U-12 SFAI Cup: St Joseph’s 3 Knocknacarra 1
In the national cup, St Joseph’s U12s produced a fine performance to beat a good Galway team and advance to the final regional round. After surviving quite a bit of early pressure the lads went ahead when Harry O'Rourke played a great through ball for Ciaran Lennon to run on to and cleverly lob the keeper. Rory Barrett, enjoying his advanced role, added a second with a great turn and shot. The visitors fought back and won a penalty only for Niall Fowler in goal to scare the ball over the bar! With Niall Conaughton and Captain Brian Hannon working tigerishly in midfield St Joseph’s were on top in the second half and a great strike from the impressive James Kilmartin sealed the victory over gallant opponents. Overall, a fine display and almost as impressive was the spread laid on afterwards by the parents in the local centre. Thanks to all - most appreciated by visitors and locals alike.
U14: St Joseph’s Rangers 2 St Joseph’s Rovers 2
At first glance this result may look like a draw, but in reality there was one clear winner…St Joseph’s FC. The fact that 70 mins of entertaining, exciting and very competitive football could not separate these two sides is an indication of the depth of talent that the club has at this age group. In a closely contested first half both teams played some great football and despite chances at both ends, the sides went into the break level at 0 – 0. Rangers started stronger in the second half and put the impressive Rovers defence under severe pressure. Rangers dominance, characterised by some great interplay during this period, finally paid off as they went 2-0 ahead with well taken goals from Cathal Callinan and Jack Connaughton. The Rovers lads could have been forgiven for dropping their heads at that stage and adopting a damage limitation approach, but instead they showed their true character and no shortage of ability by going on the offensive and were rewarded as goals from Peter Ryan and Gary Manion drew the sided level at 2-2. In the end, the most important message from this game was not the result, it was the fact that the 30 lads who took part showed that U14 football is alive and well in St Joseph’s FC. |