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