilly. Subs unused Chris Walsh, Michael Donaghy, Michael Kane, James Cachart, Tony McVeigh, Warren Patterson.