Bray Wanderers and St Patrick’s Athletic contest the final of the Enda McGuill Under-21 Cup at the Carlisle Grounds next Tuesday, 4 October.
John Finnegan’s young Bray charges face a stern challenge in the form of a talented St Patrick’s Athletic squad managed by former Pat’s captain Paul Osam.
His side has already accounted for Bohemians, UCD, Shelbourne and Mullingar Athletic on the way to Tuesday night’s decider.
Pat’s have reached the final once before, in 2003, but lost out 4-3 to Shelbourne.
However, this is all new territory to first-time finalists Bray whose run to the final saw them beat Belgrove, Dublin City, Cobh Ramblers and Sligo Rovers ands eclipse their previous best performance of reaching the second round of the cup.
Paths to the Final:
Bray Wanderers
1st Round: beat Belgrove 6-5 on penalties (1-1 AET)
2nd Round: beat Dublin City 9-8 on penalties (1-1 AET)
Quarter-final: beat Cobh Ramblers 3-1
Semi-final: beat Sligo Rovers 4-2
St Patrick’s Athletic
1st Round: beat Bohemians 5-4 on penalties (0-0 AET)
2nd Round: beat UCD 1-0
Quarter-final: beat Shelbourne 3-0
Semi-final: beat Mullingar Athletic 5-0
Previous Enda McGuill Under-21 Cup Finals
2001-02 Shelbourne 0 Waterford United 0 (aet, Waterford won 4-2 on penalties)
2002-03 Longford Town 4 Mervue United 2
2003 Shelbourne 4 St Patrick’s Athletic 3
2004 Cork City 3 Sligo/Leitrim League 0
