U-11 Major League: St. Joseph’s 8 St. Francis 1
St. Joseph’s had an emphatic win against local rivals St.Francis at a foggy Monksland on Saturday. The home side dominated from the start, playing some really good passing football and winning all the 50/50 balls. St.Joseph’s built from a strong backline with Niall Fowler composed in goal and the back four of Rory Lennon, Eoin O’Neill, David McManus and Rory Barrett dealing with everything that came their way. Harry O’Rourke was outstanding throughout in midfield, ably assisted by Niall Connaughton with Brian Hannon and Damien Duff penetrating on the flanks. Up front, James Kilmartin showed good touches and Ciaran Lennon weighed in with no less than five goals. St. Joseph’s led 4-1 at half-time after a superb hat-trick from Ciaran Lennon and a fine strike from Harry O’Rourke. Subs, Kevin Kelly and Darragh Kildea kept the pace up in the second half as Ciaran scored two more and Kevin Kelly and Damien Duff added good goals to round off a comfortable win. The St. Joseph’s lads are showing great improvement game by game with all the hard work in training really paying off.
U13 Premier: St Josephs 3 Ballinasloe 1
Despite dominating the early possession St Joseph’s found themselves 1-0 down after 8 minutes in this lunchtime game last Sunday. The home team responded well after this early setback and the scores were levelled just before half time when Cathal Callinan controlled the ball on his chest and gave the keeper no chance with a fantastic volley into the top corner. St Joseph’s then took the lead when ‘Man of the Match’ Martin Flannery won possession at the back , carried the ball into midfield and played a great through ball to Shane Lacey who confidently slotted the ball home. With five minutes to go the outcome was put beyond doubt when Cathal Callinan picked out Jamie McBride who took the ball forward and found the bottom corner of the net with a calm finish. Strong performances also from Noel and Colin Cotton contributed to a deserved victory for Joseph’s, to maintain their 100% record this season.
U13 Div 1: St Joseph’s 2 St Francis 1
A determined all round team performance saw the home side come away victorious from this closely fought encounter at a cold and windy Cushla Park last Sunday afternoon. Unlucky to find themselves 1-0 down at half time and with Dylan Colgan and Aiden Tumulty withdrawn due to injury, St Joseph’s battled back well to win the game in the second half with well taken goals from captain Dylan Earle and super sub David Griffen. Before Earle’s equaliser the home side were unlucky on several occasions, most notably from a clever effort by Gary Mannion who spotted the keeper off his line and, from the halfway line, sent a dipping lob inches outside the top of the post. A confident display from Ronan McAlary in goal, and a solid back four of Eoin Hannon, Gary Nicholson, Conor McAlary and Brandon Ryan, ensured that there was no further joy for the visitors in the second period. Damola Akinfaye was strong in midfield throughout and substitute Darragh Lennon gave fresh impetus on the flank in the second half. St Joseph’s held out in the end despite a last ditch shot by St Francis which saw the ball heading into the top corner only to be denied by the head of Sean Kenny who also could have had hat-trick himself were it not for a series of excellent saves by the Francis keeper. Hopefully this will be the turning point of the season for this ever improving St Joseph’s side.
Other results from the weekend:
U11 Div 1: St Joseph’s Bulls 3 St Joseph’s Bears 0
U16: Ballinahowen 2 St Joseph’s 4
Well done to all teams from club sponsors Athlone Springs Hotel
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