KDUL Youth Cup Semifinal – Clane Utd v Portlaoise, 13/5/24
Full Time: Clane Utd 3 – 1 Portlaoise Competition: KDUL Youth Cup Venue: Doctors Road, Clane Co.Kildare The two top premier sides met in youth cup semi final in Clane on Monday night.Clane stared game very slowly and were very lucky to keep game level in the first twenty minutes where Clane keeper Calum Mooney pulled off an incredible double save but Clane then started to settle into the game and create a few chances themselves as half wore on.Just as half time approached Portlaoise broke quickly and a cool finish from just outside the box put them 1-0 up.As second half started Clane midfield of Moore,o Loughlin,mooney and Fitzpatrick started to grab control of the middle as wasn’t long before James Moore ran on to a bouncing ball and stroked it to net to level things up.Clane now were on top and the back four led by captain Riann o Neill snuffed out any Portlaoise attacks.The introduction of James o Donaghue midway through second half changed the game in Clane favour, a Clane attack found its way to Fitzpatrick on the left,he cut inside his man and had a shot which somehow managed to evade the keeper and into the net to put Clane 2-1 up.Some great play by o Donaghue on the right allowed him to pass to Darragh mullahy just inside the box and he rifled his shot to back of the net and game was effectively over as Clane saw out remaining minutes to set up mouthwatering clash with Clane u17’s in the final. Clane had many fine performances but head and shoulders above everyone was Eddie o Loughlin who was excellent in midfield.
