North Dublin SL are the 2016 Super Cup NI Junior Section Salver champions after a penalty shootout win following a 1-1 draw with MS Select in Clough on Friday morning.
The Dubliners started the brighter of the two sides and thought they had taken the lead on eight minutes only for the referee to disallow the effort, adjudging that the MS Select goalkeeper had two hands on the ball when NDSL midfielder Callum Buchan kicked it from his grasp to score.
This did not deter the Irish side who duly took the lead two minutes later with a speculative long-range from winger Carl Rooney, a cross-come- shot from wide on the right that bamboozled the goalkeeper who misjudged the flight of the ball.
Rooney went close to doubling his side’s advantage after the break with a powerful free kick from all of 25 yards, but his effort was parried out for a corner by the ‘keeper. The second half was proving to be a drab affair but was livened up in superb style on 53 minutes when MS Select number 33 Arzan Todywalla scored a rocket from more than 30 yards out of absolutely nowhere to draw the two teams level and ultimately ensure a penalty shoot-out.
The shoot-out was nip and tuck but eventually it was North Dublin SL who kept their nerve to win in sudden death and lift the Salver trophy 4-3 on penalties. Congratulations to the Irish side who deserve their success whilst commiserations much go to MS Select who battled well in a close-fought game and just lost out in the lottery of penalty kicks.
Match Report by Jordan Miller. (@jordan_859)