Vital Win in U12 Premier Division

Match report from (first time reporter) Greg Coulter

“Fake news” was the only comment from a defiant Ciaran Coulter after a vicious whispering campaign had gathered momentum after two losses from two.   In all honesty the young man could not deny what every dog in Main Street Castleconnell knew, his days were numbered without a meaningful result.   Coulter senior, reportedly furious after the early season Newport match, insisted on the experienced Sean Devine joining the backroom panel.

When you’re under intense pressure an away match to the flying high Mungret Regional looked an impossible assignment. Mungret, top of the table & fresh from solid victories over Regional & Annacotty B must have fancied themselves going into the match.  

Lisnagry started with a confidence and precision that seemed to have been missing from earlier matches. Cronin in left defence and wing forward Kett showed precision and deft touches with Kett going close early in the match as he blistered pasthis marker time and again.  Mungret, playing without the ball showed their true colours 15 minutes in when attacking with pace down the right. A cross was met with a crunching header rocking this young team back on their heels 1-0.  Mungret, oozing with confidence once again hit on the break making it 2-0 with half time approaching.

McNamara & MoLoughney controversially starting from the bench then showed the touch of class required to unlock this gifted Mungret team.  McNamara received the ball in the box and laid off the sweetest of touches with his outside boot for Moloughney to run on and smash into the top corner.  Halftime and down 2-1.

Shortly into the second half, MoLoughney reaped the benefits of an incredible piece of pressing scoring from an acute angle to make it 2-2.

Ewan Coulter & Rory Devine in central midfield were winning the midfield battle freeing up the wizardry of Glynn playing wide on the left.  Drawing players to him like moths to a flame Glynn whipped in a delightful cross which touched off a Mungret arm. Penalty. MoLoughney stepped up once again to complete his hattrick and increase his season tally to 4.  3-2.

The backline of Ferte, Moroney, O’Connor and Kett stood tall in the second half as Mungret drove forwards in the final minutes. With Mungret continuing to push for a winner Conway in goals was called upon time and again.

“Dusting yourself off after two losses & being down by 2-0 showed the character of the squad” said Ryan, captain for the day who lead the team from the front. Experienced Referee, P O’Brien chose Coulter as his Man of the Match but was quick to say “the award could have gone to Glynn or any number of this talented team”.  His final words will have done nothing to reduce the burden of expectation about this group “The best team I’ve ever seen from Lisnagry.”  A team to watch.

Squad: Conway, Ferte, O’Connor, Devine, McNamara, Glynn, MoLoughney, Cronin, Kett, Ryan, Coulter, Moroney.

Management: Coulter Snr, Coulter Jnr, Devine.

6-6 Thriller at Shelbourne Park

The Mighty Ducks of Lisnagry remain unbeaten but only after an almighty fright at a heaving Hassett’s Cross in this mornings early kick off.

Match report from (future award winning graphic novelist) Declan Gill

With playing conditions almost perfect, a relatively unfancied Balla certainly put it up to the Ducks. With pace to burn on both wings the northsiders played with their familiar grit & passion on their home pitch-one of the great fortresses of the LSDL. It was a real contrast in playing styles also - the big city boys employing a pressure high line defense with the villagers playing their usual languid,silky passing game - reminiscent of that famous Brazil side of 1982. Balla showed no respect for the table toppers and assumed an early lead before a fine Hickey strike restored parity. Then a tactical bull fight developed - the Ducks resembling a matador inviting the Balla bulls to attack before hitting them on the counter. With further goals from Oslakovic, Hickey and an inform Quinlivan - the Ducks seemed in full control at halftime.

But with a stiffening breeze developing in the 2nd half and the Balla men enjoying that advantage into the Thomondgate end of the ground - the game turned on its head. Two quick goals from Ryan and Keane equalised affairs and a helter skelter of a last quarter began to unfold. Farrell & Fogarty had to be immense in defense along with their ultra consistent skipper Casey and when Coolbawn stopper Knight retired with a thigh injury, another Coolbawn man - Gill was handed the goalies gloves once more.He would be a busy man as Balla piled on the pressure with tsunami’s of attacking play. Yet another Coolbawn man Hogan (in total 5 Meadow lads were involved ) was having a memorable outing on the left and his tussle with the Balla no 9, McCarthy was like a middle weight title fight in its intensity.

With the referee doing a fine job keeping a lid on proceedings, the match was on a knifes edge but Claret and Blue supporters were entitled to start thinking about their Saturday night celebratory vino of choice when a beautiful swerve of the hips from Cullen-Cinneide bamboozled his man down the left wing. Cullen went one way, Cinneide went the other and a beleaguered Balla Defender was left holding the hyphen as the razor sharp Kiely finished to the net before the pacey Lynch added a sixth after an assist from the live wire O’Connell.

