Under 12 Girls Cup Semi Final vs. Innishvilla

Under 12 Girls Division 2

Riverstown FC 0 – St. Marys 5

We described our last game against Youghal, where we won 5 – 0, as a perfect storm of football. Well, today was another perfect storm, except this time we were at the wrong end of it. It was a game that St Mary’s deserved to win and in truth they dominated it from start to finish. This is not to take away anything from our girls, St Mary’s were just better on the day.

We were under pressure from the off and without the brilliant work from goalie, Jenna Stacey, I’m afraid the score would have been worse. Throughout the game Jenna was simply fantastic, pulling off save after brilliant save and could not be faulted for any goal. Jenna almost had a man of the match performance, if it wasn’t for Kelly Lyons who stole the show today. Her marker was much taller than her, but Kelly wasn’t the slightest bit fazed by this, she played better than I ever saw her before and literally ran and ran until she nearly dropped.

Amy O’Lehan was not found wanting when it came to playing, she was great and when she dropped back to centre back she certainly steadied the ship. Jessy Lyons did a man marking job on the St Mary’s sharpshooter and helped limit the play of the super St Mary’s centre mid.

In the back line, Jennifer Byrne, Jessica Mehmet, Aoife O’Sullivan and Roisin O’Donovan played really well but as a unit found the St Mary’s attack difficult to deal with. Mid field Amy O’Lehane, Kelly and Jessie and Aishling O’Brien player very well indeed while up front Ciara O’Sullivan and Juliet Hennessy tried hard bit just couldn’t seem to break down a dogged St Mary’s defence.

Manager, Mary Tyner used her bench well as always and freshened up the Riverstown attack with some clever substitutions. Sinead O’Brien came on for sister Ashling, Sarah Tyner, whose improving with every match, really got stuck in while Sarah Costello was a revelation. With tricky footwork and shrewd use of the ball, Sarah really put on a display of football. Soairse McLatchy tried her best as usual. Sandra Brennan was fantastic up and down the right wing and put in some crunching tackles. Aoife Cronin is turning out to be a star and is one to watch for the future. Abbey O’Mahony is another who has a bright future in football, while Emily and Lauren are clearly set for fame.

All in all this was a good game and the girls might be disappointed. I don’t think they have anything to be disappointed about because everyone tried their best and sometimes you just come up against a better team on the day. That’s what happened today and we’ll be back training next week.

A get well wish from all the team to Aoife O’Brien who wasn’t feeling well today and whose Mum tells me was mighty disappointed not to be able to play.

Under 12 Girls Division 2

Youghal United 0 – Riverstown FC 5

On a beautiful crisp morning at Youghal, with perfect conditions for playing, Riverstown Girls came away with all 3 points. In the home leg of this game earlier in the season, Youghal won 5 goals to 4 but today they ran into the perfect storm. Riverstown were absolutely fabulous today and were worth every goal they got. The dominated every position for the entire match. From Jenna Stacey in goals to Sarah Costello and Ciara O’Sullivan up front this was a flawless display.

The writing really was on the wall for Youghal when Sarah Costello opened the scoring on five minutes. This was after great teamwork from Amy O’Lehan, Aileen McGrath and Aoife O’Brien. Great interplay between these players left the Youghal defense mesmerised and Sarah dispatched her goal with skill and class. Constant Riverstown pressure was the theme of the day and Amy O’Lehane was rewarded for her strong running with an unstoppable shot from 18 yards.

Ciara O’Sullivan – who put in a man of the match display – was tireless in her determination, she ran and ran all day and was very unlucky not to get the goal she deserved. Aoife O’Brien playing at centre mid was in complete control and scored a fabulous goal just before the break. She gathered the ball out on the wing, took on all comers and slotted super goal past the Youghal keeper.

Three nil at half time and Mary Tyner and Aine McClatchy make the best of use of the bench. Off came twins Kelly and Jessy Lyons who were at their usual best and on came twins Sinead and Aishling O’Brien. Ciara Tobin at centre back was brilliant and her contribution to this win was noted by the Youghal coach after the game.

