Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair aiming to win through to another national U-17 decider

The first of this year’s FAI National U-17s Boys Small Schools Cup semi-finals will take place this Thursday with holders Pobalscoil Ghaoth Dobhair facing off against St. Kilian’s DS, Clonskeagh at Gortakeegan, Monaghan (kick-off, 1pm).  

The Ghaoth Dobhair scholars have had a tough journey so far in the competition defeating teams such as Colaiste Ailigh (4-2) and Colaiste Oiriall whom they beat in the Ulster Final with a late effort from Cathal McGee in a five-goal thriller.

Pobalscoil have scored 13 goals in their last three games with striker Brian McFadden leading the line with six so far in the competition.

Pobalscoil are a well set-up team with ball-playing centre backs, technical midfielders and they also possess pinpoint passers and pacey wingers on the flanks.

The manager of the team, Padraig McGinley, has led the U-17 schools team to two consecutive National Cup titles and he hopes this crop can get to the final this week and hopefully make it a hattrick.

“The boys are definitely capable of winning and I'm looking forward to the game on Thursday”. 

“We have a good team that competes every day they go out. There have been a few close matches along the way but the boys have managed to come out on top each time. 

“There’s two more hurdles left to scale now and I know they’ll give it absolutely everything”.

Dublin outfit St Kilian’s defeated Ard Scoil Chiarain Naofa, Clara in the Leinster decider to qualify for the last four in the national competition.