U14 West Cork Schoolboys League Match Report & Roundup

COMPEITION: Under 14 West Cork Schoolboys League
TEAMS: Togher Celtic v Clonakilty AFC Youths
DATE: 1st September 2007
VENUE: Togher
FINAL SCORE: Togher Celtic 3 Clonakilty AFC Youths 1
SCORERS: Donal Rice (2), Maurice Murphy (Togher)
John O'Brien (Clonakilty AFC)

Togher Celtic defeated Clonakilty AFC Youths 3-1 in the opening match of the 2007-2008 West Cork Schoolboys U14 League season in Togher on Saturday. Celtic got their season off to a flyer with an impressive performance despite being short a host of first team regulars.

The hosts settled quickly and had the Clonakilty AFC defence on the back foot in a dominant opening period. Donal Rice had Togher's best opportunity of the opening exchanges when he crashed a sublime volley from the edge of the box onto the Clonakilty crossbar. AFC Youths custodian somehow managed to get a palm to the ball to help it onto the bar and the game remained scoreless.

Celtic were guilty of wasting a host of chances as the Clonakilty goal lead a charmed life. The home side’s attacks repeatedly faltered in the final third of the pitch. Clonakilty, through the midfield promptings of Daniel Laker and John O’Brien, struggled to get a foothold in the game. The home side finally broke the deadlock in the 18th minute after a period of sustained pressure. Donal Rice angled a shot into the net from the edge of the penalty area giving Togher a much deserved 1 - 0 lead. Celtic then had numerous opportunities to increase their lead but Rice, Maurice Murphy and Stephen O'Driscoll each failed when well positioned.

Togher were made to pay for their wastefulness in front of goal when the visitors grabbed a shock equaliser late in the half. Daniel Laker swung a free kick into the Togher Celtic penalty area. The hosts defence failed to clear and John O'Brien pounced to equalise. O'Brien rose highest to bravely flick a header over the out-rushing Rory Doyle to level the score at 1-1 at the interval.



The second half followed much the same pattern as the first with Togher enjoying the majority of possession and missing a series of glorious opportunities to re-take the lead. Clonakilty AFC Youths were indebted to their back four of O'Sullivan, O'Hea, Brennan and Feely in repelling the constant Togher attacks. Gearoid Brennan in particular put in a marvellous display at centre half.

Togher finally found the net for a second time with only 5 minutes remaining. Just when it seemed Clonakilty were going to hold on for an unlikely draw Maurice Murphy raced clear to put Togher back in front. Murphy ran on to a long punt out of defence and held off the challenges of Kyle Feely and Gearoid Brennan. The Togher striker showed great poise to drag the ball around goalkeeper, Aaron Hurley, and slip his shot into the empty net. Donal Rice made it 3-1 with the very last attack of the match. Rice was left unmarked in the Clonakilty penalty area and made no mistake with a simple tap-in from 6 yards to leave the final score Togher Celtic 3 Clonakilty AFC Youths 1.

Best for Clonakilty AFC Youths included Rubin O'Hea and Gearoid Brennan who each had excellent games in defence. John O'Brien capped a fine individual performance with a well taken goal. Daniel Laker was the heart of all of Clonakilty Youth's best moves and had an influential afternoon in the centre of the pitch. For the victors, Ciaran Bosma and David Ring gave nothing away in the centre of Togher's defence. The twin strike force of Maurice Murphy and Donal Rice weighed in with 3 goals and ran the AFC defence ragged. There were also notable performances from Brian O'Donovan, Keith and Kieran Daly.

Based on Saturday’s performance Togher Celtic will definitely be one of the teams to watch at U14 level this season. Clonakilty AFC Youths were outplayed for much of the game but deserve credit for competing right up to the final whistle. The AFC Youths will be a handful for any opposition if they can maintain that level of commitment for the remainder of the season.


Togher Celtic U14: Rory Doyle, Ian Crowley, Liam Crowley, Ciaran Bosma (Captain), David Ring, Keith Daly, Brian O'Donovan, Kieran Daly, Stephen O'Driscoll, Maurice Murphy, Donal Rice, Eoghan O'Driscoll and Paul O'Regan.

