Simsons double helps four-star Portlaoise see off Corbally in SFAI quarter-finals
The Portlaoise players celebrate a goal in their SFAI U14 Trophy Quarter-Final victory.
On a perfect afternoon for football, Portlaoise U14s hosted Corbally in the SFAI quarter-finals, determined to continue their impressive run.
Portlaoise came out firing from the first whistle. Within a minute, Mikuss Simsons’ blistering pace put him one-on-one with the goalkeeper, who produced a brilliant save to keep the score level. Simsons wasn’t finished, slicing through the back line again, only to be denied once more by the keeper.
The breakthrough finally came from an indirect free kick. Jack Ryan’s clever layoff found Ryan Bawa, whose shot curled perfectly into the top-right corner to give Portlaoise the lead Riding the momentum.
Portlaoise pressed on and centre-half Kyle McEvoy doubled the home side’s lead, rifling home a loose ball from a superb Harry Ryan corner. The hosts struck again shortly after. Winning back possession, Simsons burst behind the defense once more and calmly slotted the ball at the near post to extend the lead.
Noah Clear was called into action, producing a tremendous save to deny Corbally from long range. Portlaoise quickly threw bodies in front of every attempt, showing their commitment and determination.
At the back, Tyler Whelan, Kyle McEvoy, Zac Bowe, and Harry Mulhare were rock-solid, while Tafara Zhou and Harry Ryan covered every blade of grass to drive the team forward.
Zac Bowe came closest to adding to the lead before half time, but his long-range effort kept out by the Corbally goalkeeper, moments after Bowe had made a goal-saving challenge of his own down the other end.
The second half was a more evenly contested affair, with both sides fighting hard for every inch of the pitch.
The introduction of fresh legs - Simon Okiereke, Michal Dzienwonski, Cameron Agoro, Tadgh Bohan, Noah Meagher, and Harry Loughlin - helped Portlaoise maintain their intensity throughout.
Portlaoise extended their lead through Simsons, who muscled past a defender and rounded the goalkeeper to slot home his second of the game, following a precise through ball from Harry Loughlin.
Corbally refused to lie down, dominating the final 20 minutes. Grantus Jankus made a series of crucial saves to relieve the pressure.
But the away side’s persistence eventually paid off, as Corbally pulled a goal back from a well-taken corner. Moments later, they struck again from another set piece, capitalizing on a Portlaoise failure to clear the ball, drilling it low and hard into the net.
Despite the late surge, Portlaoise defended with grit and determination, repelling Corbally’s final attempts to secure a 4-2 victory. The win sends Portlaoise through to the SFAI Semi-Finals.
