Croke hat-trick fires St Mary’s into last eight of Connacht Cup
St Mary’s College 4
St Joseph’s College 0
St Mary’s College advanced to the quarter-finals of the Connacht Schools’ Senior Cup on Monday with a comprehensive victory over city rivals, The Bish.
The two sides were also competing for the Walter Burke Cup, which they play for each year in memory of the late St Mary’s teacher, who was instrumental in introducing soccer to the city college in the early 1970s.
The game was played in St Mary’s, and the home team were the dominant side for much of the opening half, deservedly taking the lead through centre-forward, Sean Croke, on 25 minutes, when he cooly finished following a determined run into the Bish penalty area.
Soon after, St Joseph’s Ben Lavelle had a good effort well-saved by St Mary’s goalkeeper Rykelmy Rodriques, before Croke doubled the St Mary’s lead just before half-time when he was put through by a wonderful defence-splitting pass from Irish U-16 basketball player, Paul Kelly.
The pace of the game slowed after the interval, and chances for both teams were few and far between. However, Croke completed his hat-trick on 64 minutes when he converted from the penalty spot, having been fouled himself.
St Joseph’s Adam Nolan went close to scoring from a corner in the closing stages, before the home side had the final say, when Francely Lomboto scored a stunning goal from outside the box which rocketed into the top corner.
Best for the Bish were Ben Lavelle, Adam Nolan and Paul Lally; while St Mary’s were well served by Sean Croke, Blake Cummins, Francely Lomboto, and team captain, Dion Walsh.