VIDEO: U13/U15 SFAI Subway Championship and Plate National Finals 2019/20 Season

The U13/U15 SFAI Subway Championship and Plate National Finals took centre stage in Mullingar last weekend, with four ties decided over two days in Gainstown.

Up first was the clash of Clare SSL and Galway SL in the U13 SFAI Subway Plate National Final, Galway edged the tie with two goals, one in either half to ensure the Plate returned home with them.

The U15 SFAI Subway Plate National Final featured Carlow JDL and Mayo SL, and with many of those who played in the SFAI New Balance Kennedy Cup semi-final back in June involved, it was sure to be a tight and tense affair.

Indeed, that is how it unfolded with just one goal for Carlow JDL separating two very strong teams.

On Sunday, the Cork SL and DDSL played for the U13 SFAI Subway Championship, and those in attendance were treated to a superb spectacle as the two sides showed their skill and ability.

The Cork SL, spurred on by the thoughts of bringing the Liam Miller Cup back to Cork for the first time came back from a goal down to win 2-1.

Donegal SL and Cork SL took to the field in the last final of the weekend, and Cork made it a double, clinching the U15 SFAI Subway Championship with a fine performance.

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THE DRAW: The SFAI Skechers National Cup Quarter and Semi Final Draws

The much anticipated draw for the SFAI Skechers National Cup quarter and semi finals took place on Friday evening in Mullingar.

Joined by representatives from Mullingar Athletic, SFAI Chairman John Earley hosted the five draws, and the full breakdown can be found below.

U12 Quarter Finals

Westport United v St Kevin’s Boys S3

Midleton FC v Kilmacrennan Celtic

Tullamore Town/Corduff FC v Ailsing Annacotty

Shamrock Rovers/Mervue United v Douglas Hall/Skerries Town

U12 Semi Finals

Midleton FC/Kilmacrennan Celtic v Westport United/St Kevin’s Boys S3

Shamrock Rovers/Mervue United or Douglas Hall/Skerries Town v Tullamore Town/Corduff FC or Aisling Annacotty

U13 Quarter Finals

St Kevin’s Boys/Illistrin FC v Mervue United

Aisling Annacotty/Tramore AFC v Kilcock Celtic

Willow Park v Cherry Orchard/Westport United

Corinthian Boys v Evergreen AFC

U13 Semi Finals

St Kevin’s Boys/Illistrin FC or Mervue United v Aisling Annacotty/Tramore AFC or Kilcock Celtic

Willow Park v Cherry Orchard/Westport United v Corinthian Boys v Evergreen AFC

U14 Quarter Finals

Castlebar Celtic/Corinthian Boys v Clane United/Shamrock Rovers

Mallow United/Donacarney Celtic v Home Farm

Cavan Shamrocks v Malahide United

Leixlip United v St Kevin’s Boys/Mervue United

U14 Semi Final

Castlebar Celtic/Corinthian Boys or Clane United/Shamrock Rovers v Mallow United/Donacarney Celtic or Home Farm

Leixlip United or St Kevin’s Boys/Mervue United v Cavan Shamrocks or Malahide United

U15 Quarter Finals

Midleton FC v Keadue Rovers/Ringmahon Rangers

Corinthian Boys v Peamount United/Cherry Orchard

St Francis v Kildimo United/St Mochtas

Glenmuir United v Newtown FC/St Kevin’s Boys

U15 Semi Finals

St Francis or Kildimo United/St Mochtas v Corinthian Boys or Peamount United/Cherry Orchard

Midleton FC or Keadue Rovers/Ringmahon Rangers v Glenmuir United or Newtown FC/St Kevin’s Boys

U16 Quarter Finals

Kiltimagh Knock United/Avenue United v Shannon Town or Bellurgan Utd/Barna Na Forba

Ringmahon Rangers v Athenry FC/Cherry Orchard

Carrigaline United v Mount Merrion/St Josephs Boys

Villa FC v Shelbourne Academy/Cappry Rover

U16 Semi Finals

Kiltimagh Knock United/Avenue United or Shannon Town or Bellurgan Utd/Barna Na Forba/Carrigaline United v Mount Merrion/St Josephs Boys

Ringmahon Rangers or Athenry FC/Cherry Orchard v Villa FC or Shelbourne Academy/Cappry Rover

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Mullingar ready to host U13/U15 SFAI Subway Championship and Plate National Finals

The finalists for the U13/U15 SFAI Subway Championship and Plate National Finals have now been confirmed following outstanding games being played this week.

