UNDER 12 CONNACHT SHIELD: STRAND CELTIC 3 SNUGBORO 2
Strandhill Community Park
Our under 12 squad advanced to the last sixteen of the connacht under 12 shield with a well deserved if somewhat unconvincing display against a good Snugboro side on Saturday morning last.
Our lads opened brightly and with Ryan McManus and Mark McCallion dominanting the midfield exchanges it provided a platform for the front players. James Hampsonw ent close early on and Jack Keegan also had a couple of efforts saved by the Snugboro keeper. The breakthrough came from a superb ball by Ryan McManus which set Cian Mcgovern free. His pass was well finished to the net by the alert Luke Nicolson.
In the second half Strand dominanted the exchanges without putting the result beyond doubt. Jack Keegan fired just wide with a free kick while Ryan McManus also had a header go just wide. Then the second goal came from a Jack Keegan strike which was put home after good work by Aiden Kenny.
Snugboro refused to lie down and after a fast break were awarded a penalty. The penalty was superbly placed in the corner. Then within five minutes Mark McCallion fired home a good shot from the edge of the box into the bottom right hand corner to apparently make the game safe. Snugboro refused to lie down and from another counter attack grabbed a second to setup an anxious last five minutes.
Strand held on for a deserved win and now advance to the last sixteen. Aiden Kenny turned in a great display on the right in the second half well supported by Darren Harte at right full. The midfield was as strong as ever while Luke Nicolson and Jack Keegan turned in good performances up front.
We now have a home fixture against either Saint Johns (Rosscommon) or Athenry (Galway). These fixtures are scheduled for the weekend of 15th/16th of November.
Team: Matthew Cosgrove, Darren Harte, Cathal Henry, Ronan Redmond, Niall Murray, Jackson Smith, Cian McGovern, Mark McCallion, Ryan McManus, Luke Nicolson, James Hampson, Aiden Kenny, Dylan Doherty, David Hines, Jack Keegan.
Coaches man of the match on saturday was Mark McCallion. |