FOYLE CUP FINALS: Wonder strike gifts Glentoran Foyle Cup U12 victory

A STUNNING 30 yard strike from Mathew Carson decided the Foyle Cup Under-12 showpiece at Brandywell as Glentoran lifted the prestigious trophy in the second of three major finals on the day.

This talented Glentoran have now won at Under-10, Under-11 and now Under-12 in the last three Foyle Cup campaigns.

The Glens had the best of the chances throughout but Donegal striker, Adam Carr was in fine form and caused the Belfast side plenty of problems.

Glentoran were presented with a glorious chance three minutes after the kick-off when Jake Donaghy was sent clean through on goal but the Glens striker’s first touch was heavy inside the area allowing Donegal keeper, Oisin Farrel to gather the ball.

The Glens had the best of the early chances but Donegal striker, Adam Carr showed superb skill to jink past two defenders inside the penalty area but his low strike was saved by the feet of the keeper who put it behind.

Charlie Lindsay’s ambitious long range free-kick was saved comfortably by Farell on 15 minutes as Glentoran continued to push forward.

The Belfast boys came so close to an opener on 22 minutes when Aaron Wightman’s 25 yard shot was parried by the Donegal keeper. The ball fell kindly to Elliot Wood, who looked suspiciously offside, but the winger dragged his shot across goal and wide.

Glentoran were turning up the heat as half-time approached and when Wightman played Callum Marshall through on goal with a sublime pass, the Glens’ striker was quickly closed down by Farell and the chance was lost.

Donegal substitute, Niall McCrossan cleverly got in behind the Glens defence 10 minutes into the second half, after cutting in from the left but his low shot was saved bravely by the shins of the Glens keeper.

Lindsay’s shot on the turn from the edge of the box shaved the wrong side of the post as Glentoran began to come back into the game.

And the Belfast side broke the deadlock with a stunning strike from 35 yards from Mathew Carson which looped over the head of the keeper and nestled into net with 10 minutes to go. It was a stunning strike, worthy of winning any final.

Donegal did have one last chance to draw level in the dying moments but Harry Wilson cleared Niall McCrossan’s tame effort with the keeper out of position.

Glentoran - Dylan Graham; Joe Hopes, Justin Hill, Harry Wilson, Joshua Gray; Aaron Wightman, Mathew Carson, Charlie Lindsay, Elliott Wood; Jake Donaghy, Callum Marshall; Subs - Tyler Corbett, Daniel Larmour, Justin Hill, Morgan Maginnas.

Donegal Schoolboys - Oisin Farell; Lee Callan, Daire Ferry, Faoud Basher, Kyle McGeehan; Conor Campbell, Luke McGlynn, Aaron O’Shea, Ryan Creavy, Cathal McGeever; Adam Carr; Subs - Adam McHugh, Niall McCrossan, Rory McGrenera, Oisin Harkin, Oran Fallon, Gary Kelly.