CLERIHAN SCHOOLBOYS FC

U13 SFAI CUP CLERIHAN 1 RAILWAY ATHLETIC ( CAPPOQUIN) 2

There was no joy for the U13s as they made an early exit from the SFAI Cup at the hands of Railway Athletic from Cappoquin. Things looked good early on for Clerihan when Alan O’Donnell sent an unstoppable volley to the net after 5 minutes to take the lead. However, the visitors were awarded a penalty minutes later which they converted to equalise. It appeared a harsh call by the referee against Glenn Cullinane, who was Clerihan’s top defender and who clearly won the ball in the challenge. Chances were few and far between after that as both sides lacked the killer instinct in front of goal. With extra-time looming, Railway Athletic broke through for the winner, an attacker reacting quickest after Eoin Power had made a fine save. Clerihan almost snatched an equaliser from the restart as man-of-the-match Alan O’Donnell played a great ball through to Liam McGrath whose brilliantly struck shot came back off the crossbar and away to safety. It was a disappointing outcome for the lads but their cause was not helped by this being their first game of the season , no league games played at all during September. They will undoubtedly improve for the outing and should be a force in their own league.

U13B LEAGUE CLONMEL CELTIC 8 CLERIHAN 2

This was also the first game played by the U13B squad and the most disappointing aspect was the failure of some players to show, leaving ten to take the field. Each and every one of the ten gave it their all and competed brilliantly in the first half especially. Aaron Doyle , more used to stopping goals than scoring , and Seamus McMahon both got on the scoresheet as Celtic took a 3-2 lead to the half-time break. The extra man really told in the second period as Celtic took over and over-ran the Clerihan defence.Despite the best efforts of goalkeeper James O’Donnell, who made a couple of great saves , the home side added five more goals to give the final scoreline a flattering look. Kevin Freier and Luke Boyle worked their socks off throughout and were Clerihan’s best players while credit to all who stuck at it in difficult circumstances. In fairness to coaches Shaun and Kristian, there will have to be a better commitment forthcoming from those who failed to show.

u/12 National Cup

St Pat’s Boys V Clerihan No fixed time

U/14 National Cup

Clerihan V Oylegate Utd 12.30 pm

U/16 League

Clerihan V Clonmel Celtic 11.00 am

CLERIHAN SCHOOLBOYS FC

U16 LEAGUE VEE ROVERS 3 CLERIHAN 3

The U16s showed great character to rescue a point from this game in Clogheen on Saturday last. The home side took a first-half lead but Rory Maher equalised before the interval with a trademark screamer of a shot. It looked ominous for Clerihan when the home side scored twice after the break but Rhys McMorrow reduced arrears from close range before James Maher smashed home the equaliser off the underside of the crossbar. Dale Greene was the Clerihan man-of-the-match with an outstanding performance at centre-back while Brendan Byrne really came into his own in the second half. Reno Roche sustained a freak injury before the kick-off and we all hope that it will not keep him out of action for too long.

U14 NTS LEAGUE CLERIHAN 4 BALLYMACKEY 0

The new NTSL kicked off on Saturday last with Clerihan from the Tipperary Southern District League securing an emphatic win over their Northern District opponents. This new competition brings together the top four teams , based on last years league standings, from South and North with the hope that more competitive matches will help to improve standards.
Sean Maher gave Clerihan the lead after five minutes with a sweetly struck shot to the corner while Luke Hahessy doubled the home team’s advantage shortly after. Clerihan , playing some composed and measured football, were good value for their 2-0 half-time lead. Ballymackey pushed on hard after the resumption but could not penetrate a resolute home defence, in which Jack Burke and Eoin O’Donovan were excellent. John Alan Lowes made the game safe for Clerihan with a clinical finish midway through the second half and Shane Hickey got in on the act late on with a fourth goal. Ballymackey were awarded a penalty when the Clerihan keeper Eoin Power upended an attacker but Eoin then produced a wonderful save to deny the visitors a consolation goal.
This was an encouraging start to the season for Clerihan who had the outstanding player on the pitch in the shape of midfielder Sean Maher.

U12 LEAGUE CLERIHAN 0 CLONMEL TOWN 7

It was a baptism of fire for the U12s who will quickly want to forget this performance. A shaky start resulted in the concession of an early goal and they were 0-3 down at half-time. There was no improvement in the second half as the clinical Town attack pushed home their advantage. A crumb of comfort was the display of team captain Conor McGrath who made a number of crucial interventions when switched to defence.