Well it’s that time of year again and the Academy is once again participating in the Cork Schoolboys League’s Non Competitive Small Sided Games (SSG).
The Groups and Fixtures can be found on the Small Sided Games section of the CSL website, but please note that these can be subject to change should both clubs agree to reschedule a particular fixture.
As players are selected for each match they will be notified by their coaches. For a list of relevant coaches please see the Academy’s Contacts page.
A complete set of the SGG rules can be found on the Small Sided Games section of the CSL website, but here are some of the main points:
Cork Schoolboys League
Small Sided Games Rules for Season 2011/12
Age Groups
U7, U8 & U9 will be 7-a-side non competitive leagues.
U10 will be 9-a-side non competitive leagues.
Panel Sizes
7-a-side – 10 players (max)
9-a-side – 13 players (max)
Managers must not have more than the above numbers per panel for any one game.
Playing Season
Games will commence on the weekend of Mar 31/Apr 1 and will continue until the end of May. (This will mean some midweek evening games).
Academy
U8s CSL Small Sided Games
Monday 9th May 2011
Avondale v Ballincollig
The Ballincollig Under 8s were away again, this time it was a Monday evening fixture against Avondale Tigers. There was early pressure from Avondale as Ballincollig defended a couple of corners, but Sean Callanan and Gabriel Czubak were rock solid in defence along with keeper Justin Eguaibor. Avondale were the first to shoot at goal but luckily it hit the post. Paraic O’Keeffe Jamie Slavin and Luke O’Sullivan were gradually getting into the game from midfield. Jamie had Ballincollig’s first shot at goal, but the keeper saved it. Soon attempts came from Paraic, Luke and striker Patrick Kelly. Justin then had to make a number of good saves. Luke was beginning to have more of an influence on the game showing some nice skills. Paraic later put Patrick through but his shot was saved by the keeper and then Luke had another shot just go wide. All square at the break.
The second period was far more lopsided, and I don’t just mean the pitch! Ballincollig got off to a flyer with Paraic scoring a cracking goal. Alex Hill and Darragh Moriarty were the new defensive duo and they were outstanding. Scott Kelly was up front and had an early shot on target saved. Then Darragh set up Paraic and his shot on goal was touched by Scott, past the onrushing keeper, but a defender got the last touch, for an own goal. Ballincollig’s next goal however was a great team effort with Darragh, Paraic, Gabriel, Sean and Alex all involved in the build up, with Scott applying a nice finish to a great passing move. Justin was called on to make a rare save as most of the action was at the other end. Alex and Darragh were the main reasons for this as they were snuffing out most of the Avondale attacks. Scott had a great shot saved by the keeper after Paraic had missed an attempted overhead bicycle kick. Ballincollig then followed this up with Paraic putting the ball into the net, but no goal. Unfortunately he put it straight in from the corner, amazing shot, but as no one touched it the goal couldn’t be given. Sorry Paraic no scores from direct set pieces. Sean and Gabriel soon combined well in midfield to get the ball to Scott who forced his way through the defence and applied a quality finish. Avondale had a rare attack with a corner but Alex cleared it away.
The final period saw Scott and Jamie take over in defence, Luke was back on the wing and Patrick was back up front. Avondale took advantage of the new defensive partnership with an early goal, but it was their last, as Justin and the defence shut up shop. Alex, Luke and Darragh were now controlling midfield and Alex was unlucky to see a first time volley just go over the bar. This was shortly followed up by a couple of good efforts by Luke but the keeper was equal to them. Patrick was coming more into the game with support from midfield. Darragh had a shot blocked by the keeper. Soon after some great defending by Jamie, Scott set up Luke who’s cross came off the crossbar, Alex kept it in, pulled it back to Jamie who came storming through midfield to see a cracking shot just dip over the bar. Patrick finally got his reward when he scored after a nice passing move all the way from defence. Avondale then snuck on an extra defender, although he did have four legs, a shaggy coat and barked; nonetheless he was successful in stopping Patrick from taking a quick kick-in.
This was another highly entertaining game, and a big thank you to all the lads and parents for making the trip.
Academy
U8s CSL Small Sided Games
Sunday 1st May 2011
Castleview v Ballincollig
The Ballincollig Under 8s were just past the halfway point in their season as they travelled away to Castleview AFC on a grey and gloomy evening. The lads withstood some early pressure with keeper Jordan Murphy making a great save tipping the ball over the bar, and Bryan Smith and Ryan Crowley also defending well. Ballincollig then had a couple of half chances with wingers Robbie Walsh and Jamie Slavin just shooting wide. Castleview then had a corner cleared by Robbie with a good clearing header. From a Ballincollig attack they won a line ball which Robbie crossed into the box and Scott Kelly had his header just hit the upright and go wide. Shortly after another chance fell to Scott as he took a first time volley on the ball as it dropped over his shoulder, but he blasted it a fraction too high. Straight from the kick-out Robbie received the ball on the right wing and he unleashed a fierce shot into the bottom left hand corner, smashing goal! Soon after that Scott had a shot on goal but it was Paraic who got the final touch to steer it past the keeper. Castleview were quick to respond with two goals either side of a shot by Paraic, which hit the post. All level at the break.
Ballincollig started the second period well with Robbie forcing the Castleview keeper into a good diving save. Paraic and Cormac Dineen were now dominant in defence, with good support from Ryan, Sean O’Donoghue and Gabriel Czubak in midfield. Castleview then exerted some good pressure but Ballincollig defended well. Then from a Ballincollig attack Robbie won a corner, and from this Gabriel forced the keeper into a good save. Again Castleview attacked for a period, but Paraic eventually broke forward and passed the ball out to Gabriel on the wing and he in turn passed it to Sean in the centre and he ran through on goal and neatly slotted the ball into the net. It was a nice passing move to see Ballincollig take the lead once more.
