Courtesy: FAI.ie


Saints Claim FAI Eircom Futsal League of Ireland title

Thursday, 03 April 2008

St. Pats claimed the FAI Futsal League of Ireland title and with it the first Eircom League trophy of the season. They will be worthy representatives of the Eircom league when they step onto the European Futsal stage next Autumn

The climax to the Eircom Futsal League of Ireland last weekend was everything that was expected and more with the country’s four top teams battling for the winner’s crown. A cheque for €10,000 and the right to be Ireland’s representative in the 2008/9 UEFA Futsal Cup proved to be a tasty carrot indeed and all four teams knew they needed to work very hard to earn the title.

A close affair involving Bray Wanderers and tournament favourites, St. Patrick’s Athletic eventually saw the Saintsedge out a gallant Bray side. Bray led by the Player of theTournament, Dane Massey proved to be a tough challenge for the highly fancied Saints but the experience of Pat’s Futsal specialists proved to be the clincher and they won through to the final.

The other semi final between Bohemians and Cork was aneven closer contest. Both teams were neck and neck in a tense but highly skilfulgame with the score tied at 4 – 4 with only minutes remaining. Despite the promptings of Cathal Lordan and Craig Duggan and the huge influence of David Myler, Cork were unable to oust a Gypsies side for whom Alan Lynch, Ian Byrne, Philip McDonagh and Brazilian playmaker, Junior were outstanding.

The scene was now set for an enthralling final between thetwo undisputed best Futsal sides in Ireland. St. Pats with their interesting mix of Polish and Brazilian Futsal specialists and Bohemians with a young, energetic side marshalled by the experience of Brazilian, Junior and Hungarian Marton Mucsanyi. The match proved a most exciting and tense encounter and indeed, a great advert for the game of Futsal.

Throughout the game, both sides traded attack after attack and Pats’ eventually took the lead when Alexandru Gutu scored from close range following good build up play.Saints were hanging on to their precious lead when a goal by the impressive Bohs striker, Alan Lynch sent the game into extra time.

In Futsal, sometimes just a momentary lapse of concentration can cost you the game and it proved to be the cause of Bohemians letting the title slip away to the experienced Pats side. Arthur Opeldus gave Pats the edge with minutes remaining with a fierce drive and Sergei Musteata ensured the Saints of victory when he dispossessed the hugely impressive Bohs’ keeper Keith Gallagher to finish from close range. And so, the Saints claimed the Futsal title and with itthe first Eircom League trophy of the season. They willbe worthy representatives of the Eircom league when they step onto the European Futsal stage next Autumn.






Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com