How quickly a game can change
Academy
U7s CSL Non Competitive League
Blarney v Ballincollig
Last Wednesday evening, May 19th, the Ballincollig Under 7s travelled to Blarney. The first period saw Ballincollig with a couple of shots on goal from Scott Kelly and Luke O’Sullivan before Blarney hit them on the counter-attack as Jamie Slavin, in goal, was unlucky to be wrong footed. Cillian Kierse and Darragh Moriarty were beginning to adapt to their new roles as defenders and Gabriel Czubak and Ryan Crowley were doing well to help them out from midfield. Then it was Ballincollig’s turn for a swift counter attack of their own, Darragh played a great ball out of defence up to Scott, who’d dropped back into midfield, he then quickly turned his marker, ran towards goal, and unleased a fierce left footed shot into the top right hand corner of the net. Luke and Scott then both had chances from set pieces before Ballincollig conceded again just before the break. Jamie made a great double save but the ball fell kindly to a Blarney player who coolly slotted it home.
The second period was a flurry of activity. The defence remained unchanged, Bryan Smith was introduced up front, with Paraic O’Keeffe and Mark Oldham brought into midfield. Jamie made a number of good saves early on to keep Ballincollig in the game. Darragh and Cillian were excellent in defence and Gabriel came more into the game. Then the floodgates opened with Paraic, Mark and Bryan now running riot up front. Ballincollig scored the next three goals, Mark setting up Bryan for two, and then Mark got one himself. Paraic had a couple of chances, one hitting the side netting, before Blarney replied with a great goal catching Ballincollig on the break. Bryan then grabbed his hat-trick with a right footed shot into the top left corner, and then followed up with another soon after. Just before the break Ballincollig all but sealed the win with Paraic scoring a stunning right footed shot from the edge of the penalty area.
The final period saw Luke and Paraic take over in defence with Jordan Murphy as the keeper. Scott and Ryan were brought into midfield as defensive cover. Ballincollig continued to play well with some nice passing moves, but Blarney were better able to compete in this period. Jordan made a couple of saves, Paraic and Luke did very well in defence. Scott and Ryan put in a good shift working up and down the pitch helping out both in defence and supporting the guys in attack. Then Mark and Bryan resumed normal service with a great run from Mark setting up Bryan who finished well. Ballincollig had a number of chances by Paraic, Scott and Mark before Blarney got their fourth just on the final whistle.
What a game and what a performance. Yet again the lads showed great improvement. Man of the Match has to go to Bryan with his five cool finishes, although the quality of the goals by Scott, Mark and Paraic pushed him close, and none of them would have had a chance without the rest of the team who were excellent. Well done lads.
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