By Ryan Campbell

NOTRE Dame’s high-flying under-14 boys’ football team will make the short journey to Parklea Playing Fields in Port Glasgow this afternoon hoping to lift the St Mirin Cup and taste victory for their school.

When they heard the final whistle at the end of their semi-final clash against what proved to be a formidable team from Gryffe High School, the Notre Dame boys breathed a sigh of relief after booking a well-earned place in today’s Cup Final with a 5-3 win over the Renfrewshire side.

The crucial victory came at a cost, however, when Notre Dame’s team captain, Zak Crombie, was rushed off the park after suffering a heartbreaking injury in the second half that keeps him out of today’s final. Having only recently recovered from earlier injuries, squad talisman Zak suffered a broken wrist and will cheer his team on from the touchline at today’s final against St Ninian’s High School, Giffnock.

The Notre Dame boys made a fast-paced, clinical start to the semi-final, securing an early goal when the ball was cleared up the line and landed at the feet of on-form striker, Aiden Gilmartin. The frontman confidently took his shot from 35 yards, looping the ball beautifully over the goalkeeper.

After several missed chances from the home side and a top quality save from Notre Dame’s goalkeeper, Rory Sweeney, Notre Dame eventually won a valuable corner. The result was an own goal after visiting Gryffe made a fatal error, allowing Notre Dame to go 2-0 up just before half-time.

The first chance of the second half fell to the visitors who lobbed the ball over Notre Dame’s defence before calmly placing it into the net to make it 2-1. The visitors carved out another chance, with nifty passing play on the edge of the box ending in an equaliser when the ball was placed into the bottom corner, to level the game at 2-2.

Notre Dame then stepped up the tempo of the game and soon found themselves back in control, bringing the score to 3-2. Another Notre Dame corner resulted in Chris Lepick heading the ball home from close range, bringing it to 4-2.

The final minutes of the nervy semi-final saw Notre Dame hit Gryffe on the counter attack and secure their fifth goal of the game. However, there was drama still to be had in the closing quarter when, shortly after Captain Zak Crombie’s injury, Gryffe clawed back a goal to make it 5-3 and keep Notre Dame on their toes. The goal didn’t affect the outcome of the match as Notre Dame fought well to earn their place in today’s final.

Everyone at Notre Dame wishes the boys the best of luck in today’s final!