Burns the extra-time hero for St Patrick’s Athletic in U19 final
By Daire Walsh
St Patrick’s Athletic were crowned SSE Airtricity U19 League champions with a dramatic extra-time victory over Dublin rivals Bohemians at the UCD Bowl on Tuesday night.
The Gypsies were seeking to complete an underage double, having defeated Shamrock Rovers in the U17 decider on Monday.
For large stretches, it looked like a penalty shootout would be required in order to determine the final outcome of this contest.
That was until Pat’s were awarded a spot-kick with 118 minutes gone on the clock, following a foul on Ben McCormack.
One of the Saints’ best performers in the game, Darragh Burns stepped forward to fire beyond the reach of opposition netminder Kian Moore and thus ensure the title will reside in Inchicore during the Christmas period.
Both sides had their share of possession and chances in the early exchanges and the deadlock was eventually broken by Pat’s in the 33rd-minute.
Striker Kyle Robinson has been enjoying a prolific campaign for Jamie Moore’s charges and diverted home a Burns cross on the right-flank to give his side a strong platform.
Pat’s remained in the ascendancy at the break, but Bohemians fired back just six minutes after the resumption through Colin Kelly.
The same player rattled the woodwork in the dying stages of normal time, before forcing Saints custodian Josh Keeley into a fine one-on-one stop in the opening minute of the first additional period.
Due to tired legs on both teams, opportunities subsequently became few and far between. Yet when Burns was afforded the chance to become the St Pat’s hero, he delivered with considerable aplomb.