26th Feb 17 - U12 P2 V Eire Og

Bantry Blues Juvenile Clubs season for 2017 started on Sun last (26/2/17) when our OKeeffes Supervalu sponsored U13s league campaign commenced. On a wild Sunday afternoon our young players headed to Ovens to take on Eire Og in the Opening round of the Central Premier 2 Division. A tough game was envisaged having moved up a grade from West Cork A. Having lost the toss the boys started their tough task playing into a very strong wind, but this did not deter their attacking spirit. With both sides exchanging  scoring opportunities, excellent defending against the wind by the Blues full back line of Conor Cronin, Ruairi OShea & Kyle OLeary kept the home side scoreless until against the run of play an opportunist goal scrambled across the line. As in the past when this team is under pressure they bounce back rapidly. Following some excellent play by midfielder Michael ODonovan & Daire Kingston , a funky weighted pass to corner forward  Rory Fitzgerald cheekily slotted home an equaliser. In the blustery conditions and being the first game back both sides were a bit rusty with a small bit of ground football being played. The home side scored some fine points with the aid of the breeze with the blues efforts falling short into the strong breeze.Excellent goalkeeping saves by Ronan OSullivan and great attack play by the halfback line of Cillian OBrien, Mark OgOSullivan & Oran Wiseman kept pressure on the opposing team. Fionn ODonovan at half forward played  a wonderful return ball to Daire Kingston who with a powerful left footed shot rattled the net. At the break the game was level 1-04 to 2-01.

On resumption the blues with the wind at their backs moved up a gear with Dara McSweeney getting on loose ball and Eoin ONeill taking some long range shots, two of which ended in the net having gone over the goalkeeper. The home side were not to be outdone and for a 10 minute spell took control scoring 3 goals putting pressure on the young blues.  The full forward line was now moving well with points from Jack Sheedy & Michael Daly. The blues emptied the bench to give all players game time and the replacements Eoghan ODonoghue, Ryan Walsh and Eoin McCarthy all slotted in seamlessly to their positions with Paddy Cronin producing a magnificent goal at the end following some excellent teamwork. The football on view was excellent given the conditions with the young blues block down count well in the double figures. The referee would have to be given top marks for his consistency in applying the rules and correct use of advantage rule.Full Time ; Eire Og 4-04 V 5-05 Bantry Blues

Bantry Blues U13s sponsored by O'Keeffes Supervalu

(26/2/17) U13 P2 V Eire Og

Ronan O Sullivan

Kyle OLeary

Ruairi OShea

Conor Cronin

Cillian OBrien

Mark Og OSullivan

Oran Wiseman

Daire Kingston

Michael ODonovan

Dara McSweeney

Eoin ONeill

Fionn ODonovan

Rory Fitzgerald

Jack Sheedy

Michael Daly

Subs

Eoghan ODonoghue

Ryan Walsh

Eoin McCarthy

Paddy Cronin

Rory Fitzgerald, 1.01

Jack Sheedy 0.01

Cillian O'Brien, 0.01

Micheal Daly 0.01

Daire Kingston 1.01

Owen O'Neill 2.00

Paddy Cronin 1.00

Team Management; Ivan Kingston, Ger OBrien, Gerdie Barry, John Cronin

> Photos thanks to ; Teri Cronin