Bohemians will host St. Patrick's Athletic at Dalymount Park in the SSE Airtricity U19 League Final. The final will see the Dublin clubs go against each other to compete for the SSE Airtricity U19 League title on Wednesday, November 1st with kick-of
Bohemians will host St. Patrick's Athletic at Dalymount Park in the SSE Airtricity U19 League Final.
The final will see the Dublin clubs go against each other to compete for the SSE Airtricity U19 League title on Wednesday, November 1st with kick-off at 7.30pm at Dalymount Park.
Pats sealed their passage to the final this weekend with an incredible 7-4 victory over UCD in the semi-final. Pats went into a 5-1 lead thanks to goals from Callum Keane, Cian Hughes and an own goal from Neil Farrugia. A brace from Sean McDonald and a Simon Power strike brought UCD firmly back into it with four minutes remaining at 5-4 but two late strikes from Jason Grouse sealed a remarkable victory.
Pats reached the semi-final thanks to a narrow 1-0 victory over Cobh Ramblers having finished fourth in the SSE Airtricity U19 Northern Elite Division. St. Patrick's Athletic U19 Manager Garrett Dodrill believes anything can happen in knock-out and is looking forward to the test.
Dodrill said: "We're all really looking forward to it. It's going to be a great occasion for the players and after coming through two tough games in the quarter-final and the semi-final.
"We went into a 5-1 lead and then the lads thought they were playing Under-10s football once again, and everyone was piling forward trying to get the goals. To be fair to them, UCD came back really strong and if they got another goal after their fourth, there was only going to be one winner.
"Luckily, we got two goals on the break to get to the final. We went down to Cobh for the quarter-finals, who had won their section, and had to really battle to a 1-0 win. We may've finished fourth in our division but in knock-out football, anything can happen.
"We've had some good battles with Bohs so far this year, they beat us at our place and we beat them at their place, so I know it's going to be another great game and the players are really looking forward to it. Hopefully, we can get a few fans to make the short trip and support the lads at Dalymount."
They'll be facing the team which finished top of the SSE Airtricity U19 Northern Elite Division, Bohemians. Graham Lawlor's side secured a 2-1 victory over Limerick in the quarter-finals before another narrow victory in the semi-finals, a 1-0 win over Sligo Rovers.
Bohemians U19 manager Lawlor has praised his team for reaching the final and hopes a good crowd can come out to get behind the team.
Lawlor said: "It's been another great year for under-age football. I feel the quality across the league has really gone up and it's been great to see a number of teams progress as the season has gone on.
"The players have had another fantastic season and to finish top of our division is a great achievement in itself. We've then come through two tough teams in Limerick and Sligo Rovers to reach the final and it would be great if they could cap off a great season with a win.
"It obviously adds a little something extra when you are playing a derby and I'm sure Pats will bring a few fans to Dalymount with them. Pats have had a really good season themselves, coming through a difficult semi-final only a few days ago.
"We've had a number of players go up to the first-team throughout the year so I think it shows how well the entire squad has done as the first-team manager Keith Long is great for promoting the youth.
"We had several players involved in the final game of the season which was great but now we need to focus and hopefully end the season with some silverware."
SSE Airtricity U19 League Final
Bohemians v St. Patrick's Athletic
Dalymount Park
Wednesday, November 1st
K.O 7.30pm
