Rice College triumph over St. Muredach’s in thrilling all-Mayo Connacht final

By Caoimhín Rowland

Rice College, Westport 3

St. Muredach’s College, Ballina 1

FAI Connacht Under 17 A Final

Umbro Park, Milebush was set alight on Friday afternoon in a pulsating encounter as Rice College emerged victorious over north Mayo rivals St. Muredach’s College. After the Westport side came from behind against their north Mayo rivals.

With a final score of 3-1, Rice College proved to be supreme provincial champions as their prowess on the pitch was propelled by two outstanding second-half goals from the dynamic duo of Simeon Popov and Jack O’Malley, leaving the Moy men stunned.

The encounter kicked off with St. Muredach’s drawing first blood, courtesy of a brilliant finish from Corey Lavery-McCay, just inside the first 10 minutes the goal set the stage for a fiercely contested battle. However, Rice College's swiftly responded, towering striker Jack O’Malley executed a strike for his side shortly after the Ballina men scored, ensuring the scoreboard remained deadlocked.

The contest intensified as Lavery-McCay’s skillful wing play for St. Muredach’s threatened Rice College's defence, providing ample opportunities for his teammates. Yet, despite their efforts, Rice College's resilience held firm, thwarting each advancing wave from their opponents. After the equaliser the game grew sloppy, conditions made it difficult and it became clear physicality would be crucial to claim victory.

As the second half unfolded, Rice College's Simeon Popov stepped up to the plate, seizing a corner opportunity with precision, glancing a header into the astroturf and past the line, propelling his team into the lead. The jubilant scenes that followed were tempered only by the referee’s booking of Rice College goalkeeper Michael McDonnell, whose exuberant celebrations were deemed excessive.

With the momentum firmly in their favour, Rice College pressed forward, with O’Malley once again putting on a tireless show, he ran the line on several occasions and his engine never looked like tiring. He was eager to get back on the scoresheet to finish the contest and this time he did so with help from Westport United team mate Simeon Popov in assistance. A cross from full-back Sean Casey was whipped into the box and O’Malley collected it on his boot and sent a sublime lob over the Muredach’s 'keeper, further extending their lead and gifting an insurance marker to Rice College, FAI Schools Cup glory firmly in their grasp.

St. Muredach’s fought valiantly in the closing stages, an effort from Kenzie McKee failed to materialise after a goalmouth scramble but Rice College's defensive solidity proved insurmountable, denying their rivals any significant breakthrough. Despite a last-ditch effort, St. Muredach’s ultimately fell short, conceding defeat to the dominant Rice College side.

Rice College now set their sights on the semi-finals, where they will face Ulster competition on March 19. Their performance today, marked by standout displays from several key players, particularly Popov and O’Malley, serves as a testament to the quality on show in the county as the school now go on to represent Mayo in the last four of the competition.