Battle of the ‘Ports’ beckons for U-17 All-Ireland schools soccer decider

IT’S the same competition, different year, different opposition, different personnel but the same hunger and desire for Westport’s Rice College.

Both they and their opponents, Portmarnock Community School, come into today’s (Wednesday) All-Ireland final on the back of semi-final wins where they played their opponents off the field.

It’s nearly a month since Abbey VS from Donegal struggled to keep the ball kicked out to Rice College in a 4-0 defeat that flattered the losers somewhat.

Big striker Jack O’Malley got two goals on the day in Sligo while Simeon Popov - who is travelling from Bulgaria for the final – and Rian Durkan completed the thrashing.

Portmarnock from north County Dublin beat Ardscoil na Mara from Tramore by an identical margin in their semi-final. 

Seán Jones stole the show with a hat-trick as the seasiders – who have 931 students, including 516 boys - walked over the Waterford lads.

It all has the makings of a cracking final, whatever the outcome.

While ‘success breeds success’, to quote Michael Rabbette, Rice College know well that last year’s success doesn’t entitle them a victory tomorrow. 

Just look at how their star-studded U-19s got on.

“Last year, there was some superstars in the team,” said Rabbette. “The U-19s this year, there was more of an expectation on them after winning at U-17, and they fell short in Connacht.”

Still trucking from last year’s All-Ireland final are the likes of Michael McDonnell, Seán Casey, Ethan McGing, and team captain Jamie O’Malley.

Likewise, Jack O’Malley and Killian Conway – both members of the Mayo Minor football team – have filled the boots of seniority vacated by players like Jack Dawson, Dan O’Malley and Conor Reynolds.

“We like to pass and get it wide but also if we’re under pressure we have Jack up top, who’s unbelievable to get us out from pressure to get the ball up to him. We can really switch up any way we want,” Jamie O’Malley reveals when asked about their style of play.

Brian Flannery, assistant to team manager Darragh Connolly, said that Rice College haven’t gone over the top in researching their opponents ahead of tomorrow's game.

“It’s more about focusing on what you do well and play your own style of football and that’s more or less the approach and adjust if you need to on the day. But we don’t get too bogged down on researching other teams or anything like that,” said Flannery.

FIXTURE

FAI Schools Tom Ticher National Junior Cup Final (U-17, Large Schools)

Rice College v Portmarnock Community School

Athlone Town AFC

Wednesday, April 17, at 1pm