U12s A2 Jako Cup Final

U12s A2 Jako Cup Final

Rathnew 2

Greystones Utd B 1

Eoin Horkan

Arklow Celtic FC

Last Saturday in the first of the cup finals was played in sweltering heat in Arklow. The first of these finals between Rathnew and Greystones was what all cup finals should be a close battle between two great sides.

The game started off quite tight with both sides looking nervous when they were on the ball. Rathnew then started to settle themselves down. Rathnew managed to manufacture themselves a free kick after some nice build-up play. Rathnew striker and captain Jamie Moorehouse Hayden took control of the situation. His strike from the free outside the box deflected against the edge of the wall and made its way into the bottom corner of the net. The next section of the game went by with very little incident with Rathnew still slightly on top but not been able to make many penetrating moves.  With the fact it was so warm the teams were allowed a water break halfway through the first half. Whatever was said to the young Greystones boys at the break helped them as they started to get more of the ball this resulted in a great chance just after the break when midfielder Charlie McKenna got hold of the ball in a dangerous position, but just couldn’t keep his shot down as it flew over the bar.

In response, Rathnew industries winger Lennon Mcgettigan Byrne got half a chance but his shot from a narrow-angle just went wide of the post. As the game was edging towards half-time Greystones midfielder Luke Smyth got control of the ball and with a Maradona esque slalom run he got straight through the defense and finished the ball into the back of the net. Leaving the game level at the break

The second half started off very much like the first with both teams containing each other well. Until after some fine build-up lead to a chance for Greystones Jamie Kavanagh who effort was saved well by Rathnew keeper Scott Doyle.  The game started to open up now with Rathnew starting to dominate. This led to two quick-fire chances the first for striker Hayden which was well saved by James O Dowd in the Greystones goal. From the resulting corner, O Dowd made another fantastic save to keep his side in the game. As it looked like the game was heading towards extra time Rathnew hit a sucker punch from a corner with the keeper making a good initial save the ball was rolling around the box. Rathnew poacher Patrick Grezyco managed to get his foot to the ball to put it in the net. That goal ended the game as a contest as Rathnew held possession and closed the game out too gives them a great cup final win.

Rathnew; 1, Scott Doyle, 2  Izzy Richardson 3, Darragh Leavy, 4,  Emmett Ronan 5,, Tynan Read, 6,  Lennon McGettigan Byrne, 8, John Hunter,9,  Jamie Moorehouse Hayden, 10,  Patrick Grezyco

Subs used; 11, Leo Read for Izzy Richardson, 7, Bill Moorehouse for Lennon McGettigan Byrne, Lennon on for Tynan Read 

Greystones 1, James O Dowd, 2, Cian Divilly, 12, Cathal Byrne, 8, Dary Smith, 5Luke Smyth, 6 Charlie McKenna 7 Jamie Kavanagh, 10 Noah Ryan, 11 Sean Barry

Suns used; 9 Thomas Large for Jamie Kavanagh,4 Sebastian Neaw for Sean Barry,13 Joe Creed for Charlie McKenna, 3  Sean O Nualain for Sean Barry 

U12s A1 Jako Cup Final

U12s A1 Jako Cup Final

Coolboy 0

Avonmore A 1

Eoin Horkan

Arklow Celtic FC

The second final of the day was played in yet warmer conditions which led to both teams displaying to us some very open and attacking football.

Coolboy came out of the blocks firing on all cylinders they nearly took the lead from a corner inside the first couple of minutes. Unfortunately for them, the header from Killian O Keefe flew over the bar. There was a carbon copy two minutes later but unfortunately, the effort from the corner flew over the bar. Avonmore striker Mark Reilly almost managed to get in behind the Coolboy defense but the defender stood his ground and Mark shot flew over the bar. Coolboy were in almost complete control of the game when midfielder Lee Doyle got the ball but after getting past a couple of players his effort went just wide of the Avonmore goal. Coolboy fine play was starting to come to the fore as there number 10 ... Cullen got behind the Avonmore defense but his shot flew wide of the near post.

Avonmore chances were few and far between but they did manage to carve the odd chance. From a corner, the ball came back out to the taker Leighton Doyle who cut inside the defender but his effort flew over the bar. Coolboy midfield was still dominant this led to another chance for Lee Doyle who put his shot straight at the keeper. As the half was drawing to a close coolboy winger Eoin .... Was running on to a through ball but the Avonmore keeper got there just in front of him. Leaving  the scores level at the interval

Whatever was said to Avonmore at the break changed this game completely. They came out at the start of the half and started playing some lovely football. This resulted in the finest move of the game with the ball ending up at the feet of the aforementioned Reilly who slid the ball into the corner of the net. The goal came completely against the run of play.  Coolboy kicked back into gear almost immediately creating another chance but after a great shot from Cain Byrne, the Avonmore keeper made a fine save.  Cullen had yet another great chance for Coolboy but yet again the keeper pulled off a fine save.  Keepers were on top in this period with Coolboy goalie Callum Keenaghan pulling off to fine saves in quick succession from Reilly again. Coolboy chances were fading quickly as time ticked on eventually you could see their heads dropping as they tried everything in their power to score but try as they might this never transpire. Avonmore held on for a very hard fought 1-0 win

Coolboy; 1; Callum Keenaghan, 7 Cian Byrne, 4; Thomas Kelly, 11 Eoin,,,, 8 Conor Hamilton 9 Bryan Tullan 3  Killian O Keefe 6, Lee Doyle,,, Cullen

Avonmore 1 , Reece Magee, 2, Oscar Dowling, 3, Joe Sinnott, 5 Leighton Doran 6, Kian Fluskey, 7,  Mark Reilly, 8, Gavin Cullen 12,  Paddy Harper

Subs on 11, Conor Hayes and 10 Ethan Tarmey