Clonakilty AFC Youths U14: Arron Hurley, Colm O'Sullivan, Rubin O'Hea, Gearoid Brennan, Kyle Feely, Barry Hayes, Colm Footman, Chris O'Donnell, James Clancy, Daniel Laker (Captain), John O'Brien, Cian O'Donovan, Matt O'Brien and Stephen Calnan.

Referee: Martin Coakley (WCSL)



West Cork Schoolboys League – Weekend Roundup
Riverside Athletic, Clonakilty AFC and Bunratty United all got off to winning starts in the opening weekend of the West Cork Schoolboys U14 League.

Bunratty United defeated Bay Rovers 3-0 in Kealkil on Saturday morning. United announced their intentions for the coming season with an excellent team performance against a new-look U14 Rovers side. Sean Kelleher but United ahead with a header from a corner in the 16th minute. Bunratty doubled their lead 2 minutes later with an own goal from a deflected shot off an unlucky Bay defender. The home side settled after a torrid opening period and created a series of half chances. Bunratty made sure of the points with 8 minutes to go courtesy of another headed goal. Josh Lenz-Lipitch flicked the ball into the Bay net from a corner to leave the final score Bay 0 Bunratty 3. Cathal Carroll, Aaron Minihane, Eoghan O’Sullivan and Gavin O’Shea were the pick of the Bay Rovers players. For Bunratty United, Josh Lenz-Lipitch, Gavin McEntaggart and Dermot O’Callaghan also impressed.

Bay Rovers: Cathal Carroll, Martin Hurley, Arron Minihane, Seamus O'Mahony, Cathal Power, Tom O'sullivan, Gavin O'Shea, Alex Karkalas, Kevin Casey, David Casey, Eoghan O'Sullivan, Padraigh Cronin, Stephen Casey, Chris Daeuchle, Nathan Wycherly and Daniel Barrett.

Bunratty United: Dermot O'Callaghan, Padraigh Scully, Edward McCarthy, Brendan Goggin, Daniel Morgan, Josh Lenz-Lipitch, Eddie Goggin, Gavin McEntaggart, Sean Evans, Sean Kelleher, Adam Collins, Padraigh Hegarty and Cathal Newman.


Clonakilty AFC travelled to Rathvane to take on Ballydehob on Saturday morning, with the home side making their debut at U14 level. The visitors went ahead through a fine Martin Scally effort early in the game. Bosko Minihane latched onto a Tadgh O'Mahony through ball to equalise just before the break. The second half belonged to Clonakilty who scored 4 times without reply. Tadgh Casey, Gearoid Barry (2) and Brian Hodnett all scored to earn AFC an impressive opening day victory. Ballydehob were short a host of first team regulars but take nothing away from Clonakilty AFC, who showed they will be a side to watch this year.

Harbour United were given a tough introduction to life in the U14 league courtesy of Riverside Athletic on Saturday. Athletic accounted for the U14 league newcomers in a very one-sided affair. Niall Lombard impressed for Riverside grabbing a hat-trick on the way to the Balineen side's victory. Harbour's inexperience at U14 level was cruelly exposed but they can only improve as the season progresses. Riverside Athletic are a certainty to be involved in the race for the U14 title this season.

The highly anticipated clash between U14 League champions, Drinagh Rangers and Skibbereen had to be postponed. Skibb and Lyre Rovers met in a friendly in Lyre on Saturday and an entertaining game finished 4-4. Skibb finished runners-up in the U14 play-offs to Drinagh last season but remain one of the favourites to de-throne the reigning Champions. Drinagh's first defence of their U14 title is at home to Togher Celtic on September the 15th. Skibbereen open their league campaign on the same date against Harbour United. Lyre Rovers will begin their campaign at home to Riverside.

WCSL WEEKEND RESULTS
U14 LEAGUE
Ballydehob 1 Clonakilty AFC 5
Bay Rovers 0 Bunratty United 3
Riverside Athletic 6 Harbour United 0
Togher Celtic 3 Clonakilty AFC Youths 1
Skibbereen vs. Drinagh Rangers - POSTPONED

U14 Friendly
Lyre Rovers 4 Skibbereen 4

Visit www.westcorkschoolboysleague.com for further details.