- OUR PARTNERS
The St Kevin's Boys Academy Cup takes up residence in Spain for the first time as Deportivo La Coruna emerged victorious after three days of tense and exciting football as yet again our Tournament proved to be a great success.
The champions opened their run of games with a 5-2 win over West Bromwich Albion where they were under pressure for the first fifteen minutes or so but three goals in quick succession before half time really put the issue beyond doubt. Fielding a much changed line up from their first game Deportivo were over-run by Arsenal in their second group game going down 4-1 but qualifying as group runners up for a semi final clash with Celtic.
This was one of the best games of the tournament with drama coming in injury time when Deportivo took the lead through Daniel Anon Puente but their joy was short lived as Celtic equalized when Sam Denham scored with a brilliant header in the dying seconds. They were faultless in the execution of their penalties in the shoot-out scoring all five and with goalkeeper Manuel Jimenez Lorda saving Celtics third penalty it was enough to seal their final spot.
And so to the final which was a repeat of Saturday's group game between the sides with Arsenal as Deportivos opponents. Arsenal had blitzed through Group 2 scoring nine goals and conceding just one but were made to work hard by St Kevin's Boys in the semi final having to overcome a nail biting penalty shoot out to win 12-11 and so book their place in the final.
The final contained some fine passages of play but few clear cut chances although Arsenal will feel aggrieved when they felt they should have had a penalty in the closing stages. In the penalty shoot out Deportivo again made no mistakes scoring their 5 penalties - the final one from Damian Noya Tojo sparked wild celebration from the Deportivo players, coaches and supporters.
The individual awards of the Tournament were also close run affairs with a Jose Suarez Rodriguez "Fito" hat trick in the opening game giving him the leading goal scorer of the tournament ahead of ex SKB player Armstrong Okoflex who is now the main striker with Arsenal.
Goalkeeper of the Tournament was also a close run thing but Cian Lacchia's performance for SKB in the semi final against Arsenal clinched it for him ahead of Tom Smith of Arsenal.
Player of the Tournament went to Roque Gonzalez Delgado the number 2 from Deportivo who just shaded the award ahead of Celtic's number 7 Karamoko Dembele.
SKB finished in third place through a Warren Curran goal which was enough to defeat Celtic who again proved to be an excellent side with some exciting players on view. West Bromwich Albion finished 5th after coming from behind to draw 1-1 with Benfica and ultimately winning the penalty shoot out 5-4.
Thanks to the four match officials Alan Patchell, George Victory, Oliver Moran and Lorcan White for their efforts over the weekend and to all of our members who volunteered for the numerous duties that is involved in ensuring that the Tournament runs successfully.
Looking forward to 2016!!
