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  • Thursday November 2nd, 2017 @ 15:13

U19s Result: Bohemians 1 - St Pat's 0

Bohemians lifted the SSE Airtricity U19 League title after a narrow 1-0 win over Dublin rivals St. Patrick's Athletic in the final at Dalymount Park.

Steven Nolan scored the only goal of the game just after the break as keeper Kian Clarke made a number of late saves to keep a crucial clean sheet.

The home side welcomed Republic of Ireland U19 international Warren O'Hora to the starting line-up for the final, but it was the away side who had the best chances in the first 45 minutes.

Just before the half-hour, Luke Heeney's right-sided free-kick found Callum Keane in the area but he couldn't direct his flick goal-wards from six yards out.

Two minutes before the break, Pats should have gone ahead when Michael Creggan turned his defender on the left to cut-back across the goal but he couldn't find the on-rushing Heeney as the two teams went in level at the break.

Six minutes after the break, Bohemians took the lead. Substitute Cian Fay beat his defender to get to the byline and his low cross was fired home by Steven Nolan from six yards out.

Nolan almost added a second with 25 minutes remaining when Pats failed to clear a left-sided corner and it dropped for Nolan but he saw his shot well-blocked by Ciaran Kelly before keeper Eric Donnelly claimed.

Pats piled on the pressure in the last 20 minutes and really should have levelled the tie through substitute Jason Grouse. A long-ball cleared up-field saw Grouse get to the ball before keeper Clarke but Andrew Lyons was back on the line to block the striker's effort.

Clarke was at the centre of the action once again in the 78th minute as Pats forward Michael Creggan won the ball on the edge of the area, turned and his powerful effort forced a one-handed save out of the Bohs keeper.

The home side should have sealed the tie with three minutes remaining as Fay directed his header over from three yards before keeper Clarke ensured Bohemians would lift the SSE Airtricity U19 League title. Substitute Clinton Apos, who had only been on the pitch a matter of seconds, climbed highest to direct his header towards the top corner but Clarke somehow clawed it away with just a minute remaining.

Bohemians U19 manager Graham Lawlor said: "It was a tough victory in the end, a real Bohemians-style win where we had to grind it out and work really hard towards the end.

"Pats are a really good side and had a few chances towards the end but we defended really well, and when we created the chance to score, we took it and ultimately, that wins us the title.

"I think it is a great reward for the entire club. The U17s were unlucky in the final on Monday and the first-team have had a great season so to claim that bit of silverware right at the end of the season caps off a really special year for the club. We've now got to look after this group of players and make sure they continue to develop."

Bohemians: Clarke (GK), Lyons, Kirk (C), Wilson, O'Hora (Bregazzi 62), Morgan, McMullan (Fay 22), Thornton, Grant (Kavanagh 90), Hamilton, Nolan (Marku 85).
Subs: McCarthy (GK), Wilson, Camara.

St Patrick's Athletic: Donnelly (GK), McNally, Cleary, Kelly, Heeney (Byrne 82), Lennon, Creggan, Keane (Brady 82), Hughes (McAdams 59), Quinn (Grouse 65), Rock (Apos 87).
Subs: Maher (GK), O'Shea.

Next Fixture

Minnesota United / March 20th @ 12:00am
Competition: Friendly
Venue: Allianz Field, Saint Paul
 
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Derry City611
Sligo Rovers69
Waterford FC68
Galway United FC67
Bohemian FC57
Shamrock Rovers56
St Patrick's Athletic66
Drogheda United54
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St Patrick's Athletic FC

Founded in 1929 the 'Saints' are the current FAI Cup holders and play in the Premier Division of the SSE Airtricity League at Richmond Park, in Inchicore Dublin 8, Ireland.

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