St. Joseph’s Boys’ School, Creggan will make history on Thursday as they take on Aquinas Grammar in the NI Schools U12 Plate Final at the Danny Blanchflower Stadium, Belfast.
History in the form of being the first father and son to reach a schools’ final with PE teacher and manager, Paul Gibbons, and his son and team captain, Kian. The Derry school head to Belfast with an excellent record in the early rounds, scoring 19 and only conceding two on the way to the final.
Notable scalps were fellow Derry school Oakgrove College (3-0), followed by Castlederg High School (6-0), a comprehensive drubbing of Wellington College by 9 goals to 2, and a narrow victory over Omagh CBS (1-0) in the semi-final.
The U12 squad have been putting in extra hours of training after school in the build-up to Thursday’s final which will be played at the Danny Blanchflower Stadium with a kick-off of 11.30am.
The boys hope to better their U6 team’s narrow loss to St. Malachy’s in last week’s Plate Final and manager Paul Gibbons believes they are more than capable of victory.
“To say I’m proud of this squad is an understatement,”explained the St. Joseph’s manager, “The character they have showed on this journey and how they have represented the school has been second to none.
“The football they have played at times has been exceptional and although the draw to reach the final has been tough, they fully deserve to be there. For me, this squad have been getting stronger as the competition progressed and Thursday is the last hurdle. I believe if they play to their full potential, they can bring back the trophy to the school.”
Coach Emmett McGinty also endorsed the team’s potential, believing their never-say-die’ attitude always shines throughout the team and squad.
“This was a very tough journey to the final for our squad of boys," added Mr McGinty, “Their never-say-die attitude has been first class throughout and I have been impressed by every single member of the squad who has given their all in efforts to reach cup final day. Indeed, I am delighted for the whole school community
as they all deserve a day out in supporting the team in bringing back the trophy to Creggan.”
Notable scalps were fellow Derry school Oakgrove College (3-0), followed by Castlederg High School (6-0), a comprehensive drubbing of Wellington College by 9 goals to 2, and a narrow victory over Omagh CBS (1-0) in the semi-final.
![Liam 'Giggsy' Gallagher (Forward) Club = Newell Academy: Liam has electric pace and this has tormented defenders this year. Top goalscorer and a natural finisher.](https://www.derryjournal.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjg5ZjA3ZDU3LWJhZDMtNGFiMS1hYjZiLTBhMDA2MDM0NTlhYTo4ZTk2OTgzMS05ZjQxLTRhZjktOTQ5OC05MjBkNGMxMzk1ZGQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
5. Liam ((Giggsy) Gallagher – Forward – Newell Academy – Liam has electric pace, and this has tormented defenders this year. Top goal scorer and a natural finisher.
Liam 'Giggsy' Gallagher (Forward) Club = Newell Academy: Liam has electric pace and this has tormented defenders this year. Top goalscorer and a natural finisher. Photo: Jim McCafferty
![Odhran Moreland (Defender) Club = Trojans A hard tackling centre half who is very comfortable on the ball. Has also played in midfield for the team.](https://www.derryjournal.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjY0YTg1OWZkLWFjMjktNGQ1ZS04OTE0LTA4NmI2YTYwYzQ1OTo2MjNmOGY1Yi0yYzIxLTRhNjQtOWI4Ny02OTA2NGRhMjBlZWE=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
6. Odhran Moreland – Defender – Trojans A hard tackling centre half who is very comfortable on the ball. Has also played in midfield for the team.
Odhran Moreland (Defender) Club = Trojans A hard tackling centre half who is very comfortable on the ball. Has also played in midfield for the team. Photo: Jim McCafferty
![Shane Woodrow (Defender) Club = Foyle Harps: A very attacking and aggressive full back who likes to go forward. Quiet and unassuming off the pitch but comes to life on it.](https://www.derryjournal.com/webimg/b25lY21zOmI1YTQ2MWNlLWY4ZDEtNDBhNS05NDI1LTJmOTI4NjY5ZDZhNDo4OGZlODk4OC02NmE1LTQyNjMtODU3YS0xNjY3MGY2NmVmNmY=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
7. Shane Woodrow (Defender) Club = Foyle Harps: A very attacking and aggressive full back who likes to go forward. Quiet and unassuming off the pitch but comes to life on it.
Shane Woodrow (Defender) Club = Foyle Harps: A very attacking and aggressive full back who likes to go forward. Quiet and unassuming off the pitch but comes to life on it. Photo: Jim McCafferty
![Caleb O’Doherty (Midfielder) Club = Don Boscos: A versatile player who has played in several positions for the team on the road to the final. Very composed on the ball and understands the game well.](https://www.derryjournal.com/webimg/b25lY21zOjFkM2U4MGEzLTc0MzctNDZmNy1iYWRmLTE0MWNlM2M1NTQyMToyNTQzZGUzNy1jMDY1LTQ0ZmItYjdjNi1jNmYzOTJiZmZhNTQ=.jpg?crop=3:2&width=640)
8. Caleb O’Doherty – Midfielder – Don Boscos - A versatile player who has played in several positions for the team on the road to the final. Very composed on the ball and understands the game well.
Caleb O’Doherty (Midfielder) Club = Don Boscos: A versatile player who has played in several positions for the team on the road to the final. Very composed on the ball and understands the game well. Photo: Jim McCafferty