BOSS Carl Fletcher revealed how the commitment shown by Gavin Kilkenny typified the character in his youth-team squad following the 2-1 cup final victory over Luton Town at Vitality Stadium.

Having played 65 minutes in Ireland under-17s' 2-0 win over hosts Cyprus on Monday afternoon, the young winger jetted home to start for Cherries in the Youth Alliance Cup southern section final little more than 24 hours later.

And the highly-rated 17-year-old duly matched his team-mates' efforts on the pitch before being substituted late on, goals from Jaidon Anthony and Charlie Seaman having earlier seen Cherries overturn a one-goal deficit.

Explaining the chain of events, Fletcher told the Daily Echo: "Gav flew back on Tuesday morning and got a cab down from London, had a quick nap and then played nearly the whole game. I never thought he'd do that long!

"That just shows the character in the squad. The guys want to do well for each other."

Reflecting on the overall display, Fletcher added: "I'm really pleased for the lads. It was a lot for them to take in to be playing on that pitch, under lights in a final in front of 1,400 people.

"From my point of view, I felt we could have played a little bit better. In possession we weren't quite at the level we would look for. We showed little glimpses but needed more consistency in that area.

"Their goal almost did us a favour because we started off a bit nervously. Conceding took the shackles off. We scored two good team goals, which I was really pleased with.

"Taking everything into account, I'm pleased the lads dug it out and got the win for themselves."

Cherries are now due to take on Wigan in a national showdown, with the date and venue yet to be finalised.

Fletcher said: "That will be another good test. It will be a great experience for the lads to play a team with a different outlook on football.

"In every game the lads play, we are looking for improvement as a team and individually and it will be another great opportunity for the guys to do that."

Jack Snelus put Luton in front with fewer than six minutes on the clock, tucking home the rebound after keeper Will Dennis had parried his initial shot.

However, the hosts swiftly levelled when Nathan Clements fed Anthony and he calmly slotted past Liam Gooch.

Fletcher's side then seized the initiative with the third goal of the first half, a well worked set-piece. Antonio Diaz's corner to the edge of the box was dummied and Seaman fired into the net with the aid of a deflection.

Cherries: Dennis, York, Sherring, Camp, Seaman, Ofoborh, Taylor (Boote, 81), Diaz, Anthony (Glover, 41), Kilkenny (Nippard, 90), Clements (Scrimshaw, 81). Unused sub: Ward.