LAST UPDATE | 17 Oct 2020
SAM CURTIS MADE history today when the 14-year-old became the youngest player to make a senior debut in Shamrock Rovers’ storied history.
The defender erases team-mate Kevin Zefi’s name from the history books, Zefi incidentally also featured as a sub in today’s SSE Airtricity First Division game against Athlone Town.
Curtis does not turn 15 until 1 December. He had an excellent game as Rovers II won 3-1, coming from behind following Ciaran Grogan’s 19th minute opener for Athlone.
Eleven minutes later the scores were level – Brandon Kavanagh with the assist, Thomas Oluwa with the smart finish.
Kavanagh then got in on the scoring act himself – putting Rovers 2-1 ahead on 40 minutes with his ninth goal of the season before Oluwa got their third, with 31 minutes left on the clock.
Athlone keeper, Aaron Myles, made good saves from Dean McMenamy, Michael Leddy and Dean Williams but the day will be remembered for the 14-year-old who got his senior career under way.
Elsewhere, Longford Town’s play-off hopes suffered a setback when they lost 1-0 to Cobh Ramblers.
⚽️ O’Leary ➡️ Turner ➡️ Back of the Net
— Cobh Ramblers FC (@CobhRamblersFC) October 17, 2020
🎥 - @LongfordTownFC pic.twitter.com/IWZ890iPzK
Ian Turner’s 48th minute winner secured the win for Cobh after he collected Stephen O’Leary’s diagonal, well judged pass to score.
Longford are fourth, Cobh fifth, both still hoping to secure a play-off place.