All four finals in both the Championship and Plate competitions will be played at the home of Mullingar Athletic in Gainstown.

SFAI affiliated leagues have been competing since October in their provincial groups, and following the National semi-finals the focus quickly turns to Mullingar.

Saturday beings with Clare SSL and Galway SL facing off in the U13 SFAI Subway Plate National Final, and both teams have already proved their quality, with some impressive victories on their way to the final.

Clare narrowly overcame a very good Donegal SL team in their semi-finals, while galway travelled to the NDSL and returned home with a 2-0 win

Mayo SL and Carlow JDL will compete for the U15 SFAI Subway Plate, and Carlow will be aiming to make it two National Plate titles in a row having beaten North Tipperary in last season’s showpiece event.

On Sunday, one of the most eagerly anticipated ties of the weekend will see Cork SL and the DDSL go head-to-head in the U13 SFAI Subway Championship Final, which is a repeat of last year’s U12 National semi-final.

Cork SL went on to beat Donegal SL in the final, and Sunday’s tie promises to be one full of quality and good football as the two teams aim to win the Liam Miller Cup.

Cork SL also feature in the U15 SFAI Subway Championship Final, and they will play against Donegal SL 0- they beat a very strong Drogheda SCL team in their semi-final, while Cork SL beat Galway SL this week.

See the fixtures for the weekend ahead below…

Saturday 22nd February 2020

U13 SFAI Subway Plate National Final 12.30pm KO

Clare SSL v Galway SL

U15 SFAI Subway Plate National Final 3pm KO

Mayo SL v Carlow JDL

Sunday 23rd February 2020

U13 SFAI Subway Championship National Final (Liam Miller Cup) 12.30pm KO

Cork SL v DDSL

U15 SFAI Subway Championship National Final 3pm KO

Donegal v Cork SL

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UPDATE: SFAI Skechers National Cup Quarter Final and Semi Final draw date confirmed

The draws for the quarter-finals and semi-finals of the SFAI Skechers National Cups will take place this coming Friday evening, 21st February 2020 in Mullingar.

It is the SFAI’s intention to live stream the draws as has become the custom in recent years – exact times will be confirmed in due course.

Due to the poor weather in recent weeks, one Round of 32 tie still has to be played, while several Round of 16 ties across the ages are set to be played in the coming weeks.

In the U12 SFAI Skechers National Cup, St Kevin’s Boys Club, Midleton FC, Westport United, Kilmacrennan Celtic and Aisling Annacotty are already into the last eight.

Meanwhile in the U13 competition, Willow Park, Mervue United, Corinthian Boys, Kilcock Celtic and Evergreen have all booked their place in the quarter-finals.

The U14 SFAI Skechers National Cup has seen Malahide United, Leixlip United, Cavan Shamrock and Home Farm get through to the quarter-finals, while Midleton FC, Corinthian Boys, Glenmuir United and St Francis are awaiting the rest in the U15 competition.

Finally, Carrigaline United, Villa FC and Ringmahon Rangers have already ensured their spot in the U16 draw, while one outstanding game in the Round of 32 between Bellurgan United and Barna Na Forba still has to be played.

All other outstanding fixtures are due to the be played this coming weekend (Feb 22nd/23rd) and no later than Feb 29th/Mar 01st 2020.

Keep an eye on the SFAI’s social media channels for more updates on the draw later in the week.

Draw numbers will be shared prior to the draw as usual.

Quarter-Final ties are to be played on or before the weekend of 07th/08th March 2020.

Best of luck to all involved.

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VIDEO: DDSL v Sligo/Leitrim U13 SFAI Subway Championship National Semi-Final

The DDSL booked their place in the national final of the U13 SFAI Subway Championship last Sunday when they overcame Sligo/Leitrim in Abbotstown.

The sun shone for much of the tie, and the DDSL were in sparkling form, although the visitors proved their worth, with plenty of good football played by both teams.

Below are some highlights from the game….

