A MARK HIGGINS header was enough for Sheriff YC to claim the FAI Junior Cup at the Aviva Stadium this afternoon.
Higgins’ goal capped a professional performance from the Dublin side who were deserved winners on the day.
Sheriff boss Alan Reilly named an unchanged team from his side’s semi-final victory over Limerick based Janesboro, with John Lester dictating things from his holding midfield role.
Mick Shiels opted to play Cian Collins on the right hand side of his 4-2-3-1 system to accommodate lone striker Garry Higgins, with Steven McGann operating in the space behind him.
The opening few moments were edgy, with both Pike and Sheriff settling into the occasion.
Darren Dunne carried a lot of ball into dangerous areas for the Dublin outfit, but their real joy came down the left with Higgins and Kevin Lynch running at Wayne O’Donovan.
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Pa Mullins was the main reason for Sheriff being kept at bay in the early stages, with experienced ex-League of Ireland midfielder Wayne Colbert spreading play well in central areas.
Sean O'Callaghan and Sean Murphy of Sheriff battle for possession. Donall Farmer / INPHO
Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO
The first big chance of the game fell to Jonathan Rock after half an hour, but he blasted over from four yards out with the goal at his mercy.
His blushes were to be spared only three minutes later however as Sheriff hit the front.
Sean Murphy’s cross was inch perfect for the head of in-rushing winger Higgins and he powered his header past Gary Neville.
Sheriff’s lead should have been doubled 10 minutes into the second half.
Nice interplay in midfield led to Darren O’Brien breaking through on goal. He was pulled back but opted to stay on his feet. He then looped the ball over Neville but couldn’t keep his header down – with an open goal at his mercy.
Pike failed to carve out too many chances in the second half despite seeing a larger share of possession.
However, just three minutes from time, Sean O’Callaghan struck an effort from the edge of the box, but it just trickled wide of the left hand post.
Pike Rovers: Gary Neville; Wayne O’Donovan, Pa Mullins, Sean O’Callaghan, Edward O’Donovan; Wayne Colbert, Shane Walsh (Jason Mullins, 46); John Connery, Steven McGann (Paddy O’Malley, 62), Cian Collins; Garry Higgins (Colin Daly, 57).
Sheriff YC: Lee Murphy; Paul Murphy, Anthony Kavanagh, Joe O’Neill, Kevin Lynch; John Lester; Sean Murphy (Stewart Glen, 83), Darren Dunne, Darren O’Brien, Mark Higgins (Thomas Dunne, 81); Jonathan Rock.
Referee: Jonathan Walsh.
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Dublin club Sheriff YC claim FAI Junior Cup glory at the Aviva Stadium
Sheriff YC 1
Pike Rovers 0
A MARK HIGGINS header was enough for Sheriff YC to claim the FAI Junior Cup at the Aviva Stadium this afternoon.
Higgins’ goal capped a professional performance from the Dublin side who were deserved winners on the day.
Sheriff boss Alan Reilly named an unchanged team from his side’s semi-final victory over Limerick based Janesboro, with John Lester dictating things from his holding midfield role.
Mick Shiels opted to play Cian Collins on the right hand side of his 4-2-3-1 system to accommodate lone striker Garry Higgins, with Steven McGann operating in the space behind him.
The opening few moments were edgy, with both Pike and Sheriff settling into the occasion.
Darren Dunne carried a lot of ball into dangerous areas for the Dublin outfit, but their real joy came down the left with Higgins and Kevin Lynch running at Wayne O’Donovan.
Pa Mullins was the main reason for Sheriff being kept at bay in the early stages, with experienced ex-League of Ireland midfielder Wayne Colbert spreading play well in central areas.
The first big chance of the game fell to Jonathan Rock after half an hour, but he blasted over from four yards out with the goal at his mercy.
His blushes were to be spared only three minutes later however as Sheriff hit the front.
Sean Murphy’s cross was inch perfect for the head of in-rushing winger Higgins and he powered his header past Gary Neville.
Sheriff’s lead should have been doubled 10 minutes into the second half.
Nice interplay in midfield led to Darren O’Brien breaking through on goal. He was pulled back but opted to stay on his feet. He then looped the ball over Neville but couldn’t keep his header down – with an open goal at his mercy.
Pike failed to carve out too many chances in the second half despite seeing a larger share of possession.
However, just three minutes from time, Sean O’Callaghan struck an effort from the edge of the box, but it just trickled wide of the left hand post.
Pike Rovers: Gary Neville; Wayne O’Donovan, Pa Mullins, Sean O’Callaghan, Edward O’Donovan; Wayne Colbert, Shane Walsh (Jason Mullins, 46); John Connery, Steven McGann (Paddy O’Malley, 62), Cian Collins; Garry Higgins (Colin Daly, 57).
Sheriff YC: Lee Murphy; Paul Murphy, Anthony Kavanagh, Joe O’Neill, Kevin Lynch; John Lester; Sean Murphy (Stewart Glen, 83), Darren Dunne, Darren O’Brien, Mark Higgins (Thomas Dunne, 81); Jonathan Rock.
Referee: Jonathan Walsh.
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Champions FAI Junior Cup Pike Rovers Sheriff YC