13 April 2010

The Annual Hooper Cup Represenative game between the CFAI and the IUFU took place today Tuesday 13th April at Oscar Traynor Centre, Coolock. The IUFU won 2-1.

First half goals from Enda Dunne and Dave McGrath were enough to give new manager Paul Clarke the perfect start in his first game in charge as the Irish Universites comfortably regained the Hooper Cup from the Colleges FAI  at the Oscar Traynor Centre.

Dunne worked his way  to the back line on  12 minutes and  fired  in a low left footed  drive from  a tight angle that beat goalkeeper Kevin Burns with the help of a deflection.

The Universities were well on top with  Ciaran Foley controlling midfield  and they stretched their lead on the half hour when the unmarked Dave McGrath headed firmly past Burns from Alex Lee’s fine right wing cross.  

A much improved second half show from the Colleges saw Niall McCabe and Davy O’Sullivan go close.While later skipper Liam Collins and Liam Lynch both tested Niall O’Carroll in the Universities goal.

But with  the Conneely brothers Martin and Under 21 International  Seamus plus Michael McSweeney  and Brian Cleary outstanding at the back  the Universities gave little away until McCabe  managed to beat O’Carroll with a diving header in the final minute.

For Photos from the day click here.

Colleges FAI: K Burns, S Moynihan (S Fitzgerald 63), V Ekanem,E Browne, A McCann (N McCabe ht), S Keely, P Doohan (K Crehan ht), L Collins, D Ledwith, L Lynch, D O’Sullivan (T Elms 68).Subs not used:C Hurley, P Carey.

Irish Universities: N O’Carroll, S Conneely, M McSweeney M Conneely (C O’Shaughnessy 85), B Cleary, A Lee (P O’Brien 64), C Foley, C Mooney, E Dunne (P Reilly 64), M Gilmore (C Burke 52), D McGrath.Subs not used: L Grant.

Referee: T McGuinness (Dublin).