We begin this week by congratulating our magnificent Under 13’A’s, who on Monday evening last at the Greenhills, clinched the Division One League Title following a thrilling 5-1 victory against fellow title challengers Shannon Town. The Town entered the game knowing nothing short of a win would suffice to keep alive their title hopes (this would bring Fairview Rgs back into the equation necessitating a three way play off for the title). That scenario didn’t materialise however as our lads took a grip on the game from the outset and went on to produce a complete display - probably their best of the season – to win convincingly. The sides had drawn 2-2 in Shannon at the end of August in a hard-fought contest while just last week we had met in the Divisional Cup, victory going our way on a 2-0 score line. Monday evening’s game was equally absorbing but the script was radically different as we took the lead in the very first minute. Central midfielder, Stephen O’Halloran, who was superb throughout, played the ball through from the middle of the park and frontman Killian Dineen, showing electrifying pace raced through nudging the ball past Town keeper Kyle O’Callaghan in the process before slotting to the net for a sensational goal. On twenty minutes we struck again, midfielder Conor O’Shaughnessy, another outstanding performer on the night, was the architect – his through ball setting Killian Dineen off on an incredible mazy run that left a number of defenders floundering before finding the net. Five minutes later we stretched our lead to three, the in-form Ben Frost racing onto Conor O’Shaughnessy’s diagonal ball from the left before firing past the advancing O’Callaghan. Whatever hopes the visitors had of pulling the game out of the fire were extinguished when early in the second half that man, Dineen, raced onto a pass by Mark Moylan down the left making a scintillating run that saw him side step a defender before squeezing the ball just inside the upright to complete a wonderful hat trick. The Town pulled one back but it proved no more than a consolation as Ben Frost’s twenty yard left foot strike made it 5-1 and crowned a glorious evening for Anthony Frost, Donal O’Halloran and Co. Our defence was outstanding on the night with Sean McInerney and Co. thwarting the Town attack time and again. As already stated it was a complete performance. Our line-up was: Kevin O’Grady; Shane Harney; Mark Moylan; Sean McInerney; Keith Dempsey; Ben Frost; Conor O’Shaughnessy; Stephen O’Halloran; Jordan Freeman; Ian Leonard; Killian Dineen Reserves: Ben Irwin; John O’Connor; Niall Barrett (all used) Other panel members include Rhys Dunne and Eoin Lynch both on the injured list. After the game Gerry Flynn of the Schoolboy Council was on hand to present the League trophy to team captain Shane Harney amid scenes of celebrations. Referee Andrew Keogh did a fine job. Our league record reads: Played 12, Won 9, Drew 1 and Lost 2. We play Limerick FC in the Cup Final in a few weeks’ time. Our Juniors travelled to Kilmallock on Saturday evening to take on a hitherto unbeaten Kilmallock Utd side that are in the shake up for the Division 1’A’ title along with promotion to the Premier League. We ourselves maintain an outside chance of promotion having plundered a 2-0 victory. The home side had the greater amount of possession throughout but Pa Sheahan, Darragh Purtill and Co. were resolute in their defending and we kept a clean sheet. Brian Shorten gave us the lead midway through the first half heading home a Keith Doran free kick. Our second arrived ten minutes from the end, Karl Meehan firing home following an assist by Stephen Collins. Our team was: Mark Linnane; Brian Shorten; Gary Bateman; Pa Sheahan; Darragh Purtill; Cian Williams; Keith Doran; Stephen Collins; Keith O’Shea; Gordon McKevitt; Karl Meehan Reserves: Ralph Judge; Pa Hall (both used) There was no joy for our U17s who bowed out of the Division 1 Cup on Sunday afternoon going down 3-2 at the hands of a well-organised, physically strong Coonagh Utd side at the Greenhills. There wasn’t a lot between the sides in the opening half with few clear-cut chances being created. Stand-in keeper, Gearoid Brennan (who was outstanding throughout) saved a point blank shot at one stage while Marcus McManemy was denied by the hard tackling Coonagh defence at the other end of the field. Two minutes after the restart the visitors struck a wonder goal - Jim Ryan netting from way out on the right wing. Five minutes later defensive slackness allowed Ian Considine to plunder a close-range second and our task became extremely difficult. We kept plugging and probing (we had strong penalty claims for handball turned down) and were rewarded late on – in the 86th minute to be precise when David Broderick played the lively Peter Casey through and he netted in style. Within a minute Shane Redmond got in for Coonagh’s third. Well into injury time Marcus McManemy scored a superb striker’s goal to narrow the gap but in the remaining minute or two we couldn’t fashion an equaliser. There wasn’t a lot between the sides really. The game was played in an excellent spirit and we wish Coonagh the best of luck in the decider. Our team was: Gearoid Brennan; Mike McDonagh; Steve Staunton; David Broderick; Luke Moylan; Jamie Moore; Jason Callinan; Nathan Fox; Rioghan Butler; Peter Casey; Mardcus McManeny Subs used: Hugo McDonald Schoolboy Soccer: Under 15s Our Under 15s took on Limerick FC in the League for the third time on Monday afternoon. We wrapped up the Div 2 League ten days ago so could afford to go into this game at Hogan Park in a relaxed frame of mind. Too relaxed perhaps as we fell to a 5-4 defeat. We