MIGHTY MANIFOLD
Joe pulls out all the stops as Baltinglass see off Arklow
at Celtic Park BALTINGLASS ARKLOW TOWN FC 1 0
BALTINGLASS under-12s were crowned Carlow--Wicklow Cup champions after edging past Arklow Town in a nail-biting final at Celtic Park last Saturday afternoon.
There were perfect conditions for the two talented sides who were ready to compete for the Carlow-Wicklow Cup title.
Arklow Town started the better of the two teams, midfielder Darren Williams almost got his side off to the perfect start when he found a way past the Baltinglass defence in the fourth minute and fired a low driven shot toward goal but, unfortunately for his side, Baltinglass keeper Joe Manifold pulled off a great save to push the ball out of danger.
With both side’s defences on top form, neither team had a lot of goal scoring opportunities throughout the first half.
The best chance for Arklow Town came on the 15th minute mark when Jack McCarthy ran past the Baltinglass defence with only goalkeeper Joe Manifold to beat. Manifold was quick off his line and made himself big which led to McCarthy just pulling his shot wide.
While the Baltinglass keeper was being tested at one end, Arklow Town keeper Dennis O’Reilly was soon being tested at the other. Baltinglass attacker Aaron Lawless looked like he was going to open the scoring in the 29th minute; Lawless had played a lovely onetwo with Josh Byrne before hitting a powerful strike that looked to be going into the top corner but O’Reilly pulled off a great save to parry the ball out and away out of danger.
Just on the stroke of half-time, Baltinglass grabbed the opening goal of the game. Kareen Matomni was the first one of react to a shot that was parried out by Arklow goalkeeper O’Reilly but, unfortunately for O’Reilly, the ball landed at the feet of Matomni who slotted the ball home.
Baltinglass went in at half-time being a goal ahead and now all they had to do was to try keep out an attacking Arklow side, which was going to be easier said than done.
It was no surprise that in the second half Arklow Town were the more attacking side as they knew that a goal would bring the game to extra-time or even to the dreaded penalty kicks. Baltinglass had their keeper to thank in the second half as Manifold pulled off save after save after save.
The best save of the match came late in the game when Arklow were sending all their players forward and it looked like Darren Williams was going to score the equaliser on the 50th minute but Manifold managed to pull off an incredible save with his legs to keep the score at 1-0.
Arklow Town had many chances late in the second half but the Baltinglass keeper was in incredible form and they could not find a way past him.
The two keepers for both sides had pulled off some great saves throughout the game and while Manifold was keeping Arklow from grabbing an equaliser, Dennis O’Reilly was keeping his side in with a chance of getting the game to at least extra-time as his saves were keeping his team in the game.
A great final with a nail-biting finish as Arklow pushed all their players forward and had attack after attack but just couldn’t get the goal they needed.
Arklow Town may feel they deserved to at least bring the game to extr- time after the effort their players put in, but it was the Baltinglass under-12s who went away with their heads held high as they are named this season’s champions of the Carlow-Wicklow Cup title after this impressive 1-0 victory over Arklow Town.
1. Joe Manifold, 2. Jack Manifold, 3. Dylan Whyte, 4. Dean Coyne, 5. Billy Hurney, 6. Erton Ferizi, 8. Oisin Mc Gonagh, 9. Damien Corrigan, 10. Aaron Lawless, 11. Josh Byrne, 14. Sean Clare, 15. Karen Matomni, 16. Mario Cluclu
1. Dennis O Reilly, 2. Enda Cullen, 3. Harry Mac Donald, 4. Ladishar Benko, 5. Luke Mc Grath, 6. Jack Davit, 7. Tiernan Gahan, 8. Darr Williams, 9. Caden Kinsella, 10. Kalel Nolan, 11. Dylan Lynch, 12. Jack Mc Carthy, 13. Kevin Dunne.
Keith Neville
Baltinglass: Arklow Town: Referee: