U16s progress in cup
O’BRIEN WHITMARSH NETS A HAT-TRICK IN U16 LOCAL CUP Springfield 5 Fermoy 6
On a beautiful Sunday sunny morning in Cobh, both teams put on a cracker of a game. The game was played on the Stephen Ireland Astro, with Fermoy attacking from the start. Goals from Seaghan O'Brien-Whitmarsh x3, Callum McCormack, Conor Dupuis, and a special one for Eoin Corrigan, too. Good team display by all 16 players. Home to Innishvilla this Wednesday night at 7.00 for a place in the quarter-final. Well done, boys!
U16A GET POINT ON THE ROAD IN LEAGUE Passage A 1 Fermoy A 1
Our boys travelled to Passage Astro pitch recently for their first match since the start of March. We only had 11 players due to injuries and Barcelona taking some of our players (not the football club but the school tour!). Obviously, after the long break, we started slowly, and chances were at a premium in the first half for both sides. Passage took the lead after a concentration lapse in our defence. We didn't test the home keeper in the first half, and the score at half-time was 1 nil to the hosts.
A few positional changes had the desired effect, and the Passage keeper was busier in the second half. There were several half chances for Fermoy, and the deserved equaliser came from an unlikely source. Our goalkeeper Darragh took a free from the right-hand side inside the Passage half. The flight of the ball deceived the keeper and the ball went in just under the crossbar and into the back of the net. There were some half chances for both sides and no changes to the scoreboard at the final whistle. Well done, lads. Match away against Everton Tuesday evening was next up, report next week.
U15S WIN AWAY IN CUP Leeside A 2 Fermoy 3
Fermoy U15s travelled to Little Island on Thursday evening last week to play division 3 Leeside A in the Local Cup. Two divisions separate the sides, but it was not obvious as the Leeside team started stronger and made all the early running. They scored, not against the run of play, after some great work by their speedy left winger. Fermoy equalised at the end of the first half when Tyler found the net from a free kick. 1-1 at half-time and all to play for.
Fermoy started the second half much stronger. Ger hit the crossbar twice. It looked like it might not be our night. We took the lead following a corner, Michael pounced on a loose ball in the box to poke it home. Leeside A rallied and following a defensive mix-up in the Fermoy box, their forward steered home the equaliser.
In wet conditions, it looked like we were heading for extra-time when Corey played a ball down the left wing to Arran. He took a touch and sent in a beautiful cross to the back post where Michael was arriving like a steam train to rifle the ball to the roof of the net. It was a wonderful goal to win a very close, entertaining game. Thanks to Leeside AFC for hosting us in their wonderful facilities. Thanks to the referee for doing a great job, too. We wish Leeside A all the best for their remaining games in their league. We wish all the best to our midfielder Rob, who came off injured. Hopefully, he'll be back fit soon.
U13S KNOCK OUT PREMIER OPPOSITION IN CUP SHOOT OUT Fermoy 2 Carrigaline 2 (Fermoy win on penalties)
Local cup action saw a really strong Carrigaline United making the trip up to Fermoy. With the pitch in immaculate condition, this game got straight into a high tempo affair. Both teams had no intention of sitting back, and there were plenty of early chances. Dean was looking solid in goal, and his opposite number was the same. With the game opening right up, Carrigaline started to show their class and create a few chances from range. But the back 4 of Sean, Ned, Niall and Oran stood firm. It was 0-0 at half-time.
Trysten came into the fray along with Darragh and Jakub. They all got into the pace of the game really quickly. Ciaran got straight on with the pressing and set a good tone for the half.
Following some Fermoy pressure from a few corners, the first goal came. The ball was swung in by Brandon and made its way to the back post where Conor unleashed a half volley from an angle that flew past the keeper, giving him no chance. Cathal and Aodhan in the centre, as usual, were relentless in winning the ball and looking to get David and Henry on the ball. Leon had some nice passes to try and break the lines in this stout Carrigaline defence.
Dean again came good with a couple of saves. Fermoy were counter-attacking with menace and that made Carrigaline wary of the threat posed. With time running out, the away team got their break, a through ball that the forward ran into was calmly finished to send this game into extra-time.
Carrigaline were buoyant now, and Fermoy were deflated. The premier team got to grips with the game and took the lead with a fine free kick to leave Fermoy down 1-2 going into the second half of extratime. Fermoy still believed that there might be one more chance, with time ticking away. A spectacular ball from Jakub to Brandon who in turn laid it off to Leon who composed himself and shot low and hard into the keeper’s right hand side, only to see the ball pass inches wide of the post. So close and now time was against the home side. With the last throw of the dice,
Aodhan played Ned through, after a run down the wing, he found Leon alone at the edge of the box. Leon set the ball out of his feet and fired in over the keeper’s head to equalise just before the final whistle. 2-2 in an exhilarating game of football.