missed a penalty at one stage. Jamie Stickle and Cian O’Rahilly scored two apiece while others to shine were Sam Frost, Brian Daly and Christopher O’Hagan. Under 14s Our Under 14s have struggled somewhat this season and were numerically understrength for our most recent game (starting with 9) against Aisling Annacotty at the Greenhills on Saturday afternoon. We did manage eleven players by the interval but the visitors had too much power winning 7-2. Jamie Stickle netted both our goals and was unlucky on a few other occasions. Others to impress were Cian Davis, Sean Skelton, Cian Galvin and Colin Coughlan. Under 13’B’s Our 13’B’s brought their season to a conclusion on Monday evening when we entertained Limerick FC. The lads put up a brave display but it finished 9-1 to the visitors. Daniel Okeke was outstanding at the back while others to impress were Damon Lee, Alan Neill, Dean O’Donnell, Brendan Penny and Darragh Dineen. Our goal came from the penalty spot when Dean O’Donnell was taken down in the box. Our keeper, Damon Lee, stepped up and converted the penalty. Under 12s Our Under 12s played hosts to Shannon Town on Wednesday evening with the League Div 1 title very much on the line. A win for our lads was a must but the visitors proved too strong on the night wining by seven goals to three. The sides were locked at two goals apiece after twenty minutes but in a devastating spell prior to the interval the Town struck three times and there was no way back. Ben Frost scored a superb hat trick showing a keen eye for goal but on the night we can have few complaints as the visitors, with lethal finishing power, were crowned champions. We are left to battle it out with Aisling Annacotty B (whom we also meet in the U12 Cup Final) for the runners-up spot in the League following a 3-0 win against Granville Rgs at Glenbrook on Saturday afternoon. The prolific Ben Frost was on the mark again along with Mark Moylan and Charles Hogan. Both sides were understrength. Our team was: Russell Hoban; Joachim Clohessy; Ben Irwin; Ronan O’Dwyer; Niall Barrett; Riain O’Connell; Sam Hanrahan; Louis Cunneen; Ben Frost; Mark Moylan; Marcus Hogan Reserves: Charles Hogan; Oran Fleming; Jamie Pearse (all used) Under 11s Our Under 11s lead the Division 1 League table with Shannon Town hot on their heels a point behind with a game extra played. Dylan Lynch and Victor Oyedeji netted the goals as we came from behind to beat a plucky Hyde Rgs XI at Hyde Rgs Park. We faced third placed Aisling Annacotty B at the Greenhills on Friday evening last and were made to work very hard. Our best chances came in the first half which ended scoreless. We did go ahead midway through the second through the outstanding Ronan O’Dwyer but it proved to be short lived. In the end we were happy enough to settle for the point. We then took on Star Rvs and were made to work hard but in the end finished 3-0 winners. The pacey Victory Oyedeji gave us the lead midway through the first half; Dylan Lynch rattled the net with a tremendous free kick while Paul Gavin notched our third early in the second half. John Fitzgerald, Riain O’Connell, Steven Mitchell and Alex Houlihan were all prominent along with Charles and Marcus Hogan. Our remaining matches see us face Mungret Regional ‘B’ (away) and Janesboro (home) with the destiny of their title very much in our own hands. Under 10s Our Under 10s faced neighbours Coonagh Utd in a top of the table Blue League clash at the Coonagh Sports Grounds on Saturday afternoon. Played in misty overcast conditions between two well matched sides, the game resulted in a 2-1 win for the hosts, a result that puts a serious dent in our title ambitions. The Coonagh boys took the lead with a first rate strike but Dean McNamara’s twenty yard strike had us level midway through the second. It could have gone either way after that, unfortunately it went Coonagh Utd’s way! Our team was: Rory Hehir; Jack Fahy; Ben Sheehan; Wayne Kearns; Colm Lenihan; Dean McNamara; Jake Leahy; James Linnane; Jim Beary Reserves: Conor Clancy; Aaron McNamara; Jason Saiche (all used); Jake Walsh; Evan Williams; Shane O’Halloran; Brian Tchokotieu Under 9s In our most recent Under 9 Blitz the lads played very well. We beat Regional Utd 4-0; drew 1-1 with Carew Park and finished 3-0 winners against Parkville FC. Liam Hickey, Thomas Hourigan, Colm Lenihan and Stephen Connolly Kelly caught the eye. Under 8s Karl Meehan’s Under 8 side (Team No. 2) performed superbly in their Blitz at Shelboure Park. We beat Corbally Utd 2-0 in our opener, hit Regional Utd for three without reply and beat hosts Shelbourne on an identical score line. A good day’s work by all accounts!! Rhys Meehan, Patrick and Jamie Faulkner, Ben O’Regan, Joey Prieto and Riain Goggin all had starring roles. Our other Under 8 side (Team No.1) played their Blitz at Portland Park (Summerville’s home pitch). We were best served on the day by Ben O’Mahoney, Thomas Fitzgerald and Jake Power. Under 7s Our Under 7s were in action at Pearse Stadium and had Mungret Regional A and B along with Janesboro as opponents. The lads performed well throughout with Riain Goggin (son of former schoolboy player and U7 manager, Ronan Goggin), Jamie Faulkner, Tony Hourigan and Stephen Galvin all prominent. Fixtures: Tues, May 6th Ladies v Murroe 6.45pm St. Nessans U17 v Glenview 6.30pm Cat’s Cradle Wed, May 7th U12 v Aisling Annacotty 7.45pm Annacotty U14 v Mungret Regional 6.15pm Mungret Fri, May 9th U11 v Mungret Regional ‘B’ 6.30pm Mungret Sat, May 10th U10 v Fairview Rgs 6.30pm Mungret U9 Blitz 10.30am U7 Blitz 10.30am
Posted on: Tue, 06 May 2014 23:07:31 +0000
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