Emmet Rowley stars at Rice College advance to provincial decider

St. Gerald’s College, Castlebar 0

Rice College, Westport 2

 

RICE College, Westport, booked a Connaught Under-17 Schools Cup final date with St. Joseph’s College, Galway (The Bish), after a 2-0 victory over their Castlebar counterparts at a cold Milebush Park this afternoon, writes NIGEL NAUGHTON.

Rice College put an early stamp of authority on the encounter when Emmet Rowley opened his side's account after three minutes.

He reacted quickest to Luke Dawson turning a ball over the top, racing past the Gerald’s back four, before keeping his composure to slot coolly past goalkeeper Ryan Corrigan from a tight angle.

The result was put to bed a quarter of an hour from the end when Emmet Rowley dropped into space to receive a throw in from Darragh Fabby – his movement creating space for Gareth Jordan to run forward.

Rowley found him with a perfectly weighted pass, before Jordan’s powerful effort made its way past Corrigan and into the net.

Rice College continued to be disciplined, while the second goal really knocked the stuffing out of any potential St. Gerald’s comeback.

One would have to commend Rice College for their mature performance, as well as their organisation without the ball, and energy on the day.

For St. Gerald’s, they will be frustrated that they never played to their potential, but this talented group of players will be back.

St. Gerald’s College: R. Corrigan, R. Baynes, B. Walsh, R. Nevin, C. Gavin, C. Coyne, B. Edeh, A. McHale, T. Baba, D. Fadden, L. Whyte.

Rice College: C. Kennedy, D. Fabby, M. Moran, R. Brickenden, P. Lambert, C. McAllister, L. Dawson, G. Jordan, E. Rowley, J. Keane, J. Kelly.

Subs used: J. Carney, O. Moran.

Ref: John Mulroe.

Star rating: Pat Lambert. . .mature, composed and fantastic organisational skills.