On the night, Fermoy got the luck needed in the lottery of penalties. Thanks to Carrigaline for what was such a tough game. You pushed us as far as we could go. Thanks to the referee and thanks to the ground staff at Fermoy FC. Surely one of the best playing surfaces around. Keep it up, lads. It was a great experience and ye should all be proud. A real squad performance.
U12S ADVANCE IN LOCAL CUP Tramore Athletic 1 Fermoy 2
This was a very hard fought victory against a very determined Tramore side. A brace from John O'Sullivan ensures Fermoy advances to the last 16. Our boys had the majority of procession in the first half. However, it was Tramore that took the lead with 10 minutes on the clock. No reason to panic and they stuck to the plan. Just before the break, Zach Roche squared the ball for John's first, he timed his run to perfection and made no mistake with a great strike. The 2nd half was much the same, all the possession but could not find any holes in the Tramore defence. Tramore were a constant threat upfront. This required close attention from our defence. Into extra-time and John grabbed his 2nd, another great move in midfield saw Oisín O'Sullivan tee John up for another fine strike to seal the victory. Well done boys.
SENIORS DRAW Passage 1 Fermoy 1
Our senior team played their 3rd play-off game Friday night away to Passage. After 1 point from 2 games, 3 points was a must.
Unfortunately, some last-minute changes meant Dale Dawson (top goalscorer) had to play in goal, adding to the loss of captain Davey Chambers (injured) along with Adam Ronan and Owen O'Neill.
The lads started well, putting the Passage defence under pressure with good diagonal balls against a high Passage line. Unfortunately, throughout the half, we lost Ryan Jordan and Kurt Wheeler to injury.
We hope the lads recover quickly and injuries aren't as serious as first suspected.
In the second half, the lads again applied early pressure with some great chances falling our way that we just couldn't convert.
The running off the ball of Sev and Dean were really causing problems. Pedro was also having a big impact on the game. Eventually, the pressure told, and Sev rose high at the back post to head the ball home from a Dean Jordan delivery. Unfortunately, within minutes, the referee awarded a penalty to Passage for a push following a free kick into the box. A decision we felt was harsh.
Passage enjoyed a spell of pressure and caused problems with easily awarded free kicks into the box. The game ended 1 apiece in another example of how not taking your chances will cost you. The lads must regroup now with an opportunity to progress in the Beamish Cup if they can beat Premier side Bandon.
JUNIORS WIN
Fermoy travelled to league champions Lakewood last Friday night for their last league game of the season. After suffering a defeat to Avondale two days previously, relegation to division 3 was still on the cards for the blues. Fermoy got off to the worst possible start, conceding an earlier goal. To a neutral, it may have looked like Fermoy were in for another tough night, but to the team's credit, they battled hard and began to get on top of their opponents. An impressive first half was rewarded with a well-deserved equaliser, scored by Dylan O’Sullivan early in the second half, Lakewood made a number of changes as they began to turn the screw on Fermoy. However, hard work and great communication ensured Lakewood didn't go in front again. A second Dylan O’Sullivan goal gave Fermoy all three points on the night, and barring some shock results by rivals ensure their division 2 status for next season. With the league over, Fermoy turn to their last cup competition where they will play the winners of Rockmount and Mayfield.
Team: Sean O'Connor, Mark McCarthy, Callum Wheeler, Cian Kearney, Colm Lane, Scott Doyle, Nicky Kelleher, Aaron Dennigan, Oran Crotty, Dylan Crotty, Dylan O'Sullivan. Subs: Dion McCormack for Aaron Dennigan, Darragh Gill for Mark McCarthy, Jason Moorehouse for Dylan O'Sullivan; Adam O'Keefe for Dylan Crotty, Dave Clancy.
FERMOY FC LOTTO
Draw results from Thursday, 25th April - jackpot €13,850. Numbers drawn 16, 18, 25 and 28. No winner. 5 x €30 lucky dip winners - William Fitzgerald c/o online; Denis Noonan c/o Jackie Howard; Sarah Hill c/o online; Kay Egan c/o Billy Howard; Deirdre Doyle c/o online. Next jackpot (Thursday, 2nd May) €14,000. Tickets are available from website (Clubforce) or any club committee member. Fermoy FC would like to thank you for your continued support.