Heartache for Arklow
United’s brave effort falls just short against Willow Park
THERE was SFAI Regional final heartbreak for Arklow United’s U12 warriors as Athlone side Willow Park did enough to clinch the title by a single goal at Travers Insurance Park in Arklow last weekend.
It was a high tempo start to the game, both sides fully engaged right from the first whistle. The game was back and forth for the first 15 minutes, but it was Willow Park who struck first.
Tom Quinn thought he had done enough to open the scoring in the 17th minute, but his shot was brilliantly saved by Arklow keeper Finlay Claire, but Claire’s save pushed the ball out to Ross Finn who struck the ball with power from outside the box to grab the lead for his side.
Arklow had a great chance to level the scoring in the 25th minute when Caoimhin Murphy went on a great run before squaring the ball across the goal line to Ben Moran, but Moran collided with the Willow goalkeeper before he could get a shot off and the ball was cleared.
Just before the break, Willow Park doubled their lead as Ciaran McManus was in the right place at the right time in the box to tap home the second goal of the game giving his side a 2-0 lead going in at half- time.
A big second-half performance was needed from the Arklow side if they wanted to get back into the final.
They started the second half on fire and had the ball in the back of the net after just two minutes.
A great finish by Caoimhin Murphy grabbed one back for United as the attacker lobbed goalkeeper Sean McGuire to bring the game to 2-1.
United piled on the pressure, pushing their players forward. Willow Park were defending in numbers as they had everyone behind the ball as they looked to hold onto their lead.
United just couldn’t find the back of the net and time was running out.
As they pushed players forward, they opened themselves up for the counter-attack and Willow Park exploited that with two minutes remaining as Tom Quinn smacked the crossbar with a powerful drive from close range.
Arklow pushed and pushed but Willow held out and the game ended 2-1.
A great all-round game with the first half won by Willow Park and the second by United but it was the two goals in the first half that ensured Willow Park were crowned SFAI Regional champions.
ARKLOW UNITED: 1. Finlay Claire, 2. Olly Clerkin, 3. Dylan Douglas, 4. Scott Nicholson, 5. Alfie Drew, 6. Carter Kinsella, 7. Cian Collins, 8. Lorcan O’Toole, 9. Caoimhin Murphy, 10. Ben Moran, 11. Kuba Koblinski, 12. Thomas Clare, 13.
Conn Candy.
WILLOW PARK: 1. Sean McGuire, 2. Jamie Costello, 3. Noah McCarthy,
4. Ross Finn, 5. Jimmy Sheerian, 6.
Ruairi Horohan, 7. Tom Quinn, 8. Ciaran McManus, 9. Adam Wojoik, 10. Josh Fogarty, 11. Nathan Dolan, 12. Myles Murray,
13. James McLoughlin.
REFEREE: Tony Doran.