Belvedere FC lifted the FAI U17 Cup following an impressive 3-1 victory over Midleton at Turner’s Cross in an entertaining final.

Blake Robinson Hogan got the deciding goal in the 85th minute as the Cork side pushed for an equaliser. That followed an explosive first half that saw Jamie Brennan and Jack Higgins give the Dubliners a 2-0 lead and Midleton's Max Murphy pull a goal back. 

It was end to end, and it was Belvedere who took control of the game early on by going in front in the 4th minute.  

That came from a free-kick on the right, and Brennan’s in-swinging ball floated in at the St Anne’s End. 

The Dubliners doubled their advantage when James Ryan teed up Robinson Hogan for a shot that was pushed out to Higgins for an easy finish in front of the posts in the 17th minute. 

Midleton immediately retaliated by winning a corner, and Murphy’s header was scrambled over the goal-line to make it 2-1 in the 21st minute. 

Chances to equalise fell to James O’Meara and Rian Thornhill before the break each time they were denied by Sean Burke.  

The game restarted with Bobby Doyle trying his luck from point blank range, and Colm Noonan punched this away for Midleton.  

Higgins got into a similar position in the 69th minute and this was blocked down inside the area. 

These clear-cut moments got rarer and rarer as the game progressed, and the weight of the occasion was fully realised.  

Ben Fitzgerald almost single handedly led Midleton’s quest for an equaliser, with the midfielder constantly running and trying to find Senan Finn and Alex McSweeney.  

Belvedere soaked up everything that was thrown their way with a back-line that was marshalled by Rudy Flood.  

When the Dubliners tried breaking, Lewis Bruton burst through and Sean Og Madden went in to win the ball back for Midleton as last man back in the 75th minute.  

Belvedere came through this unscathed and secured the win with a Bruton corner that Robinson Hogan turned in with five minutes to go to lift the FAI U17 Cup for the ninth time in their history.

Midleton FC: Colm Noonan; Dara Birdthistle, Liam Lynch, Max Murphy, Luke McDonnell, Ben Fitzgerald, Sean Og Madden, Cillian Scanlon (Charlie McCarthy 76), Rian Thornhill (Owen Noonan 51), Alex McSweeney, James O’Meara (Alex Murphy 83).  

Belvedere FC: Sean Burke; Evan Fulham, Jamie Brennan, Rudy Flood, Bobby Doyle (Richard Donnelly 89), Lewis Bruton, Blake Robinson Hogan (Logan Moloney 84), Jack Higgins (Charlie Gordon 82), James Ryan (Harry McCabe 89), Jack Ryan (Liam Norris 46), Senan Finn. 

Referee:  Shane O’Donoghue