U11 Football League Round 1 18.05.19

Newcastle West 4-2 Knockaderry 3-7

Newcastle West dominated for large periods finishing the first and second halves in the lead only to be pipped right at the death.

We were slow to settle into the match and found ourselves 2 points down with only 2 minutes on the clock. That was to be the last Knockaderry score in the first period. Tristan Kirwan tracked back well from his midfield duties to get in a block on a shot (that looked a certain goal) with Sean Fitzgerald (in goals) completing the clearance. Patrick Ryan at full back gave an exhibition in the art of blocking. Not only was he blocking the ball expertly, he was winning the ball in the block and offloaded good ball to his half backs and midfield. The first Newcastlewest attack saw Cormac Noonan fouled following a great solo run. Declan O’Grady kicked a point from the free. Declan followed up with (now his trademark) a classic ‘full forward’ goal. At the end of the first half the magpies were up 1-1 to 0-2.

Declan O’Grady and substitute Shay Collins narrowly missed chances for goals at the start of the second half. But first off the mark were the visitors retaking the lead with a goal. Knockaderry launched a dangerous counter attack that looked like it would extend their lead but the ever reliable Diarmuid Cremin never gave up the chase and got the measure of the Knockaderry man, blocking down his shot. What followed was without doubt was the best move of the match that started with Diarmuid’s block down. Mark Healy at fullback gathered the ball and passed to Leon O’Flynn who’s strength saw him brush off his tackler to find Rory Vaughan in midfield. Rory sold a dummy to send his marker the wrong way before passing to his midfield partner Tristan Kirwan. Tristan kicked a high ball that no-one but Declan O’Grady was going to field and found the net to finish off this brilliant move. Tristan was in action for the final play of the half putting the ball over the black spot extending the magpies lead 2-2 to 1-2.

Adam Nolan was close to extending the lead at the start of the 3rd half coming close with a well taken shot. A Knockaderry goal drew the visitors level but not for long as Declan (for a second week in a row) netted for his hat trick. Knockaderry drew level once more with 3 points without reply, the score reading 3-2 to 2-5 with 5 minutes left to play. Newcastlewest moved the ball up front again to Sean Fitzgerald who rounded his man and headed for goal. With only goal in his mind Sean let fly and found the back of the net to send the home side back into the lead. The herculean effort the young Newcastlewest men was starting to take a toll and couldn’t hold off the final Knockaderry onslaught who finished strong kicking 2 points and took the lead with a goal that might well have been flagged for a Hawkeye review. Well done to Knockaderry who ran out 2 point winners 4-2 to 3-7.

Thanks to Shay Collins, Ksanier Bochnak, and Thomas Hanley from the U10 panel who were called up at short notice to give us options off the bench.

Team: Leon O’Flynn, Adam Nolan, Patrick Ryan, Shay Collins, Declan O’Grady (3-1), Thomas Hanley, Bradley O’Brien, Cormac Noonan, Tristan Kirwan (0-1), Diarmuid Cremin, Ksanier Bochnak, Mark Healy, Sean Fitzgerald (1-0), Rory Vaughan