County Under-16 football leagues down to semi-final stage

U16 COUNTY FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 3A

2018-08-08 - COISTE NA nOG Jimmy Darcy

Kilcummin 4-13 Churchill 0-12

KILCUMMIN was the venue for a good quality, well contested Division 3 clash on Wednesday last. The home team started brightly with a point from Cian Foley at centre forward and this was quickly followed by a goal from Kirill Healy at corner forward. The visitors got off the mark with a Darragh O’Sullivan free and this was followed by points from midfielder Damian Doherty and Dara Heim.

A well finished goal from Cian Foley pushed Kilcummin ahead and a brace of frees from the same player as well as 2 pointed frees from full forward Darren Lehane brought the home team tally to 2-5 at the break.

Churchill finished better and frees from Darragh O’Sullivan and points from Cian Kearney and Doherty left the visitors just four points adrift at the break. Churchill opened the second half at pace and 3 points in as many minutes from Eoghan Walsh, the flying Conor Lenihan at wing forward and Paddy Walsh in midfield reduced the deficit to the minimum. However, resolute defending from Nathan McCarthy, Darragh Brosnan and Chris Moynihan, as well as good work from Philip O’Leary in midfield turned the tide again. An excellent finish to the net by Mark O’Shea and 4 fantastic long distance frees from Darren Lehane opened a gap again.

Conor O’Leary was called upon to make some good saves as Churchill kept applying pressure and had points from Darragh O’Sullivan and Damian Doherty. An excellent save from the penalty spot from Michael Dolan kept his team in it but Kilcummin finished strongly with Cian Foley dominant at centre forward and Micheál Sweeney busy on the wing and fine points from Jack McClain, Cian Foley, Colm Kelliher as well as a Darren Lehane goal and a class Philip O’Leary point off his left saw the home team safely through despite some fine defending from Caoimhin Finn, Cian Kerney and good work from Brian Hamilton. KILCUMMIN: Conor O’Leary; Nathan McCarthy, Darragh Brosnan; Conn Fleming; Cian Murphy, Chris Moynihan; Killian O’Brien; Philip O’Leary; Colm Kelliher; Jack McClain, Cian Foley, Micheál Sweeney; Mark O’Shea, Darren Lehane, Kirill Healy. Sub: Colin O’Leary.

CHURCHILL: Michael Dolan; Edward Stack, Caoimhin Finn; Donnacha O’Sullivan; Darragh Murphy, Cian Kearney, Adam Doyle, Paddy Walsh, Damian Doherty; Brian Hamilton, Dara Heim, Conor Lenihan, Eoghan Walsh, Sean Clifford; Darragh O’Sullivan. Subs: Tommy Burns, Mark Stephenson, Eddie McCarthy

U-16 COUNTY FOOTBALL LEAGUE DIVISION 2 Firies 4-10 An Ghaeltacht 1-10

FIRIES started brightly with a fine Brian Burke point in the opening minutes but An Ghaeltacht re- sponded in kind almost straight away. Play went back and forth for next few minutes until An Ghaeltacht had a kick out which was tapped down by Darragh Brosnan to a waiting Brian Burke and a series of passes between the two of them Brian Burke finished off expertly to the corner of the net. An Ghaeltacht then hit a purple patch aided by good fielding in midfield and were rewarded with a well taken point midway through the first half. Cian Doe then added a free kick well taken later on.

An Ghaeltacht then went storming up the pitch and their star full forward forced a brilliant save from the Firies keeper Cian Ring who saved a certain goal but An Ghaeltacht scored from the resultant ‘45’ with a fine delivery. Some cleverly taken free kicks by Cian Doe and Darragh Brosnan found their teammates who slotted over the bar to add two more points to Firies tally.

Again An Ghaeltacht responded with another point only for Firies taken very well by Dillon Callaghan. The first half finished up with a score line of Firies 2-5 to An Ghaeltacht 0-6.

In the second half the wet conditions were beginning to make life difficult for both teams as the ground was wet and slippery but despite this some great football was being played by the two teams. Early on Dillon Callaghan who was a threat all night was taken down for a penalty and which he duly put away to make 3-05 to 0-6 in favour of Firies.

But An Ghaeltacht to their credit never gave up and got their reward when their star player number 14 took a fine goal which kept them in the game. Cian Doe struck back with a fine point after some good football setting him up previously.

The point of the game was struck by An Ghaeltacht Midfielder from around 40 yards out and this rallied his team yet again. A move started by adventurous corner back Craig Boyle O’Sullivan set up Conor O’Sullivan for his well taken point. An Ghaeltacht lost some impetus when their full forward had to be withdrawn due to an injury late in the game and Firies got the upper hand and this resulted in fine goal taken by Darren Deniel.

Our good wishes to An Ghaeltacht full forward in a quick recovery, well done to both teams for a highly entertaining game played in good spirit.

Kerry Coiste na nOg U-16 League Semi-finals

Wednesday, August 8 at 7pm Division 1 Semi-finals

Na Gaeil v Rathmore

Dr. Crokes v Austin Stacks

Division 2 Semi-finals

Firies v Keel/Listry

An Ghaeltacht v Kenmare

Division 3 Semi-finals Knock/Brosna/Duagh v Ardfer t

Kerins O’Rahillys v Currow

Division 4 Semi-finals

Kilgarvan/Tousist v Ballymacelligott Fossa v Ballyduff