Futsal Tournament
On Saturday 1st March Claremorris Under 10's had a thrilling
victory in the 2008 Futsal Tournament when they pipped Charlestown
Athletic in the final by 4 - 3.
Ciara Nally Ryan McDonnell Hannah Cleary Mark Lusson Sean
Mc Guinness Brian Mc Guinness
Patrick Barry Daniel Huane Conor Keaney Conor Diskin Jurgen Pilbrow
Donal Heaney Nicole Lavelle
A GAME that brought bundles of talent and a lot of emotion to the grounds of Claremorris AFC on Saturday morning last, saw Newbridge Town battle it out with home side, Claremorris AFC, for a place in the last 16 of the U-12 SFAI Cup.
The opening ten minutes were dominated by the visiting side. Long runs down both wings and quick breaks throughout midfield had the Claremorris defence under severe pressure.
Amidst it all, Steve Gallagher did well for the home side keeping the speedy Barry Coffey under control. Midway through the first-half, Claremorris started to make up some lost ground and Jamie O’Brien and Darren Connolly combined on a couple of occasions leaving the visiting defence startled. However, Claremorris did not have their first realistic chance until the 27th minute.
A commanding shot from O’Brien managed to deceive Cian Walsh in the
New-bridge goal but a brilliant block on the line from defender Robert
Mullen kept the ‘bridge in the game. The teams took to the dressing
rooms at half-time with everything still to play for in the second half.
As the second half opened, it was nip and tuck again throughout. James Stenton made some notable moves within the opening minutes for Claremorris, and they applied further pressure on the Newbridge defence in the 10th minute.
A well delivered ball from Barry Heart met Darren Connolly outside the box, but with just a little time to think, he slightly rushed his chance and alas, there passed a golden opportunity.
The visitors answered this burst of Claremorris play with pressure of their own and when a ball fell to the feet of Barry Coffey just yards from the goal line, without hesitation, he struck the ball to the back of the net with a powerful finish. But this set-back seemed to have a positive effect on the Claremorris side who went on to battle even harder in the closing minutes. The side netting and posts were all hit but the goal just would not arrive.
Both sides gave it their all for 60 minutes and although Claremorris bowed out, they showed plenty of skill throughout.
Claremorris: Ciaran McDermott, Steve Gallagher, Andrew Shelly, Ian Stage, Aiden Butler, James Stenton, Jamie O’Brien, Ryan Quirke, Sean Gill, Darren Connolly, Barry Heart.
Newbridge: Cian Walsh, Robert Mullen, Shane Murphy, Conor Cuarve, Michael Fitzgerald, Jamie Smith, Robert Fitzgibbon, Sean Cahill, Cian O’Brien, Barry Coffey, Keith Egan.
Claremorris broke Westport hearts on Sunday morning last, with their mission accomplished when clinching the U-12 AIB Cup, with a deserved 3-1 victory. From Number 1 to 11, each club approached the game in a very mature manner with both sides well kitted out from their respective sponsors.
The encounter itself proved to be a great advertisement for this competition with good support for both teams. And although the strong breeze threatened to ruin the run of play at times, the display of soccer skills and some clinical touches surpassed other games in the competition.
Claremorris got the off to the perfect start, with a goal coming after 15 minutes. A cross from Darren Connolly, was headed away by Westport’s Aaron Haper but the ball fell back to play into Claremorris’ Sean Gill, he in turn passed the ball to Ryan Quirke and his kick dipped in behind Laurence O’Malley’s outstretched fingers and into the back on the net.
Prior to this, attacks had ebbed and flowed both ways, within the opening minutes Westport’s Austin Gibbons sent in a free kick, only for the ball to make contact with the ground earlier than expected and bounce into goalkeeper Mc Dermott’s hands.
After the Claremorris goal, it didn’t leave Westport shell shocked, they kept running forward, Jamie Fallon was unlucky not to push his side level, on 17 minutes, but his kick got clipped by his back heel as he released the ball. Claremorris counter attacked and a shot by Sean Gill, just crept inches past the far post.
Westport United’s Jamie Fallon again, combining with the only girl on the field Avril Kennedy, surged through, but excellent defending by Steven Gallagher cleared the ball to safety. Laurence O’Malley put in an awesome display in the goal mouth, and only for his excellent save with his feet denying Darren Connelly, as Connelly sprinted past the Westport defenders.
Avril Kennedy was then fouled and her teammate Jamie Fallon took the free kick, the ball reached Conal Joyce but awaiting the attack also was Ian Stagg who tactfully averted the danger.
But Westport did strike back with avengance on 29 minutes. A superb goal from Jamie Fallon, snuck inside the keeper’s post, to leave the sides deadlocked at one-all at half time.
An exciting second half loomed and Claremorris made the more superior start, a free kick floated into the goalmouth but O’Malley gathered the ball gracefully.
On 36 minutes a cross from Sean Gill from out near the far sideline, was well taken down by Darren Connolly but the ball just ran off the top of his toe. Connelly, Ryan Quirke and Jamie O’Brien were tormenting Westport’s stretched defence.
James Stretton spotted an unmarked Darren Connelly; but Connelly’s attempt was again saved by O’Malley, who was by far the busier of the two ‘keepers. Claremorris were awarded a plethora of corners with Ian Stagg the entrusted kicker of them, but the goalmouth was too congested for anything to materialise when the ball was sent in. Like in the first half, Claremorris struck for a goal again on the quarter mark.
A move which was instigated by James Stretton, found its way to Sean Gill, Gill ran the marathon run with ball at his feet, gliding through the field and laid the ball off to his right to Darren Connolly, who rifled the ball to the back of the net.
Claremorris then began to dominate after this juncture. With attack after attack, involving Ryan Quirke, Sean Gill, Cathal Egan, and subst itute Barry Healy. Westport failed to deal sufficiently with the Claremorris attacks, and though they battled bravely Claremorris were just one step ahead of them all the time.
Late in the second half, with only minutes to the full time, Claremorris ensured victory for the wearers of the green and white when Barry Healy sent in a massive kick from way out, the ball didn’t seemed too dangerous, but as it lost its elevation it dipped alarming close to the goal and in behind the keeper for the third and final goal of the game. Shortly after this one of Wesports heros their hard working goalkeeper Laurence O’Malley hurt his hand and had to be replaced. But the game was well and truly over at this stage.
A special and memorable day etched forever in the minds of the young men from Claremorris, not only the starting 11 but also the substitutes introduced such as Barry Healy, Conor Brennan, Steve Mc Guinness, Caolan Colman, Andrew Loftus, managers and parents alike. A special word must also go to referee Jimmy Blake and his team of officials, who officiated in such a professional manner.
Claremorris: K. McDermott, S. Gallagher, A. Shally, I. Stagg, A. Butler, J. Stretton, J. O’Brien, R. Quirke, S. Gill, D. Connolly, C. Egan. Subs: B. Healy for Egan, C. Brennan for O’Brien, A. Loftus for Gill, C. Coleman for Connelly.
Westport UTD: L. O’Malley, C. McFadden, C. Geraghty, A. Gibbons, A.
Haper, N. Duffy, S. Costigan, L. Staunton, J. Fallon, C. Joyce, A.
Kennedy. Subs: J. O’Connor for Kennedy. C. O’Doherty for O’Toole.
Referee: Jimmy Blake.
