Convincing Win over Kingdom representatives
U12 Premier Team sponsored by Walfab Engineering
SFAI U12 Norton Cup Round of 32
Regional Park
Ballincollig 4 – 0 St. Brendan’s Park
A convincing win sees Ballincollig into the last 16 to face Athy Town in Kildare. The game was played in the Regional Park in great weather before a large crowd for which the home team was very grateful.
Ballincollig established a hold on the game early on but it took a while to get the first goal. On the quarter hour mark, a long pass over the top from Kevin Browne in midfield, set Japhet Mata away and he made no mistake with his finish, low to the goalkeeper’s right. Ballincollig launched raids down the flanks with Jamie Manahan & Ruairi Cotter causing problems. Brian O’Callaghan battled well up front again just behind Japhet and used the ball intelligently when needed. He put in a few defence splitting passes and it was from one of these that Ruairi crossed for Japhet to finish again to score for his second of the game. The away side found it difficult to get hold of the ball and Sean Lucey in midfield put himself about well. At half time the ’Collig were still two goals to the good
The second half started well again for Ballincollig, but after 10 minutes, the Tralee side got on top for a spell. Despite this and the pressure they encountered, the defence held firm in front of goalkeeper Aidan O’Donovan. The only time that Aidan was beaten, Evan O’Mahony popped up on the goal line and cleared the ball with his right foot at full stretch. David O’Leary also cleared with a header from an incoming forward and so Ballincollig breathed easy again. Following this, Ballincollig were awarded a free kick of their own at the other end of the pitch. Up stepped Shane O’Mahony and made no mistake from 25 yards to make the score 3-0. This knocked the fight out of Tralee and the last 5 minutes was spent in their half. There were also great performances from Lorcan McVeigh, Alan Walsh, Adam Birch, Matt Whelan & debutant Robbie Burke. It just shows the fitness of this team though when, in injury time, left back David O’Leary went on a run from his own half and played a one two with Brian O’Callaghan in midfield. He continued his run and when the final ball was squared to him by Japhet, he finished past three defenders on the line to make the score 4-0 to Ballincollig.
This is the first time in two years that St. Brendan’s Park have been beaten by more than one goal. A great achievement. Once again, thanks to Ballincollig Rugby Club for the great hospitality shown to both teams after the game.
