Castlegregory face Beara CS in ‘D’ final

MUNSTER U-19 ‘D’ FC (CORN SHEÁIN UÍ MHAOLOMHNAIGH) FINAL

Mean Scoil Castlegregory v Beara CS (Cork) Saturday, February 22 12 noon in the Fitzgerald Stadium

CASTLEGREGORY opened a tough campaign with a hardfought win over Killaloe, 0-12 to 3-3. Lisdoonvarna bowed out on a 2-13 to 0-14 to see Aodháin Mac Gearailt’s team into a quarter-final. The hard work was paying off, and Castlegregory beat a good Kinsale team by 2-16 to 2-6, which didn’t flatter the victors (Kinsale scored 1-2 late on).

The semi-final against St. Clements of Limerick was another tough battle. Castlegregory led early on but struggled as St. Clements grew into the game but had a penalty saved by Castlegregory keeper Eoin Kennedy. Even so it was very tight late on until Castlegregory managed to come away with a 0-12 to 0-10 win.

That sees them into a Munster Final and the decision of the Munster Colleges to put the game on as a curtain-raiser is a very welcome one – albeit a bit risky in current weather conditions. It wouldn’t surprise me too much if at least one game was moved across to Lewis Rd.

As well as Kennedy in goal, Castlegregory have formidable defensive quality in Stephen Smith Galvin, Alan O’Leary, Eoghan Ó Laighin, and especially Alain Beaujoui. Sharpshooter Cian O’Grady and the outstanding David Costello make for a great midfield pairing, while up front they have aces in Adam Costello, Jack Shannon, Seamus Lyne, and Gearóid O’Flaherty. Most importantly, Castlegregory aren’t over-reliant on any one scorer, which can be key at this level, and have a strong bench to call on.

That said, Beara CS have already played a quarter and semi-final in Kerry (Caherslee and Lewis Road), and nobody has laid a glove on them yet. In particular, seeing off a fancied Colaiste Ghobnatan Ballyvourney by 3-8 to 1-9 is real proof of quality. They have scored 17 goals in their last five games – if Castlegregory can keep that door firmly bolted, they will be in with a real chance.