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VIDEO: Freebooters AFC v Kilmacrennan Celtic U12 SFAI Skechers National Cup Round of 16

Although several SFAI Skechers National Cup ties fell to the poor weather last weekend, Donegal SL side Kilmacrennan Celtic made the trip down to Kilkenny the night before their U12 Round of 16 tie against Freebooters AFC and the game went ahead.

Both teams adjusted well to the blustery conditions, and the two sides scored a goal apiece in the opening couple of minutes of the second half.

Chances came and went before and after that, but with the match tied after extra-time, it was left to penalties, and it was the visitors who progressed.

Check out highlights from the game below….

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UPDATE: Rescheduled U13/U15 SFAI Subway Championship and Plate National Semi-Final details

Despite Storm Ciara, three of the eight scheduled U13/U15 SFAI Subway Championship and Plate National semi-finals did go ahead last weekend, with Clare SSL, Galway SL and Donegal SL all booking their places in Mullingar.

On Saturday the Donegal U15 side brought Drogheda SL’s historic run in the SFAI Subway Championship to an end, winning 2-1 in Drogheda IFE.

Robbie Murphy bagged both goals on a day when the blustery conditions did not deter either team from trying to play the game in the right way.

Elsewhere on Saturday, Galway SL travelled to the NDSL in the U13 SFAI Subway Plate National semi-final and returned home with a 2-0 victory after extra time.

They will play Clare SSL in the national final after they overcame Donegal SL on Sunday in Frank Healy Park.

Like Galway’s tie with the NDSL, extra-time was required in Ennis, and a breakaway attack saw the homeside score the all-important goal to win the game.

The other ties scheduled for last weekend, which were postponed due to Storm Ciara, will be played this coming weekend (Feb 15th/16th), with details below:

U13 SFAI Subway Championship National Semi-Finals

Cork SL v Mayo (16th February, 4pm, Ballea Astro, Carrigaline)

DDSL v Sligo/Leitrim (16th February, 12pm, Abbotstown)

U15 SFAI Subway Championship National Semi-Finals

Cork SL v Galway SL (16th February, 12pm, Ballea Astro, Carrigaline)

U15 SFAI Subway Plate National Semi-Finals

Mayo v Inishowen YSL (15th February, 2pm, Milebush)

Cork SL v Carlow (16th February, 1pm, Moneygourney)

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UPDATE: U13/U15 SFAI Subway Championship and Plate National semi-final details confirmed

The details for the U13 and U15 SFAI Subway Championship and Plate National semi-finals have now been confirmed.

Following the Munster semi-finals on Sunday, the line-up was complete, with Cork SL featuring in three semi-finals.

Their U13 team will be seeking to make it two national titles in a row, having picked up national honours last season.

The DDSL and Sligo/Leitrim feature in the other U13 Championship tie.

Elsewhere, the Mayo SL will play in both the U13 SFAI Subway Championship against Cork SL and U15 Plate semi versus Inishowen YSL. Cork SL and Carlow JDL make up the other pairing in the U15 Plate.

Clare SSL host Donegal and NDSL play Galway in the U13 SFAI National Subway Plate, while Drogheda SCL feature in the national rounds for the first time where they play Donegal at home in the U15 SFAI Subway Championship.

Fixtures to be played weekend of 8th/9th February

U13 SFAI Subway Championship National Semi-Finals

Cork SL v Mayo (9th February, 2pm, Ballea Astro, Carrigaline)

DDSL v Sligo/Leitrim (9th February, 2pm, Abbotstown)

U13 SFAI Subway Plate National Semi-Finals

Clare SSL v Donegal SL (9th February, 11.30am, Frank Healy Park)

NDSL v Galway (8th February, 4pm, Oscar Traynor Ctre)

U15 SFAI Subway Championship National Semi-Finals

Drogheda SCL v Donegal (8th February, 2pm, DIFE)

Cork SL v Galway SL (9th February, 12pm, Ballea Astro, Carrigaline)

U15 SFAI Subway Plate National Semi-Finals

Mayo v Inishowen YSL (8th February, 2.15pm, Milebush)

Cork SL v Carlow (9th February, 2pm, Moneygourney Astro Douglas)

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U13/U15 Munster SFAI Subway Championship and Plate Finals Preview

Mounthawk Park and Frank Healy Park will host the U13/U15 Munster SFAI Subway Championship and Plate Finals this Sunday, 02nd of February.

