Five WDSL Shield finals decided on Sunday
ARKLOW UNITED sealed the Under-12 A2 Shield title on Sunday afternoon when they beat a tough Shillelagh side with two second-half goals.
United started the game better than their opponents as they went all-out attack in the opening ten minutes.
Hannah Martin had some chances early on in the game as she almost opened the scoring on the 6th minute with a powerful low shot to the Shillelagh keepers left but Cathal Fitzsimmons got down well to tip the ball around the post and out of danger.
Luke Murray and Colm Grannor went close midway through the first half as Murray saw his effort scrambled off the line by the Shillelagh defence and Murray’s 21st minute volley was again saved by Fitzsimmons in goal, who was keeping his side in the game.
Shillelagh’s Oscar Judge went on a great run just on the edge of half time and had a great opportunity to grab the opening goal before half time but his shot went just wide of the post on the 34th minute which kept the game at 0-0 meaning both sides would have to take it up a gear in the second half if they wanted to get their hands on the shield trophy.
Shillelagh started the second half much better than the second as they looked for a leading goal, Lee Dagge was working hard for his side as he pushed forward feeding the Shillelagh attackers, but they just couldn’t find a way past a solid United defence.
United struck first with a goal on the 51st minute as Lucas O’Rourke finished off an excellent counter-attack by firing the ball to the bottom corner to give his side a vital one-goal lead.
Shillelagh keeper Cathal Fitzsimmons was having a great game in goal, making save after save, but, unfortunately, as his side were pushing many players forward, they left themselves short at the back and United took advantage and gave themselves a two-goal lead with a superb goal from Issac Young. Young claimed the ball back on the edge of the area before skipping past two defenders, rounded the keeper and stroked the ball into the net.
Shillelagh kept pushing and did get a goal in the last minute of the game but, unfortunately, it was only a consolation goal as the referee soon blew the final whistle of the game with no chance of a comeback for the Shillelagh side.
United were worthy winners of the shield title as they dominated possession throughout the game apart from some tense moments at the end of the first half. Arklow United were crowned this season’s Shield A2 champions.