College Corinthians have won their first ever FAI Youth Cup after a 2-1 win at Eamonn Deacy Park on Sunday afternoon with the sides being separated in extra-time.

In the opening quarter of an hour Corinthians’ Kai O’Neill showed some great skill in midfield to move the ball forward with the winger drawing a save from Jason Daly, while Mervue’s Jack Kelly fired over from distance.

O’Neill was a danger on the left once again in the 20th minute with some industrious work to drill a cross inside the box to Padraig McGrath, the striker managed to control the ball well before firing wide.

Mervue advanced up the field on the half hour mark courtesy of a mazy Mark Leahy run from his own half, the midfielder did extremely well on the ball before being dispossessed with Kelly managing to run and shoot the loose ball but being denied by a save.

Minutes before half-time, Ty Corcoran threaded a pass into the box to the ever dangerous O’Neill who took a touch and fired past the goalkeeper with the ball clipping the upright before crossing the line.

In the second half Jason Daly denied Dylan O’Sullivan when the Corinthians player struck a rasping shot, at the other end Ramond Foley Kiss had to be alert when Mervue’s Takaza shot from outside the box.

Leahy played Sean Nnadi through in the box just before the hour mark, but the forward had his shot deflected behind for a corner-kick as Corinthians began to show strong defensive resolve in this contest.

With just ten minutes to go Mervue United had several corners, the pressure eventually paid off as Darragh King crossed the ball to  Dawit Dems Woldemariam who blasted the ball into the net from close range.

McGrath had a chance to put Corinthians back in front in the 87th minute, his effort looked destined for the top corner, but Daly pulled off a magnificent save to keep the sides level.

In the fifth minute of extra-time Corinthians took the lead again, a great cross from the right wing and found its way to O’Neill at the back post who placed it in the bottom corner to a rapturous ovation from their travelling support.

Christian Ryan would go close for Mervue with a free-kick in the 107th minute but the ball sailed inches wide of the post and Corinthians would hold out for the win.

Mervue United: Jason Daly; Lee Traynor-Curley (Houssein Kassem Tlaiss, 96), Atson de Siakam (Jake Cunningham, 53), Christian Ryan, Cillian Faherty; David Kilraine, Fergal Takaza (Darragh King, 80), Jack Kelly, Sean Nnadi, Mark Leahy (Joey Cunningham, 75); Dawit Dems Woldermariam.

Subs not used:  Kian Dooley, Mark Economopoulos, Kian Kirrane.

Booked: Joey Cunningham (92).

College Corinthians: Raymond Foley Kiss; Daniel Mellerick (Jayden Adair-Bell, 56), Billy Higgins, Connor Gardiner, Samuel Dow; Kai O’Neill (James O’Sullivan, 104), Kealan Crowe, Joseph Mouret (Harry Jeffers, 84); Ty Corcoran (Shane Fielding, 77), Dylan O’Sullivan (Conor Redmond, 100); Padraig McGrath.

Subs not used:  Jamie Dullea, Sam Murphy.

Booked: Jayden Adair-Bell (94)

Referee: Ruben Collins.