Kanturk AFC’s Eoin Looney will captain the Cork Youth League team as they face the Dublin & District Schoolboys’/girls’ League (DDSL) in the 2026 FAI Youth Inter-League Cup Final on Saturday, February 14, at 2pm in St. Colman’s Park, Cobh.
A spokesperson for Kanturk AFC told Mallow District Live that the club is extremely proud of Looney’s achievement. They praised his attitude, commitment, and talent, describing him as one of the most outstanding players in the club’s history. “For him to be captaining the youth team is an unbelievable achievement. His work rate and skill are as good as we have seen in this club, and we wish him all the best in the final,” the spokesperson said.
Cork Youth League has been dominant in the competition over the past decade, winning five trophies since 2016, and now has the chance to claim back-to-back titles. The squad’s route to the final included victories over Clare District League, Limerick District (decided on penalties), and Donegal Underage League, while the DDSL team enters the match having conceded just once and scored 23 goals in reaching the final.
Cork manager Conor Murray said the team is eager and ready for the challenge, acknowledging the quality of the DDSL squad and expecting a close, competitive match. DDSL manager Alan Murphy also highlighted the difficulty of facing Cork at St. Colman’s Park, praising the home side for their style and noting that the match could be decided by a single moment of quality.
The Cork Youth League squad includes goalkeepers Cillian Beale O’Shaughnessy (Carrigaline United) and Zach Lynch Healy (Leeds AFC); defenders Daniel Brennan, Max Murphy, Dara Birdthistle, Scott Busteed, Liam Lynch, Olan Taffe, and Cian O’Callaghan; midfielders Ronan Murray, Craig Nolan, Ben Fitzgerald, Warren O’Mahony, Darragh Sheehan, and Joey Fielding; and forwards James Grayem, Matthew Kiernan, Cian O’Flynn, Alex Bollard, Eoin Looney, JJ Foley, and Rian Thornhill.
Kick-off for the final is at 2pm, with live updates available via the FAI Connect app.