Historic scenes of unbridled sporting joy unfolded in Jackson Park on Sunday afternoon as St Joseph’s FC defeated Home Farm to claim the prestigious U15 SFAI national title.
Before a passionate travelling support, goals from Dylan Dennehy, Timothy Tselapedi and Leon Nolan ensured the Cushla Park based team achieved deserved silverware, in the process becoming the first underage club from Athlone to win a SFAI national cup.
Founded in 1998, the achievement on Sunday afternoon is the pinnacle of the club’s 25 year history with the fruition of many hours of coaching volunteerism realising much sought after national success for this particular crop of players.
Speaking to the Athlone Advertiser on Tuesday morning, team manager, Davy Cummins, who, with Padraig Moran and Conor Foley, guided St Joseph’s to this historic success, commended the commitment of the players during a season which has now realised a national title.
“It is the pinnacle of schoolboy football in our country to win a SFAI national cup and we believed that with this special group of players we definitely had the capability to do so. We reached the last 32 of the SFAI competition last season so it was a matter of instilling further belief in the squad to enable the players to achieve this goal,” Davy enthused.
Both Davy and Padraig have coached this particular squad of players for nine years, a union which came to fruition at a Clann na Gael GAA match in Ballyhaunis.
“Both Padraig and I were asked to get involved nine years ago and now we have just reward for all the coaching hours given to these players. The reaction to our win on Sunday certainly makes it all worthwhile and we have received well wishes from so many League of Ireland clubs in the aftermath and it is great to hear so many within the football community making contact to acknowledge our success. This win will bond the players together long into the future and will be a sporting moment which they will forever cherish.” Davy added.
Reflecting on the game, Davy and his co-management were very optimistic pre kick-off and even when Home Farm levelled proceedings he felt that they would go on and win the contest.
“We are very solid in defence and I always believed that we would score on the day. We knew we would have to absorb pressure, but were more than capable to be positive in our play on the counter attack. Our set piece delivery was excellent throughout and was rewarded with two goals from exceptional deliveries,” Davy remarked.
Upon their return to Athlone on Sunday evening, this stellar achievement was duly recognised as large numbers gathered on the town bridge to welcome home the players and management, whom, in unison walked from east to west, traversing the bridge with the prized silverware.
All at the Athlone Advertiser wish to congratulate the management and players on this historic success! Enjoy the celebrations!
