The Virgin Media eLOI finals brought together some of Ireland's finest gamers on a thrilling night of FC 24 action in the Camden in Dublin on Thursday.
Eight clubs were represented in the finals, with quarter-finals, semi-finals, and a final laid out to determine the eLOI champion for 2024.
In front of an ardent crowd at the Camden, it was UCD's JP Sleator who triumphed on a brilliant night of action.
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Thrilling Virgin Media eLOI finals take place in Dublin's Camden
At the quarter-final phase, Cobh Ramblers, Wexford FC, Waterford, and Shamrock Rovers were all eliminated, leaving a last four of Dundalk, UCD, Cork City, and Drogheda United.
The highlight of the semi-final ties saw Dundalk's Eric Finn (aka Xampl FC) come up against JP Sleator of UCD. It was a truly back-and-forth contest which ultimately ended in a dramatic 3-3 draw. UCD pushed into the ascendancy in extra-time and, though Finn would fight back, JP Sleator progressed to the last four on a 5-4 margin after the extra period.
In the other semi-final, Cork City's Ciaran Walsh came up against Drogheda United's Owen Mulligan. Walsh took a decisive victory for Cork, eliminating Drogheda's Mulligan 4-2 to progress to the final.
Welly took an early lead in the decider through Kylian Mbappé before Sleator equalised shortly thereafter but the best moment of the night was still to come. In a moment of outrageous skill, Welly would restore Cork City's lead with an audacious strike direct from a corner courtesy of Kevin de Bruyne (the goal occurs at 2:41:00 in the above video). Katie McCabe-esque stuff.
The sides were level again at half-time, and there were to be no goals in the second half or in extra-time, as penalties were required to separate the finalists.
There were some flawless spot-kicks on show - so much so that the pair nearly reached their goalies before Cork's Théo Hernandez missed to set up Sleator to win with Chiedozie Ogbene.
It was a thrilling conclusion to a brilliant night at the Virgin Media eLOI finals, and UCD's JP Sleator was a worthy champion.
"Going into the final, I just felt like I could win it the whole time!"
Following an exhilarating final, we caught a word with @UCDAFC's JP Sleator, who last night was crowned champion of the 2024 Virgin Media ELOI👏
| @VirginMediaIE #ItsPlaytime pic.twitter.com/qn5nbDPlSR— Balls.ie (@ballsdotie) April 19, 2024
Immediately after being crowned Virgin Media eLOI champion, JP spoke to us at the Camden to give his reaction:
It's amazing. I had to play the quarter-finals against a player that won the eLOI before, the semi-finals as well [against] the guy that won it last year. Going into the final, I just felt like I could win it the whole time. I'm glad I did, anyway.
I was clinical with my chances [in the final]. I don't think I was the better player, I was a bit nervous. Then in extra-time, I sorta played for pens. I got lucky with pens - but I won at the end of the day, that's all that matters!
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