Midlands
Kennedy Cup 2024
Midlands
1
Limerick
Desmond 2
After
an early second half goal from Jordan Daly it looked like Midlands would hold
out but one of the home teams netted twice in the last few minutes to take all
three points.
It
was Midlands who started the brighter with
Lochlann Fletcher carving out a chance which was well saved. The home
side then wrestled back control up until the water break but the Midlands
defense held them out well. After the break both sides carved out chances but
couldn't make a breakthrough before halftime.
Within
minutes of the resumption substitute Jordan Daly expertly finished into the net
after a great pass from …
It
was the away side that controlled the game up until the last ten minutes. With
eight left on the clock Dan Healy lashed a penalty into the top corner.
With
time almost up both sides created chances to win the game an Antosh Stasczak effort was expertly saved.
With the last play of the game Leon O’ Connor finished expertly to ensure victory for his side.
Midlands
2
Cavan/
Monaghan 1
In a
role reversal of the first game as the
Midlands fought back to win this tie in the last couple of minutes to
grab their first three points of the tournament.
From
early on the Midlands side pressed up high on there opposition
This
nearly paid off after four minutes when Lochlann Fletcher's effort flew over
the bar. Moments later they thought they had broken the deadlock only for the
offside flag to be raised .
After
the water break all the chances still came to the side in black with Cormac
Graham, Cillian Gavin and L Fletcher all coming close .
After
the break and against the run of the Northern side opened the scoring when Eoin
Kelly long range free kick evaded everyone to find the back of the net
Not
to be deterred, Lochlann Fletcher leveled the tie within three minutes.
It
wasn't until five minutes to go when Midlands finally took the lead as Antosh
Stasczak was awarded a penalty which was slotted away by Joshua Coyne to give his side a well deserved
victory.
Midlands
0
South
Belfast 3
It
wasn't to be for the youthful Midlands side as their Northern counterparts got
the better of them in their final group game.
This
result meant they finished 3rd in their group.
It
was clear from the outset that the Midlands would be up against it as the
Belfast side kept up there good form from the beginning of the tournament
The
Midlands side did produce a very good defensive display in the first half
keeping their counterparts scoreless up until the break.
It
wasn't until just before the second water break that the deadlock was finally
broken when Rocco Devlin opened the scoring with a well taken goal. After the
final break two more goals were added, the first from Beto Unhabo with eight
minutes remaining before Devlin finished off the scoring when he doubled his
tally for the day.
The
Midlands were drawn to play Clare in the shield quarter final on Wednesday
evening in UL.
Midlands
3
Clare
5
A
five star performance from Clare striker Kalyum Mata saw them beat Midlands
after what was a strong first half performance
from the opposition.
From
the outset the Munster side had more possession than their opponents but
couldn't break down a strong Midlands defense. After the water break and
against the run of play the Midlands side managed to net three goals inside ten
minutes. The first of these was a great pass from David O’ Shea to Sam Meegan
who controlled and finished expertly
into the corner. This goal changed the course of the game as the side in
blue kept pushing forwards and minutes later had doubled their advantage when
Culainn McEvoy managed to head in a ball from a corner. With the last play of
the half Midlands extended there lead when Clare’s Daithí Ryan put the ball
into his own net.
It
looked like the tie was out of sight but one man changed this quarter final in
the second half. This was Clare strike Kaylum Mata who managed to find the net
five times in the second half. The last two of his goals coming in added to time to give his side a
victory which looked out of the question at the interval.
Midlands
now play Carlow in the shield placing game at midday Thursday
Midlands
1 Pen 5
Carlow
1 Pen 4
After
a tough day yesterday this Midlands side showed some serious character to win a
penalty shootout against their neighbors Carlow.
From
the outset of this game it was very clear that nothing would separate the sides
as they were so well known to each other. Between the water break and half time
the Midlands side did gain a foothold but couldn't get the breakthrough that
their play deserved.
Moments
after the game resumed it was Carlow who broke away against the run of play to
take the lead with a strike from Owen Fitzharris. Within a couple of minutes
the tie was leveled as Sam Meegan controlled a pass from Conor Keeshan to fire
home.
As
the final whistle drew closer penalties looked inevitable this was until Carlow
were awarded one which was brilliantly saved by Tom McCaul.
This
save brough the tie to the dreaded penalty shootout.
Midlands
managed to score all five of their penalties through Jayden Daly, Mark Dunne,
Sam Meegan, Donnacha Seery and the final one of the boot of Joshua Coyne.
Another
save on the final effort from McCaul ensured victory for his side.
Leaving
them to play Wicklow on Friday morning.
Placing
match 21st/22nd
Midlands
2
Wicklow
4
It
wasn't to be for the Midlands today after a spirited effort there southeast
opponents got the better of them in a six goal thriller on Friday morning.
From
the opening whistle Midlands defended with a lot of heat and were eventually
broken down when Wicklow fired in a direct free kick to take the lead. This
didn't stop the side as the battle back to create chances before the break but
they couldn't make the breakthrough before the half time whistle.
After
the break Midlands leveled the tie after four minutes when Sam Meegan’s rocket
flew into the top corner of the net. They were pinned back moments later as the
opposition took the lead for the second time. Just before the second break in
play the tie was level again as Oliver Gouliding found the back of the net.
This
was the closest they got as Wicklow netted
twice in the last fifteen minutes to ensure victory .
A
special mention goes to goalkeeper Damiel Hynes who was rushed to hospital last
night and couldn't make the final match.
After
the final whistle we got the thoughts of Midlands manager Darren Whelan.H e
believes that “ it's a tournaments of ups and downs really.” he notes that his
side are small but still wanted to play football and stick to their principles.
He explains that even coming up against bigger teams “ that sticking to his
teams principals was the highlight of the tournament for him and his coaches .”
Midlands
Squad:
Tom
McCaul; Mullingar Athletic
Antosh
Stasczak: Kinnegad Juniors
Marius
Buividavicius: Mullingar Athletic
Aaron
Martin: St Joseph’s
Culainn
McEvoy: Portlaoise AFC
Connor
Keeshan: Birr Town
Cormac
Graham: T+S Utd
Sam
Meegan: St Francis
Jayden
Daly: Tullamore Town
Cillian
Gavin: St Joseph’s
Ilyan
O’Dwyer;Portlaoise AFC
Conor
O’ Neill: Temple Villa
David
O Shea: Tullamore Town
Lochlann
Fletcher: Frankford Utd
Joshua
Coyne: Hodson Bay Celtic
Daniel
Hynes: Edenderry Town
Mark
Dunne; Killeigh SBG
Oliver
Goulding: Edenderry Town
Donnocha
Seery: Edenderry Town
Danny
Breen; Portlaoise AFC
Head
of Delegation: Derek Collins
Manager:
Darren Whelan
Coach;
Simon Dagg
Coach
Ciaran Nestor
GK
Goach
Ken
Gorman
Analyst:
Ethan Dagg
Coach:
Cormac Nee.
https://www.westmeathindependent.ie/2024/06/21/mixed-fortunes-in-kennedy-cup-for-midlands-outfit/
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