There was great drama and excitement in Oakland Park this evening, as the Donegal U12 schoolboys advanced to the final of the Foyle Cup after defeating Derry City Colts after a penalty shoot-out.
Adrian McLaughlin was the Donegal hero as he pulled off two magnificent saves in the shoot-out to send his side through to the final.
Donegal started this game in blistering fashion and could have been ahead after just two minutes.
Great individual play from Conor Black had the Derry defence mesmerized and the Kilmacrennan youngster was unlucky to see his shot go narrowly wide.
In the opening twenty minutes Donegal were utterly outstanding, moving the ball all around the pitch with fluency and precision and with a purpose.
However they squandered chance after chance much to the frustration of managers James Doherty and Mel O’Donnell and the Donegal supporters in attendance.
Manager Kevin McHugh couldn’t make the match as he was in Tolka Park with Finn Harps as they earned a battling 1-1 draw with Shelbourne.
Then Derry City Colts scored a goal completely against the run of play on the stroke of half-time.
A dangerous ball floated into the area wasn’t dealt with properly by the Donegal defence and Derry went ahead.
Donegal responded well and got back on level terms ten minutes into the second period through a wonderful free-kick from Jack Murphy.
Murphy was thirty yards out but unleashed an unstoppable effort to make it all square.
Derry City Colts responded well and were much better in the second-half and created two great chances, thankfully for Donegal they failed to take them.
In the end the sides couldn’t be separated and the game went to penalties.
The first six penalties were all scored, then Donegal’s Jamie Grant missed his penalty and Derry were in the driving seat.
However up step the hero, up step Adrian McLaughlin, who produced a fantastic save to keep Donegal in it.
The next four penalties were scored and in sudden death McLaughlin produced another peach of a save that left the crowd in awe at the young keeper’s heroics.
His save sparked frenzied celebration among the Donegal players, management and supporters.
They now face a Cavan/Monaghan select side tomorrow at 1.15pm at the Brandywell.
The other Donegal Schoolboys representatives have done fantastic with the u13’s and u14’s both defeating Celtic to reach finals.
While the u15’s have also reached the final.
A fantastic achievement by all sides and we wish them all the best of luck tomorrow in the finals.
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