CLERIHAN SCHOOLBOYS FC
U14 SFAI CUP CLERIHAN 2 ST. MICHAELS 1
An exciting cup tie played in dreadful weather conditions ended in Clerihan’s favour as the u14s maintained their wonderful start to the season. Driving wind and rain made it very difficult for both sides but , with plenty of quality players on the pitch , the standard of football was excellent. St. Michael’s had the elements behind them in the first half and took the lead after 20 minutes with a clinical strike from 10 metres after the ball had been cut back well from the end-line. Although under plenty of pressure , the Clerihan defence held up well with Eoin O’Donovan doing a really good marking job on the opposing centre-forward. A one goal half-time deficit was not bad considering the conditions and Clerihan immediately set about their task on the resumption. Sean Maher and Aaron Condon began to exert a greater influence in midfield and the equaliser arrived on 10 minutes. Luke Hahessy did brilliantly to take the ball to the end-line and his cut-back was hammered to the net by Shane Hickey from 10 metres. Clerihan went in search of the winner but had to wait until the last minute to grab the victory. With extra-time looming , Conor Horan sent a teasing cross into the penalty area which was missed by all the Michael’s defenders and Aaron Condon arrived at the far post to volley the ball to the roof of the net. There was no chance for the visitors to respond and Clerihan march on to the next round where victory will ensure their participation in the last 32 of this national competition. Great credit is due to the entire squad and their coaches on making it four wins from four games this season, especially in view of the level at which they are competing.
U12A LEAGUE CLERIHAN 1 ST. KEVINS 0
The u12s recorded their third consecutive win in all competitions but they made hard work of disposing of a dogged Kevins outfit. Facing the howling wind and rain , Clerihan made light of the conditions and took the game to their opponents. Some lovely approach play , however , was marred by poor finishing with the visiting goalkeeper not even asked to make a worthwhile save. Liam McGrath was having a fine game on the right of midfield and got on the end of a Rian Quigley cross after 15 minutes to give Clerihan the lead. Clerihan continued to create openings but , for all their possession , had to rely on a brilliant save from Michael Cleary to deny Kevins an equaliser on the stroke of half-time. It was expected that Clerihan would dominate in the second half with the wind and rain at their backs and this they did but without creating anything of note. The team seemed to lose its shape with the introduction of three substitutions and the game petered out to a tame conclusion. The three points will be very welcome on a real winter’s day with John Mulcahy at left-back catching the eye with a great display.
CLERIHAN SCHOOLBOYS FC
U14 SFAI CUP CLERIHAN 2 ST. MICHAELS 1
An exciting cup tie played in dreadful weather conditions ended in Clerihan’s favour as the u14s maintained their wonderful start to the season. Driving wind and rain made it very difficult for both sides but , with plenty of quality players on the pitch , the standard of football was excellent. St. Michael’s had the elements behind them in the first half and took the lead after 20 minutes with a clinical strike from 10 metres after the ball had been cut back well from the end-line. Although under plenty of pressure , the Clerihan defence held up well with Eoin O’Donovan doing a really good marking job on the opposing centre-forward. A one goal half-time deficit was not bad considering the conditions and Clerihan immediately set about their task on the resumption. Sean Maher and Aaron Condon began to exert a greater influence in midfield and the equaliser arrived on 10 minutes. Luke Hahessy did brilliantly to take the ball to the end-line and his cut-back was hammered to the net by Shane Hickey from 10 metres. Clerihan went in search of the winner but had to wait until the last minute to grab the victory. With extra-time looming , Conor Horan sent a teasing cross into the penalty area which was missed by all the Michael’s defenders and Aaron Condon arrived at the far post to volley the ball to the roof of the net. There was no chance for the visitors to respond and Clerihan march on to the next round where victory will ensure their participation in the last 32 of this national competition. Great credit is due to the entire squad and their coaches on making it four wins from four games this season, especially in view of the level at which they are competing.
U12A LEAGUE CLERIHAN 1 ST. KEVINS 0
The u12s recorded their third consecutive win in all competitions but they made hard work of disposing of a dogged Kevins outfit. Facing the howling wind and rain , Clerihan made light of the conditions and took the game to their opponents. Some lovely approach play , however , was marred by poor finishing with the visiting goalkeeper not even asked to make a worthwhile save. Liam McGrath was having a fine game on the right of midfield and got on the end of a Rian Quigley cross after 15 minutes to give Clerihan the lead. Clerihan continued to create openings but , for all their possession , had to rely on a brilliant save from Michael Cleary to deny Kevins an equaliser on the stroke of half-time. It was expected that Clerihan would dominate in the second half with the wind and rain at their backs and this they did but without creating anything of note. The team seemed to lose its shape with the introduction of three substitutions and the game petered out to a tame conclusion. The three points will be very welcome on a real winter’s day with John Mulcahy at left-back catching the eye with a great display.