TIMMY LYNCH
Kanturk win title on last night of season
A BLISTERING hot Gurteenard provided the venue for the Blackwater Motors U12 League decider between the top two contenders for the title this season.
With Kanturk the league leaders needing only a draw to secure the league title the home side knew that nothing was between the sides as on their previous meeting they drew 1-1, so Wednesday evenings league decider was always going to be a close game.
Corkbeg showed their strength with an early goal shortly after kick off but Kanturk answered almost immediately on five minutes through a Stephen Sheehan goal and Kanturk struck again on 12 minutes through a Dan O’Rourke strike to make it 2-1.
Both sides had plenty of chances in what was a very tight game, but through fierce determination and some brilliant team play Stephen Sheehan found the net again just before half time to give the home side a 3-1 lead.
The second half proved to be just as a tight as the first with both sides battling immediately from the kick off, again creating some great chances to score. Corkbeg was first to find the net in the second half to bring it back to 3-2 and they looked to pile on the pressure, but through some excellent defending and creative attacking play Szymon Gejzak found the back of the net on 45 minutes.
Never giving up, Corkbeg hit back again to make it 4-3 and both sides, to their credit, defended and attacked brilliantly in energy sapping conditions with both goalmouths seeing plenty of action. Only for exceptional goalkeeping from Aidan Higgins and also the Corkbeg keeper the final sore would have been much higher.
The game finished Kanturk 4, Corkbeg 3 and Kanturk are deserved league champions. Congratulations to all involved after a hard fought fantastic season for a brilliant bunch of players, now league champions.
Man of match: Stephen Sheehan, best for Kanturk: Adam Lynch, Szymon Gejzak, Dan O’Rourke.
Kanturk AFC Soccer Club will hold its AGM in Edel Quinn Hall at 8pm on 18th June.