Sunday, June 29, 2008

5 Future Stars of the West Cork Schoolboys League

Ger McCarthy, profiles five players from this season’s SuperValu West Cork Schoolboys U12 League, highlighting each player’s potential as a star of the future. Whilst every U12 team in the SuperValu League possess numerous talented individuals within their squad, this article focuses on five players in particular whose performances stood out this season.

The first is a prolific goal-scorer who has terrorised defences all over West Cork this season. The second is the quickest player over 10 yards in the U12 league. The third and fourth are the most prodigious talents for the respective sides and the fifth is one of the most accomplished defenders at his age-grade.

Some of the most gifted young footballers in the West Cork region are currently playing in the SuperValu West Cork Schoolboys U12 league. Five players in particular have lit up the league with their inspirational performances this term. The FAI deserves some credit for their increasing presence at grass-roots level in the West Cork area. Having laid the basic foundations for the future development of Irish football with the publication of the Technical Development Plan in 2004, the FAI has since developed specific strategic plans for Emerging Talent. Their Emerging Talent programme has been a resounding success this year, gathering some of the best underage players in Clonakilty for weekly specialist training in an effort to both improve and enhance their undoubted talents.


Name: Conor O'Driscoll
Club: Bunratty United U12
Position: Striker
Conor O'Driscoll finished top scorer in this season’s SuperValu WCSL U12 League following a remarkable return of over 30 goals for Bunratty United. The prolific striker netted over 20 league, 7 National Cup and 6 U12 Cup strikes for Bunratty in a memorable campaign. The young striker capped off a tremendous year by being called into the WCSL U13 representative side for this summer's Kennedy Cup tournament in Limerick. Blessed with lightning pace and a devastating burst of speed, O'Driscoll has terrorised every defence he has come across this year. One of the Bunratty striker’s most memorable performances occurred in Town Park Schull, back in February, when he came off the bench to inspire an unlikely victory over Riverside Athletic. The Balineen club were leading 2-1 and looking comfortable until the introduction of O'Driscoll. Despite suffering from a heavy cold the talismanic striker scored an amazing five times and proved the difference in a remarkable 7-2 turnaround. O’Driscoll’s Man of the Match performance - including a tremendous hat trick - inspired Bunratty United to a West Cork Schoolboys U12 Cup final victory over Bay Rovers back April.


Name: Stephen McCarthy
Club: Skibbereen U12
Position: Striker
Stephen McCarthy is another hugely gifted player who looks set to spearhead Skibbereen to further success in the coming seasons. McCarthy amassed over 20 goals this term as part of an enormously talented Skibbereen U12 squad. The Baltimore Road club enjoyed a remarkable run in the SFAI National Cup earlier this season gaining notable victories over Corinthian Boys, Rockmount and Riverstown before finally succumbing to Lakewood in the Round 4 of the Cork section. McCarthy was by far Skibbereen’s best player during that run, scoring 5 goals and displaying his undisputed class in leading the Skibbereen forward line against more illustrious opposition. Stephen possesses devastating pace over 10 yards and showed his eye for goal despite being man-marked for much of Skibbereen’s National Cup campaign. Skibb finished runners-up in the SuperValu U12 League to Clonakilty AFC with McCarthy the pick of their players during the play-offs.



Name: Jack O'Mahony
Club: Clonakilty AFC U12
Position: Midfielder
Jack O'Mahony was one of the main driving forces behind Clonakilty AFC’s dramatic SuperValu U12 League title win this season. Son of the legendary former Clonakilty and Cork Inter-county Senior football star, Eoin O’Mahony, Jack demonstrated his seemingly boundless energy with a succession of all action displays in a tremendous season. A true box to box midfielder, O’Mahony was just one part of an immensely talented AFC squad that saw off the challenge of both Skibb and Bunratty to capture the U12 league. The central midfielder has also weighed in with his fair share of goals in a free scoring side, netting regularly throughout the campaign. The current crop of Clonakilty AFC U12’s have every chance of winning additional silverware in the coming years with Jack O’Mahony an integral part of any future success.



Name: Don O'Driscoll
Club: Drinagh Rangers U12
Position: Midfielder
Don O’Driscoll was Drinagh Rangers U12’s best player of the 2007-08 campaign. Ask any opposing manager who they thought the best player on the Drinagh team was and most Saturday’s the same answer was given: Don O’Driscoll. The young midfielder is remarkably comfortable on the ball and possesses a natural instinctive ability to find a team mate whenever in possession. Whilst not a prolific goal-scorer, O’Driscoll still contributes with a host of assists and his continuing development marks him down as a player of the future for the Cannon Crowley Park club. Drinagh failed to make the end of season U12 play-offs but will look forward to 2008-09 with renewed hope. The club have a history of producing a long line of exceptional underage talent with the emergence of Don O’Driscoll this term further proof of a bright future.



Name: Jack Hurley
Club: Ardfield U12
Position: Centre Back
2007-08 was Ardfield's first season in the SuperValu WCSL U12 League and they found the going tough to say the least. Despite a succession of defeats there were many encouraging team performances. Without a doubt their most consistent player during the 07-08 campaign was their inspirational team captain, Jack Hurley. Hurley (who has yet to turn twelve years of age) consistently demonstrated his strength and total dedication to his defensive duties in the centre of Ardfield’s defence. The Carrigroe club’s young captain caught the eye of many an opposing manager during the season with a succession of superb displays. Hurley is deceptively quick, an excellent tackler and composed in possession. The Carrigroe club will be a force to be reckoned with in the coming years with Jack Hurley excelling in the heart of their defence.