Rathnew in total control
Villagers defeat Greystones
RATHNEW U-14S GREYSTONES UTD 7 0
THE impressive Rathnew under-14s cruised past Greystones United with a stunning 7-0 victory on a very sunny Sunday afternoon at Shamrock Park.
The game started in excellent fashion for the home side as they opened the scoring with as little as three minutes played with a superb strike from Rathnew winger Jack Gregory. Gregory, a pacey winger, went on a great run down the right wing before cutting in and getting off a powerful strike that flew past Greystones keeper Nathan Ross and into the top corner. It was going to be a long day for the away side, and a very busy day for the Greystones keeper.
Greystones almost grabbed a goal back five minutes later after an incredible run from Finlay Hart.
Hart gained back possession for his side in the center circle and made a darting run toward goal.
The striker beat three defenders before blasting a powerful shot just inside the penalty area, but unfortunately for the away side the crossbar denied what would have been a possible goal of the season contender, even this late on in the season.
Greystones shot stopper was impressive throughout the game but he really did keep his side in the game in the first 20 minutes of the first half pulling off save after save after save.
One of Ross’s stops was the save of the day in the 13th minute when he seen William Moorehouse’s shot late but still managed to get down and tip the ball around the post and out for a corner and out of danger.
Rathnew continued to pile on the pressure and got their second of the game when Adam Byrne lobbed the Greystones keeper to make it 2-0 with 14 minutes played. Rathnew did not stop there and added another two goals before half time.
One of the goals coming from Ethan Snell who scored from point blank range with a towering header, the other coming from playmaker William Moorehouse who had been testing the Greystones keeper throughout the first half, he finally got his reward just before half time with a long distance strike that went in off the post.
Rathnew began the second half with the same pressure as the first half and it wasn’t long before they added to their lead with more goals, this time coming from striker Scott Devlin, Devlin had been menacing throughout the second half and was unlucky not to score on a couple of occasions and had also been unselfish as he tried numerous times to assist his team mates in front of goal.
But he hit the back of the net three minutes after the second half began with a powerful volley just inside the penalty area.
Adam Byrne added his second of the game a few minutes after Devlin. Byrne was gifted the goal by the Greystones defence as they failed to clear a long ball from the Rathnew keeper, the ball bounced over the defence and straight to Byrne who slipped the ball under Ross to make it 6-0.
Greystones had an opportunity to grab a goal back on the 50th minute when Andrew Brennan was fouled inside the penalty area but unfortunately for the away side it just wasn’t their day as Finlay Hart’s effort was saved.
Rathnew finished the game with two more goals coming from again Adam Byrne and defender Ciaran Bradley. An impressive win from the hosts but credit must also go to the away side as they never stopped trying even after going down by eight goals, but it was Rathnew who went away with all three points.
1. Midnov, 2. Ryan O’ Neill, 3. Aaron Douglas, 4. Jack Hayden, 5. Ryan O’ Toole, 6. Jack Gregory, 7. Ethan Snell, 8. Will Moorehouse, 9. Dan Mbuza, 10. Scott Devlin,
11. Adam Byrne, 12. Zach O’ Connor,
13. Jack Haughton, 14. Killian Callister,
15. Ethan Power, 16. Josh O’Connor.
1. Nathan Ross, 2. Tom O’ Malley, 3. Ciaran Bradley, 4. Niall Duggan, 5. Ciaran Gunning,
6. Neill Ryan, 7. Finlay Hart, 8. Carl Lynch, 9. Jack Kennedy, 10. Andrew Brennan, 11. Adam Cunningham.
T. Doran THE senior men travelled to Blanchardstown to take on Castleknock Celtic in the semi-final of the Polikoff Cup last Friday night and as semi-finals go this one had it all - goals, near misses, great saves, red cards and lots more.
You just couldn’t take your eyes off the action. Rovers got off to the worst start possible and after two minutes they found themselves one down after a long ball over the top was duly dispatched by the home side.
Rovers showed great character and took the game to their hosts after falling behind.
After ten minutes, Ciaran McGettigan broke through the centre of the home defence but was denied by a good save from the keeper.
A minute later Gareth Murphy fired over. On 12 minutes, Shane Doyle raced off his line to save well on the edge of the Rovers area.
On 16 minutes, a good flowing move ended with Maurice Dunne rattling the crossbar from 25 yards.
The game was being played at a frantic pace and on the 20-minute mark Shane Doyle was called on again to tip the ball around the post.
After 23 minutes, Ciaran McGettigan was brought down in the box and Rovers were awarded a penalty. Mikey Delaney stepped up and coolly slotted home the spot kick.
The game was end to end and Shane Doyle came to his side’s rescue with another good save.
Just on the stroke of half-time, Rovers went close to taking the lead, Gareth Murphy picked out Ciaran McGettigan but his effort was just wide.
The half-time whistle went with the sides level at 1-1.
The second half saw the game played at a much more sedate pace, but we were still served with excitement and controversy.
Three minutes into the second period, a clash between Luke