A classy display from Dean Byrne, with the Belvedere striker scoring a hat-trick, helped Larkin Community College retain the Perpetual Cup in the final of the VEC SCC Minor Boys 6-a-side Soccer Blitz. The tournament was held last Wednesday at a cold and windy Coláiste íde in the heart of Finglas.

After lifting the cup, Larkin's captain Jamie Abbot summed up his team's overall performance in the competition.

"We played well and we did well in all the games," he said.

"We should have done a bit better in not conceding any goals but the defence and the team work were good.

"It's my first year in the college and we're winning loads of cups and medals so I'm delighted."

Larkin's dominance throughout the group stage saw them go into the final as firm favourites. Their opponents had booked their spot with a draw against Coláiste Dhúlaigh in their last game.

There was plenty of action early on as Larkin's Jordan Lee O'Connor got on the end of Byrne's pass but his shot failed to hit the target.

Seconds later, however, Byrne made no mistake when he cut inside from the left before curling his shot into the top corner.

Deployed

Kevin's top scorer Daniel 'Chipper' Hennessy was deployed in goal for the final following a wrist injury to their keeper, Devan McCann, and it was Hennessy who picked the ball out of the net following Byrne's second goal inside two minutes.

The Saint's first real chance fell to Stephen Harmon having been set up by his twin brother, Thomas, and then seconds later the Crumlin United midfielder's free-kick failed to trouble Abbot.

Larkin punished the Crumlin college's misses when Josh McMahon found the net and with half-time approaching Cian Dunne added a fourth.

After the restart a great run and cross from Byrne set up Jason Dixon for a tap in, and that effectively ended any chances of a comeback for the Clogher Road team.

Byrne's hat-trick came after his low drive hit the back of the net moments later.

Kevin's got on the score sheet from a Stephen Harmon free-kick, which was just reward for not dropping their heads despite the uphill battle they faced. However, Dixon then added a seventh for Larkin.

Larkin Community College panel: Jamie Abbot, Jason Dixon, Cian O'Donnell, Cian Dunne, Jordan Lee O'Connor, Jordan Towell, Dean Byrne, Josh McMahon.

St Kevin's College panel: Devan McCann, Terence Geraghty, Thomas Harmon, Karl Dowdall, Stephen Harmon, Ryan Doherty, Lee Sherlock, Jordan Doyle, Kyle Dunphy, Daniel Hennessy.

- Louise Browne