Academy
- Monday October 31st, 2022 @ 11:55
U19 Cup Final Preview
St Patrick's Athletic will face Bohemians in the U19 Enda McGuill Cup Final on Tuesday night.
Dalymount Park will host the decider, with kick-off set for 7.30pm, admission is FREE.
St Pat's have already won the EA Sports U19 National League title and will be looking to add the Enda McGuill Cup to the trophy cabinet at Richmond Park.
The Saints and Bohemians have met twice in the league so far this season, with St Pat's winning both games 2-1.
St Pat's and Bohs have had lots a great battles over the years at the various different age groups in Leagues and Cups, so this is another chapter in that rivalry.
We sat down with Assistant Manager Niall Cully to look ahead of the game:
"These are the games we need our young players to play in, everything we do is about readying them for the first team, so it's a brilliant opportunity for them to play under a little bit of pressure in front of a big crowd in the final. I'd encourage them to continue to get on the ball, run hard and show their abilities.
There has been nothing between the teams in the two league games so far, we've had a couple of very tight games, so I expect Tuesday to be no different."
Cully has been involved on the U19 coaching staff since 2019, is hoping the young players embrace and enjoy the opportunity:
"We've had a large number of Academy graduates in recent years, lots of them have made their senior debuts over the last couple of seasons, this provides a good example to those who have made their debuts and those are are striving to, we'd like to see that trend continue.
It's great to see the progression they are making in their careers and their lives away from football, it's important that we help to develop their individual qualities both on and off the pitch that will help them to have a successful life."
Niall has also been speaking about the wider aims of being involved in Academy football:
"Ultimately we want to see as many of the lads as possible develop into senior players and have career at St Pat's or elsewhere, as lots have done already, It's important that we try to replicate what they will face when they hopefully step into senior level.
We have a young group with a number of players who have progressed through our Academy in recent seasons, all of the staff and coaches in the Academy have played a part in their journey so far.
Bohemians also put a lot of time and effort into their Academy, and have had a lot of their young players step into their first-team which is great to see.
Myself, Sean, Webby and Isaac are very proud of the hard work and effort they have all put in on and off the pitch, and the contribution their friends and family make to help them, we'll be doing our best to come out on the right side of the result on Tuesday night, which would be a great reward for everyone."
With the game taking place at Bohemians' home ground, Dalymount Park, Cully is hopeful the Super Saints fans will turn up in force to cheer the team on as the club bids to win the U19 FAI Cup for the first time:
"We've had massive crowds supporting the first team this season, especially away from home, so having a good Pat's support at Dalymount will provide the lads even more encouragement to go and perform.
Hopefully it will be another memorable moment for the club."
Kick-off at Dalymount Park is at 7.30pm and admission is FREE.
Photo credit: Matthew Lysaght
