Regent House 5
Aquinas GRAMMAR 2
NISFA NORTHERN IRELAND U-18
PLATE FINAL
Regent House lifted the Northern Ireland U-18 Plate for the third time in their history following a convincing over Aquinas Grammar.
Regent has a fine tradition in the NI Plate, having won it in both 2018 and 2019, and after losing last year’s semi-final on penalties, they were determined to win this season’s edition.
Confidence was high going into the final against Aquinas at the Bluebell Stadium in Lisburn, and that showed early on.
Regent started the game with intent and were immediately rewarded, when Northern Ireland Schoolboy international Jack Martindale latched on to a through ball and coolly dispatched it past the advancing Aquinas goalkeeper.
Martindale, who has recently signed a professional contract with Ards FC, almost had a second goal minutes later, but was denied by a fine save.
The rest of the first half was a cagey affair, which ebbed and flowed, but with Aquinas having more of the ball and putting pressure on the Regent backline, it was no surprise when they took advantage of a defensive mix-up and levelled the tie.
Regent hit back quickly, with Jake Morehead scoring a fine goal. Morehead clearly likes the big occasion, having also scored in last year’s Belfast and District School’s Cup triumph over Rathmore.
Aquinas almost equalised again, hitting the woodwork, before Regent took a slim 2-1 lead into the half-time break.
Regent coach Steven Cairnduff, who has now seen his team win six trophies in six seasons, changed the formation to deal with the growing Aquinas threat.
However, it was the school from south Belfast who almost levelled the game straight after the interval, with a goal disallowed for a very tight offside
Regent used their bench to great effect, introducing Ben Deveny, Caleb Thompson and Rory Kerr, who all made an immediate impact.
Deveny quickly scored what turned out to be a decisive third goal, with a fine finish, after good link-up play, and Caleb Thompson helped to keep the Regent backline formation tight.
Both Kerr and Stephen Kelly, who is also fresh from international duty with Northern Ireland Schoolboys, scored added more goals, sealing the win, and when Aquinas scored a second towards the end, it was merely a consolation.
Player of the match Alfie McKee was industrious throughout the game and is a fine example of what it actually takes to make this Regent House football team successful on a consistent basis, year in and year out – the players may change, but the winning mentality that has been created does not.
Steve Cathcart, Director of Football at Regent, was delighted with the comprehensive victory, as well as the boys’ effort and determination throughout the game
Captain Ryan Bailie, who exemplifies everything that is good about Regent football and has been a fine role model for his fellow teammates, has now played in three finals in the three years he has represented the U-18 team.
Bailie and everyone at Regent House will hope the season is not finished yet, as they are just one game away from winning the Grammar Schools’ League and have a chance to retain the Belfast School’s Cup, which they won for the first time in their history last year.
The Belfast Cup final, against NI Cup finalists and perennial achievers, Our Lady and St Patrick’s College Knock, will be played at Blanchflower Stadium on Wednesday, April 29, and promises to be quite the occasion.