O’Lehan, O’Brien and O’Sullivan were in deadly form and two more goals in the second half, one each from O’Lehan and O’Brien sealed this victory. Jessica Memeth in defense was rock solid all day. Sub Roisin O’Donovan added a new dimension to the Riverstown attack with constant running and clever use of the ball and was desperately unlucky not to get on the score sheet. But crowning a great day for Riverstown was a last ditch tackle by Saoirse McLatchy. Maybe the smallest player (and youngest) on the pitch, Soairse made the tackle of the season. It seemed the Youghal attack were at last going to score, their striker on the ball following a quick break from defense was bearing down on goal, it seemed that it was a certain goal but Saoirse somehow managed to make a fabulous intervention and came away with the ball – everyone – players, coaches, spectators and even the referee were loud in their praise of such a brilliant player.

Riverstown are now top of the table – which is rather remarkable seen as they had only got together as a team four months ago. There is no doubt that if they maintain this level of performance, they will be promoted this year.

Under 12 Girls Division 2

Riverstown FC 0 – Richmond FC 0

When ghosts and ghoulies were out scaring people around Glanmire this Halloween, Riverstown and Richmond played out an exciting draw at Eastcliff. Following two wins in a row, the Riverstown girls were in flying form and eagerly looking forward to the game. The game got off to a fairly slow start with both teams probing each others defenses. This was more like a chess game than a soccer match with both teams perfectly matched in every position. The mid field area saw most of the play and defenses on both sides were on top. A great through ball from Jessie Lyons found sister Kelly, who made a brave run through the heart of the Richmond defense. Kelly did all the hard work and seemed certain to score but a fantastic last gasp tackle by the Richmond centre back, saw the ball go out for a corner, although it was agonizingly close to going in. Kelly and Jessie were like panthers all day, chasing down every ball and doing a lot of hard work at mid field.

Amy O’Lehan was at her usual best, constantly moving onto loose ball, tackling and dribbling through tackle after tackle but today she was to find no reward despite all her hard work.

Ciara Tobin and Aoife O’Sullivan at centre back for Riverstown won every ball that came into their zone and they were ably helped by fantastic duo Sarah Tyner and Roisin O’Donovan. Between them the cleared every ball. The Richmond forwards didn’t get a ghost of a chance. Goalie Jenna Stacy proved unbeatable as usual and her kick outs were powerful, accurate and clever.

Ashling O’Brien on the left of midfield played brilliantly while Aileen McGrath and Ciara O’Sulivan up front ran their socks off but today the Richmond defense held firm.

Half time and manager Mary Tyner made her usual brilliant tactical substitutions. On came Aoife O’Brien who was absolutely fantastic again. Sitting behind midfield, nothing could get past her. Sinead O’Brien added great strength in dept to the Riverstown midfield while Saoirse McLatchie was outstanding at right back which made granddad, watching from the side, a very proud man indeed.

Juliet Hennessy made a high impact when she came on at midfield, helped no doubt by her new boots. A change of goalie, Jessica Quirke, took up where Jenna had left off and was wonderful in the face of an increasingly dangerous Richmond attack. Jennifer Byrne now playing at left back was rock solid. Another change of goalie, Sandra Dinan, kept up the good work and made a number of fine saves.

Sarah Costello now playing up front was desperately unlucky not to find the net but this did not daunt her and she ran and ran all day – simply brilliant. Erica and Megan, playing a deep role in front of the Riverstown mid field were absolutely outstanding.

There were a few scares at both ends with Richmond coming close but Riverstown had their chances too. A nil all draw was how it ended and I think that this was a fair result. It was a super game that neither side deserved to lose. Riverstown remain still remain top of the table after this result.

Under 12 Girls Division 2

Riverstown FC 5 – Passage 1

On a grey and wet Thursday at the Community Pitches, Glanmire, Riverstown came away with all three points. This was an eagerly anticipated match against a very talented Passage side. Riverstown were quickly out of the blocks with Amy O’Lehan and Aoife O’Brien making the pace at mid field, ably helped by Jessie and Kelly Lyons. If, at last week’s game, Jessie and Kelly played like lions, today they were like tigers, fighting for every ball.

