Riverstown F.C.

Under 15 Division 4

Carrigaline Hibernian 7 – Riverstown FC 2

This was an astonishing result and one that Riverstown will feel certainly did not do justice to a wonderful performance. Carrigaline Hibs are a very good side but Riverstown put up a good show and will be disappointed with the result. All the more so when we consider that the bulk of this team is made up of U14s.

The game started briskly with Carrigaline making all the early play and constantly pressing the Riverstown goal. The were duely rewarded with a brilliant strike after 15 minutes and Riverstown will have no complaints. The one striking feature was the difference in height enjoyed by Carrigaline – at this age one year makes all the difference. The pressure continued for the next five minutes and was again rewarded by a long range strike by the Carrigaline number 7 and it looked very ominous indeed. However, Riverstown responded to the pressure and for the remainder of the half enjoyed the best of the play. Our under strength team – missing three regulars, responded brilliantly. This was the best football played all year by our boys, the passing was crisp, the movement fluent and the teamwork brilliant. Eoghan Gilroy placed a cushioned header into the path of Adam Bickerstaff and moved to receive the return pass, Gilroy spread the ball wide to Andrew Creech – who was fabulous all day. Creech was alert to Gilroy’s continued run and placed a wonderful pass into the box, Gilroy was one the end of it and beat the goalie with a curling ball into the bottom of the net. This was football at its best.

Within five minutes Paul Condon received the ball from a loose clearance and rifled a twenty yard effort into the top corner. This is becoming Paul’s trade mark – his third long range goal in as many matches. Carrigaline were rattled and withdrew into their own half. Half time couldn’t come quick enough for them.

We needed an early goal in the second half to maintain our dominance but without substitutes we knew it would be difficult. To our disappointment the early goal came from Carrigaline and they went one to assert their superiority in size and strength. Seven goals to two does not reflect the game although Riverstown concede that Carrigaline were better on the day. Ryan Aherne at Centre back was quite fantastic, his athleticism and strength ensuring that Carrigaline did not score even more, while Barry Twohig at left back is really a revelation. Kevin Barry, right back at U15 (normally right mid with the U14’s) had a great game. Andrew Creech played the best football of his career so far, while Paul Carroll at right mid did all that was asked of him and had a great game. Eoghan Gilroy was at his best and even though he was marked by a fellow about twice his size found enough room to cause the Carrigaline defense untold trouble. Ian Murray at left back was fantastic, while Adam Bickerstaff at left mid had a great game as well. Partick O’Donoghue, up front showed well for every ball and was an example of good forward play, while goalie, Cian O’Donovan could not be faulted for any goal.

Naturally disappointed with the result, there were a lot of positives in this game. The problem does not lie with the football ability of this side. The fact that eight of todays players are still U14 meant that they were up against it in terms of strength and 50; 50 balls were always going to be a problem – and so it was. But for heart, spirit and football ability, this game will stand to all the lads.

Cian O’Donovan, Ryan Aherne, Ian Murray, Kevin Barry, Barry Twohig, Paul Carroll, Paul Condon, Eoghan Gilroy, Adam Bickerstaff, Patrick O’Donoghue, Andrew Creech.

Eddie Byrne for Andrew Creech.

Scored; Eoghan Gilroy, Paul Condon.