Loreto Milford seal All-Ireland glory in Athlone

Loreto Community School, Milford……..2

Midleton CBS…………………………………….1

LORETO Community School, Milford have captured the FAI Schools Minor Boys National Cup title after a superb victory over ten-man Midleton CBS in Athlone today.

Hugo Cooper and Darragh Edwards scored the crucial goals in the game for Loreto.

Midleton pulled a goal back but Loreto held on for glory in a tense finale.

There was an electric atmosphere in the ground for the game as both sets of supporters made themselves known.

Midleton were the better side early on and forced Loreto goalkeeper Jake Morgan into two decent saves.

Loreto stood firm defensively and then grabbed the lead in the 18^th minute.

Jamie O’Donnell showed good feet down the left flank and crossed into Hugo Cooper who took a touch and then fired low into the bottom corner.

The towering Morgan had to make a great save as he tipped Roan Kelleher’s effort onto the post.

Cooper had a chance to double Loreto’s side after a great run but just couldn’t find the desired finish.

Despite that, Gary Doherty and Emphrim McFadden’s side were 1-0 up at the break and were roared into the dressing rooms by their loyal supporters.

The Cork side brought on Eolann Deane at the break and it took him only four minutes to put the ball in the net at the back post.

However, he was adjudged to have been standing in an offside position when he shot.

That was a let-off for Loreto but they almost grabbed a second goal in the 47^th minute.

Jamie O’Donnell took advantage of some hesitant defending to get in behind the Midleton defence but his effort just drifted to the wrong side of the post.

A big moment then arrived in the 51^st minute when Cooper powered his way through again and was unceremoniously hacked down by Sam Lacy Tortora, who was shown a straight red card.

The free-kick occurred just outside the box but that didn’t deter Darragh Edwards who curled a brilliant effort low to the net.

That appeared to be that but Midleton struck back in the 65^th minute with a stunning goal from left-back Harry Jaworski.

Loreto didn’t panic and they closed the game out with minimum fuss and it wasn’t long before their supporters were invading the field.