Nine from nine for Enniskerry
Top battle with Roundwood
ENNISKERRY ROUNDWOOD FC
ENNISKERRY made it nine wins out of nine games as they edged a gallant Roundwood side in this Wicklow Schoolboys’ League under-12 game at Ballyman on Saturday morning.
A brace of goals from Ned Bolger and another strike by James Brandon, with Josh Healy finding the net for the visitors, ensured that the home side, who fielded a number of players who had played rugby games for their school earlier on Saturday, maintained their place at the top of the Premier League table.
But despite the final scoreline, Roundwood made the better start to the game, with only three minutes gone on the clock when team captain Killian Byrne unleashed a fine effort which went just wide.
Eight minutes later, Sean McHugh was also narrowly off target for the visitors, and almost immediately Josh Healy crashed a great shot off the Enniskerry crossbar.
But after weathering that storm, the home side profited from their first meaningful attack, Brandon expertly setting up Bolger who gave goalkeeper Eoin Meddlycott no chance on 13 minutes.
On 20 minutes, Bolger, Brandon and Darragh Shannon combined in a nice move, with the latter having his low shot saved by the legs of the Roundwood goalkeeper.
On the turn-over, Just a minute had elapsed when Shannon unleashed a strong shot which was capably saved by Meddlycott, and then Roundwood came more into the game, forcing four corners n the space of a few minutes.
All of them proved fruitless, however, and then Enniskerry enjoyed a spell of dominance, with Shannon floating in an excellent cross on 43 minutes which none of his teammates was able to get on the end of.
But five minutes later, the home side extended their advantage when Bolger struck for his second goal, showing a clinical finishing touch by sidefooting past Meddlycott after being played in by Brandon.
However, the outcome was thrown wide open with seven minutes remaining when Byrne found the Enniskerry net from about 25 yards, with many home fans claiming that McHugh was offside.
As is stung by this breaching of their defence, Enniskerry struck back almost immediately, play-maker Brandon, watched by his grandfather Brendan Gallagher, slotting home after a through ball from Sebastian De Beaireid.
Subsequently, Roundwood forced two corners but the opposing defence managed to clear the danger on both occasions.
Afterwards, Enniskerry coach Derek Kavanagh said: “Our lads put in a huge effort right throughout the match, and it was great that we preserved our 100 per cent record. At 0-0, Roundwood had a four or five shots on our goal, but we got a break and Ned (Bolger) took his goal chance very well.
“As well, our lads showed tremendous composure when Roundwood brought it back to 2-1 in the second half, scoring our third goal almost immediately through James (Brandon).
“Hopefully, we’ll keep our winning run going next week, but we face a difficult game away to Arklow, who have won seven of their eight games. So we’ll need to be at our very best to pick up the points.”
And Roundwood coach Graeme Mulvey remarked: “We knew coming here today that we were going to face a tough battle against a team who are undefeated in the League.
“But I thought we wouldn’t have been flattered if we had gotten a draw from the match. I felt we were unlucky to go a goal down as we were the more dominant team in the first 15 minutes or so.
“However, we were caught on the counter by the pace of some of the Enniskerry players.”
Greg Healy; Luka Caffrey, Darragh Shannon, Sebastian De Beaireid, Noah Trane, Fionn Kavanagh, Ned Bolger, James Brandon, Finn Morrissey. Subs: Sam McMullen, Oscar O’Reilly, Elliott Reiddy.
Eoin Meddlycott; Jack Darcy, Ciaran Mulvey, Kaelin O’Shaughnessy, Joe Heatly, Josh Healy, Joe McDonnell, Sean McHugh, Killian Byrne. Subs: Tom McKenna, Ciaran Mulvey, Rory Fee.
Joe McLoughlin. ARKLOW TOWN’S under-13 side came away with all three points on Sunday morning against a tough Greystones United side.
The home side started the game with more of an attacking threat than their opponents as they nearly opened the scoring on the third minute through a shot from Caden Kinsella, the striker went on a great run from the edge of the penalty area but hitting a curling shot that went just wide of the post.
Kinsella had been threatening the Greystones defence with his speed early in the game and he got his goal that he deserved on the 14th minute with another great solo run.
Kinsella gained possession outside the penalty area and went past two Greystones defenders before slotting the ball into the corner of the net to give his side the lead.
Moments later the home side had their second of the game through a great counter attack on the 16th minute.
The move started off with a