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Gerry Donnelly Cup

Dublin v Belfast

Wednesday 25 November 2009

AUL, Dublin

The Dublin and District Schoolboys League retained the Gerry Donnelly Cup by defeating the Belfast and District Schools Under 18 team on penalties after a keenly contested game at the AUL in Dublin.

Despite playing against a strong wind Belfast keeper Jack Duffin was rarely troubled.  However, on 22 minutes the home team went in front when the Belfast defence failed to clear a long throw in from the left and Derek Kierans netted with a low drive which gave Duffin no chance.

Just before the break Craig Walsh doubled the lead when he crashed a right foot shot just inside the post from 15 yards.

On the hour Jude Winchester reduced the leeway with a well placed shot from 15 yards following neat interplay by Ross Cowan and Matty Johnstone.

Belfast attacked strongly with Cowan having a header cleared off the line while Niall Quinn was inches off target with a left foot drive.  In the final minutes Jude Winchester added his second goal when he collected a pass from Johnstone and rifled the ball into the corner of the net.

 Maxol Direct fuels schools’ football 

Schools’ football received a boost this week with the announcement that Maxol Direct, the Province’s leading fuel company, has renewed the sponsorship of the Belfast and District Senior Cup for a further year. 

The Mallusk based firm is pumping a four figure sum into the promotion of the competition with special incentives for the successful teams in the later rounds and a “Man of the Match” award for the St. Patrick’s Day final. 

At the sponsorship presentation Paul Hackett, General Manager & Director of Maxol Direct, stated, “Maxol Direct is delighted to continue the sponsorship of the Senior Cup. This is the nineteenth year in which we have sponsored the event. That is the longest period of support by a commercial company for youth sport and we are pleased that Maxol Direct has played an important part in the development of schools’ football in the Greater Belfast area”. 

Thanking Maxol Direct for their renewed support, Belfast Chairman Mark Watson replied “This has been a long and fruitful partnership between Maxol Direct and the Belfast Secondary Schools FA. I pay tribute to Maxol Direct for the commitment they have shown to schools’ football over a prolonged period and their continued backing is greatly appreciated”. 

Over the 19 years Model and De La Salle have dominated the competition. On only two occasions has the traditional St. Patrick’s Day final not had a team from either of these schools participating. Model lifted the trophy two years ago and they are strongly fancied to go all the way again. Such is their strength in depth that they have entered two teams. While the ‘A’ team has received a bye the ‘B’ team will receive St. Patrick’s from Lisburn and it will be no surprise if Model has two sides through to the last sixteen. 

There was a surprise last season when Fort Hill lifted the trophy for the first time and the Lisburn school will be keen to hold on to the cup. They have been given a bye in next week’s opening round and will begin the defence of their title in November. 

The meeting of Grosvenor and St. Malachy’s is the pick of next week’s ties. Grosvenor has enjoyed considerable success at Under 18 level, winning the cup and league on several occasions, but has never managed to collect the Senior Cup. St. Malachy’s were runners up last season and will be a force again. It should be a cracking match and a replay may be needed to separate two well matched teams. 

De La Salle are also involved in the opening round. They welcome Dunmurry and should progress to the next stage. 

Two derby ties are sure to generate a lot of interest. Rathmore will receive Laurelhill while Dundonald play host to neighbours Our Lady and St. Patrick’s College.