Riverstown quickly asserted themselves with O’Lehan leaving all in her wake and was very unlucky not to get an early reward. Amy collected the ball in her own half and took on all comers. She weaved her way through tackles in midfield and waltzed through the defense and was incredibly unlucky to see her shot go inches outside the left upright.

But the Riverstown pressure was mounting. A clever throw in found O’Lehan who smartly split the defense with a terrific pass. Aoife O’Brien was on hand but still had work to do. She remained cool and slipped an unstoppable shot past the Passage keeper.

Forward duo, Sarah Costello and Ciara O’Sullivan were busy, putting pressure on the Passage backs while Ciara Tobin at Centre back was brilliant. Soirse McLatchy and Jennifer Bynre, the full backs, were in complete control.

Sandra Dinan, the Riverstown keeper had time to enjoy the play unfolding in front of her but never lost concentration and answered any questions that the Passage forwards could ask.

Close to half time O’Lehan got her reward with a great goal, again after an amazing run from mid field.

Half time saw the introduction of subs by the astute Mary Tyner, manager, with the O’Brien twins, Aishling and Sinead making an immediate impact. Juliett Hennessy was also fabulous with constant running and rock solid defending while Roisin O’Donovan and Niamh Toblin added a constant menace to the hard working Passage defense. Sarah Tyner, up front was superb and Emily Walsh and Aoife Crowley held the Riverstown defense as solid as iron. The flawless Jessica Quirke, replacing Dinan in goals, was outstanding.

Passage snatched a goal back after ten minutes, but this seemed to strengthen the Riverstown resolve. A brilliant goal from Ciara O’Sullivan restored the Riverstown lead and five minutes later O’Sullivan was on the end of a penetrating movement which she dispatched with cool nonchalance. Four goals to one and it seemed the game was over. It was certainly over when Roisin O’Donovan received a ball in mid field from the outstanding Hennessy. She tore through the heart of the Passage defense and placed a screamer into the roof of the net.

This win puts the girls on top of the table and a win in the important home game on Saturday against Richmond (because it is Halloween, perhaps Witchmond) could see Riverstown go well clear at the top.

Under 12 Girls Division 2

Avondale United 2 – Riverstown 3

This was a fabulous game where neither side deserved to lose. After a tentative start, with both sides probing the defenses, Riverstown were the first team to settle into the game. The game really exploded into life when Riverstown striker, Ciara O’Sullivan hit the crossbar with a 20 yard drive. Amazingly, this was followed minutes later when Amy O’Lehan hit the bar again with a long range effort. In the first quarter Riverstown had the best of the early exchanges but a well organized and hard working Avondale defense kept matters level until O’Lehan was rewarded with a smashing goal following a dizzying run through the heart of the Avondale defense. Jennifer Byrne, Riverstown right back was superb as she broke up wave after wave of Avondale pressure, while Aoife O’Sullivan, Riverstown centre back did a brilliant job organizing her defense.

Twins, Kelly and Jessie Lyons worked tirelessly in midfield and it seemed they never stopped running, winning their own ball, setting up attacks and defending like…. well lions. Half time saw Riverstown ahead by the bare minimum.

Riverstown manager, Aine McClatchy, made some astute substitutions at half time. The introduction of Aoife O’Brien brought renewed vigour to mid field but Avondale remained determined and drew level in the opening minutes of the second half. Immediately from the restart, the energetic and graceful Ciara O’Sullivan pounced on a loose ball and drove an unstoppable shot to the bottom corner to restore Riverstown’s lead. The game ebbed and flowed as spectators held their breath. Parity was restored when a fine run by the Avondale striker was rewarded with a stunning shot to the top corner. With time running out Riverstown pressed for the winner. Another set of twins, Aishling and Sinead O’Brien now playing at mid field were fantastic while Saoirse McClatchy in defense was rock solid. With minutes remaining Ciara O’Sullivan, who we could barely believe as still running, latched onto a great cross from the peerless O’Lehan, and finished into the top corner to give Riverstown their first win of the season.