U11 Cup: St. Joseph’s 4 Mullingar 1
St. Joseph’s will take the advantage into the 2nd leg after an exciting and competitive cup match in Cushla Park. After a tense opening ten minutes with the home side generally on top, the deadlock was broken when handball was given in the Mullingar area. Harry O’Rourke stepped up to calmly slot home to the corner of the net. With Niall Connaughton and Ian Naughton driving forward from midfield and Ciaran Lennon holding the ball up well, St. Joseph’s were always dangerous. Damien Duff shot narrowly wide and then Harry O’Rourke scored his and St. Josephs’ second with a great 20 yard volley that gave the keeper no chance. James Kilmartin poked home a typical poacher’s goal to leave it 3-0 at half time. Mullingar came out strongly after the break and quickly pulled a goal back and then pushed hard for a second. However with Niall Fowler composed in goal, the back line of Rory Lennon, Eoin O’Neill, Sean Fallon and David McManus stayed strong to repel the onslaught. Gradually, St. Joseph’s came back into the game as wide men Darragh Kildea and the strong running Brian Hannon began to make inroads down the flanks. In the last minute Harry O’Rourke completed his hat-trick with his second penalty to leave St. Joseph’s with a handsome lead for the second leg. Overall, a dogged display but further improvement is required especially in the area of ball retention.
Other results from the weekend:
U13 Prem: Temple Villa 0 St Joseph’s 2
U13 Div1: St Joseph’s 1 Connaught Celtic 3
Well done to all teams from club sponsors Athlone Springs Hotel
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