All character building stuff but after what seemed like a late consolation goal from Balla went in, the fat lady had yet to sing her final verse and the ref handed the townies one last chance - this time from a 25 yard free kick. All 6ft 2 of the freshly introduced Dundon stood over the dead ball before curling an immaculate strike into the top right hand corner with the last action of the game - leaving all present wondering what if he had been present at the start (this reporter was informed at the post match press conference he had just flown in from a lads holiday in Magaluf).

So with their feathers ever so slightly ruffled after a tense affair - the Mighty Ducks still remain unbeaten after 3 games.

Manager Ken Casey spoke briefly with reporters after the game: “Listen - a point from Balla is always a point hard earned. We will park this performance and go again next week but our defensive coordinator will have to work hard during the week and iron out a few creases as we are conceding a few too many goals“.

So all in all after a real humdinger of a game - promotion to Division 1 is still very much on the cards for the Mighty Ducks from Scanlon Park.

Squad: Gill, Knight, Cullen-Cinneide, Casey(capt), Fogarty, Oslakovich, Hickey, Hogan, Farrell, Kiely, Lynch, Quinlivan, O’Connell.

Management: Casey, Gill.

Scorers: Hickey 2, Oslakovich, Lynch, Quinlivan, Kiely.

SUPER SATURDAY AT SCANLON

Local soccer fans were spoiled for choice this afternoon as both U12 teams played their first competitive home games of the season. An immaculate playing surface insured perfect conditions and both games did not disappoint.

Full match report from (soon to be Sports Write of the Year winner) Declan Gill

LSDL Premier League

Lisnagry FC 1 Pike Rovers 2

One could cut the tension with a knife around the hallowed grounds of Scanlon Park before kick off of this eagerly anticipated clash of Lisnagry and perennial LSDL table toppers, Pike Rovers. With both teams using the full width of the superb pitch and playing some very attractive, flowing football - it was apparent that it would take a little moment of genius to break the deadlock. Pikes high line was paying dividends but at the same time a packed village end terrace knew one precision pass could penetrate even this superb Crossagalla defence.

Although close on a number of occasions, Lisnagry were denied time after time with the Pike No 3 Ahuhange having an outstanding day at the office while the home goalkeeper Conway was keeping his team in the game with a string of excellent saves.

Then just on the stroke of halftime, the away team struck to gain a crucial advantage. Pike then began to assume control of the ball in the 2nd half despite moments of individual brilliance from Glynn, Ferte and Kett.

Going 2 up entering the closing minutes, Lisnagry did give their vocal support some hope with a well taken penalty in the 64th minute but at the final whistle, there was no argument that the marginally better side on the day were victorious.

All in all a plucky display against a well drilled Pike IX and plenty of positives to take away. But murmurs around Scanlon afterwards indicated the manager has just two more games to turn the season around before his club Chairman, ruthless multi millionaire NZ born businessman Greg Coulter wields the axe with young Ducks supremo Ken Casey tipped for the hot seat.

Squad: Conway, Ferte, O’Connor, Devine, McNamara, Glynn, MoLoughney, Gabri, Cronin, Kett, Ryan, Coulter, Moroney.

Management: Coulter, Kett, Devine,

LSDL Division 2

Lisnagry 5 Shelbourne 3

The Mighty Ducks are flying high at the top of Division 2 table with promotion on their minds after a resounding win over a well touted Shelbourne side that had sauntered to a 8-3 success the previous weekend.

Lisnagry threatened from the word go with the mercurial partnership of local boys Hickey & Hogan in complete control of the midfield battle. Just like they combined last week to score from a last ditch corner, Hickey sent in a pitch perfect inswinger with Hogan this time deciding to connect with a sensational volley.

Expensive new Belgian forward Maxime then slotted home to help justify his record transfer fee before the powerful Ben Gillen made it 3 to send the home crowd into raptures.

With Calor Kosangas Manager of the month Casey again pulling the strings from the sideline and full squad rotation in effect the Ducks supporters did suffer a few anxious moments as Shelbourne equalised in the 3rd quarter but 2 late goals from those men again - Maxime and Hogan - guaranteed the full points.

Special mention of the 2 goalkeepers who played a vital role in the win - the athletic Bartak and also Gill, who made a vital intervention in the closing minutes - nearly cutting the Shelbourne attacker in half with a shuddering goal saving tackle. As ex Munster branch Rugby Referee and popular man in the middle, Jimmy Clancy remarked after enquiring about the bone crunchers parentage - “he didn’t lick it off the ground”.

Squad: Bartek, Gill, Casey(capt), O’Connell, Lynch, Fogarty, Hickey, Hogan, Gillen, Gallagher, Maxime, Quinlivan, Ryan

Scorers: Hogan 2, Maxime 2, Gillen.

Management: Casey, Gill.