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  General

• Sunday April 19th, 2015 @ 19:00

Saints Progress To U19 Final!

St Patrick's Athletic under 19's are through to the Champions Knockout Phase Final against Derry City after recording a fine 3-0 Semi-Final win away to Limerick.

The Saints progressed thanks to goals from Paul Bracken, Stephen Ball and a Paudie O'Connor own goal from a Darragh Markey corner, defeating a Limerick side that had won the Southern Elite Division and had been unbeaten in ten games since Christmas.

The semi-final was a close affair in the first half, Limerick testing Lee Doyle's goal with Sean McSweeney having a shot cleared off the line and Doyle saving from Ross Mann, while Paul Rooney hit the crossbar for Pat's after meeting Markey's free on the volley.

CROSSBAR! pic.twitter.com/MsvaWQaq13

— St Patrick's Ath (@stpatsfc) April 19, 2015

But the Saints started the second half the brighter side showing a clear intent to break the deadlock, and did so on 56 minutes when Markey's inswinging corner tried to find the head of Jamie McGrath, but instead found the unfortunate O'Connor who could only direct the ball into his own net.

The Saints moved up another gear after that, Rory Feely twice forcing Limerick keeper Tommy Holland into action, the second effort a fine left footed strike from the edge of the box tipped over the bar by Holland.

On 61 minute though, the Saints scored the goal of the game. A free from deep by centre back Rooney found McGrath on the left. One on one with Limerick's Conor Maguire, the Meath man's stepover beat the defender before he squared the ball to striker Paul Bracken, who finished to the net from 10 yards.

Limerick attempted to fight their way back into the game in the final 20 minutes, O'Connor attempting to make amends with a header from a James Duggan cross, but his effort drifted just wide of the post.

The game ended as a contest though on 83 minutes when Markey played in Stephen Ball, with the substitute finding the
net from inside the box to score his third goal in two games.

The Saints saw out the remaining few minutes to seal their progress to the final where they will now face Derry City, the winners of the Northern Elite Division and conquerors of the Saints in the recent Semi-Final of the Enda McGill Cup.

The Champions Knockout Phase Final has been fixed for next Saturday, April 25 in Maginn Park, Buncrana (Kick-Off 5pm).

Congratulations to all of the Saints' U19's and the management team of Cyril Walsh and Richie Smith.

Saint Patrick's Athletic U19: Lee Doyle; Jordan Delamere, Mikey Hannigan, Paul Rooney, Curtis Murphy (c); Rory Feely (Ryan Ennis 90+4), Craig Hanlon (Ian O'Brien 88), Jack Bayly (Tommy Ilunga 84), Darragh Markey, Jamie McGrath (Stephen Hogan 88); Paul Bracken (Stephen Ball 73). Unused Subs: Fuad Sule.