Cork SL will feature in both Championship Finals in Mounthawk Park, with Waterford SFL and Limerick District SL the opposition in the U13 and U15 showpiece events, respectively.

Beating Kerry SBGL in the their semi-final earned the Cork youngster their place, while Waterford overcame Limerick District in their semi.

Both teams proved their strength in the group stages before Christmas, and this Cork side will be aiming to go one better than last year when they narrowly lost the U12 national final against Donegal.

The U15 Munster SFAI Subway Championship Final between Cork SL (Athletic) and Limerick District SL will be another much anticipated tie, and the winners will feel they have a real chance of making the national finals with a semi-final home draw already confirmed.

Clare SSL will be playing in both the U13 and U15 Munster SFAI Subway Plate Finals in Frank Healy Park on Sunday, with Limerick Desmond and Cork SL (United) their opponents, respectively.

South Tipperary lost to Clare SSL in the U13 Munster semi-final, while the Desmond overcame neighbours Limerick County to earn their place.

Clare SSL also beat South Tipperary in the U15 Munster SFAI Subway Plate semi-final, and they will be up against Cork SL (United) after they narrowly beat Kerry SBGL.

Fixtures

U13 Munster SFAI Subway Championship Final

Cork SL v Waterford SFL – KO 2.30pm (Mounthawk Park)

U15 Munster SFAI Subway Championship Final

Cork SL v Limerick District – KO 12.30pm (Mounthawk Park)

U13 Munster SFAI Subway Plate Final

Clare SL v Limerick Desmond – KO 11.30am (Frank Healy Park)

U15 Munster SFAI Subway Plate Final

Clare SL v Cork SL – KO 2pm (Frank Healy Park)

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SFAI Connacht Skechers Regional Cup Finals set for this weekend

Lecarrow in Roscommon and Eamon Deacy Park in Galway will play host to the SFAI Connacht Skechers Regional Cup Finals this weekend, with an exciting schedule planned across Saturday and Sunday.

The U13 Final in Lecarrow will kick off proceedings on Saturday when Mervue United face Westport United in what should be one of the ties of the weekend – KO is 12 noon.

Both sides come into the final off the back of wins in the National Round of 32 last weekend, with Mervue beating Shelbourne away and Westport proving too strong for Drogheda Town (video highlights of that game below).

In the U15 SFAI Connacht Skechers Regional Cup Final, Mervue United will play Merville United, with that tie kicking off at 12.30pm.

Mervue will be hoping to bounce back from a penalty shootout loss to Peamount United last weekend in the National Round of 32, while for Merville, there was a home win against Gorey Rangers to see them through to the National Round of 16.

The last Final of the day on Saturday will pit Kiltimagh/Knock United against Athenry FC in the U16 SFAI Connacht Skechers Regional Cup Final – KO 2.30pm.

These two teams have already proven their strength in the earlier rounds, and wins in the National Round of 32 last weekend for them will mean they bounce into tomorrow’s Final in good form.

Mervue United will feature in both Finals on Sunday, meaning four of their teams have reached the finals – huge credit goes to all involved.

The opening game in Eamon Deacy Park will feature previously mentioned Mervue and Athenry FC in the U12 SFAI Connacht Skechers Regional Cup Final – KO is 12 noon.

Mervue’s win over Belvedere FC at home last weekend in the last 32 of the national competition will give them plenty of confidence going into Sunday’s showpiece event, while Athenry were narrowly beaten in the same round by Maree Oranmore.

The last game of the weekend will feature Mervue United and St Francis (Athlone) in the U14 SFAI Connacht Skechers Regional Cup Final – KO is 2pm.

Both teams, and their clubs have put a huge amount into this season, and Sunday’s Regional Final promises to bring the weekend to an exciting close.

Fixtures

U13

Mervue Utd v Wesport Utd – KO 12 noon (Lecarrow)

U15

Mervue Utd v Merville Utd – KO 12.30pm (Lecarrow)

U16

Kiltimagh/Knock Utd v Athenry FC – KO 2.30pm (Lecarrow)

U12

Mervue Utd v Athenry FC – 12 noon (EDP)

U14

Mervue Utd v St Francis Athlone – KO 2pm (EDP)

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