The final period saw Castleview get off to a good start with an early equaliser. This was followed by another chance as the ball zipped across the face of the goal, but Jordan just got a toe to the ball. Bryan was playing great up and down the left wing and Jamie linked up well with him to win a corner. Scott took this and it was a lovely ball into the box where Jamie got the last touch to poke it home. Jordan was soon called on again to make a great save from a Castleview corner. The game now switched from end to end as the two teams slugged it out with Sean and Cormac outstanding in defence. Jamie even had his breath taken away, unfortunately though it was due to a ball into the chest rather than by the quality of the play. Gabriel played Bryan through, out on the left wing, where he pulled the ball back for Jamie who unleashed a thunderous right foot shot, but he just pulled it left and wide. From the kick-out Bryan volleyed a sweet right foot shot into the net to extend the Ballincollig lead. Finally Cormac made a great defensive tackle from Castleview’s last attack.
It was a hard game and Ballincollig had to tough this one out, but all the lads put in the effort required. Well done to all who played.
Academy
U8s CSL Small Sided Games
Sunday 17th April 2011
Midleton v Ballincollig
Midleton started the better and Ballincollig had to show some stout defending from Sean Callanan and Jamie Slavin in defence, with support from midfield. The Midleton pressure finally paid off as they scored a deserved goal. Keeper Darragh Moriarty was called on again and again as Ballincollig were struggling to get out of their own half. It was looking ominous, but the lads keep at it. Finally they broke away on a great counterattack. Robbie Walsh the lone striker received the ball in midfield and weaved his way towards goal where his finish was as cool as his run. The midfield trio of Adam Summers, Cormac Dineen and Bryan Smith started to get more into the game and Ballincollig had a couple of half chances. Then Bryan scored a bizarre goal when he stuck the ball in the net after everyone else stopped play. They all expected the Ref to give a penalty for a clear handball, but he didn’t. A perfect example of always play the whistle. Midleton weren’t to be outdone and quickly replied. Cormac then played a nice through ball to Adam who showed some good footwork, but he just missed. Then Ballincollig repeated their first goal with Bryan clearing to Robbie in midfield and again he dribbled his way through the defence, took his shot, and scored.
The second period started with Midleton forcing Darragh into a couple of saves. Cormac and Scott Kelly were rock solid in defence. Striker Mark Oldham had an early shot saved. Sean was tenacious in midfield with support from Ryan Crowley and Adam on the wings. Ballincollig won a free kick when a Midleton defender tried to swap shorts with Mark, thankfully he was unsuccessful! Sean, Adam and Ryan showed us a nice passing move but the final shot just slipped wide. Darragh and Cormac were then called on to make goal line clearances from a Midleton corner. Ballincollig scored again from what is becoming the signature piece of this side, another counterattack, this time starting with an intercept by Darragh passing to Mark on the wing, he hurdled a challenge and sent in a cross to Adam whose shot was saved, but Mark followed up and scored the rebound. This was soon followed by a great ball out of defence by Scott, then from Sean to Mark who buried it for his second.
The last period was more of the same with Midleton attacking and hitting the post. Ryan and Mark were now in defence with Jamie, Scott and Robbie helping from midfield. Ballincollig again counterattacked with Mark clearing up to Bryan who scored, but Midleton replied quickly from a corner with the attacker dropping to his knees on the near post to head in, nicely done. Ballincollig then pinned Midleton back with Scott starting to take over in midfield. Robbie, Jamie and Scott combined to set up Bryan out on the left wing where he unleashed an incredible shot, goal! “It’s like watching Brazil” was the comment from one of the supporters. Indeed it was a classy goal. It was all Ballincollig now as Scott, Robbie and Bryan all had shots at goal that narrowly missed or were saved. Midleton had the last say as they got another before the final whistle. A quality performance all round, and a big thanks to all who travelled.
Academy
U8s CSL Small Sided Games
Sunday 10th April 2011
Ballincollig v Avondale
The Ballincollig Under 8s were in action again in the Regional Park. The lads got of to a good start with an early double attempt at goal from Patrick Kelly but it went left and wide. Little did we know that this was a sign of things to come. Ryan Crowley and Jack Desmond were dominant in defence; Sean O’Donoghue and Dillon Ring were calm and measured on the wings with Paraic O’Keeffe solid in midfield. Keeper Scott Kelly was called into action early on making a great save, blocking a shot with his foot. Ballincollig broke out of defence, Sean played a through ball to Patrick who steadied himself and made an unbelievable long range chip over the Avondale keeper and in off the underside of the crossbar. Sean later had a shot just wide after some good work by Dillon on the wing. Jack and Ryan were clearing up at the back which allowed a counterattack. Paraic weaved his way through the opposition; he slipped the ball to Patrick, who unleashed a screamer into the back of the net. Then without time to celebrate Paraic won the ball from the Avondale tip off, burst through their defence, the keeper stopped his first attempt but he stuck away the rebound. Scott then made another great save to keep a clean sheet going into the break.
The second period was all hands to the pump as Avondale searched for a goal, but Bryan Smith alongside Ryan, in defence were solid. Cillian Kierse now up front had a chance, but the Avondale defender intercepted him just before he could shoot. Later Dillon Ring was unlucky not to score after a nice one-two between himself and Dylan Lane. Avondale then broke down the left wing but luckily their striker missed. Avondale pressed and from a corner they finally scored a deserved goal. Twice Scott made his long kick outs count as Paraic picked them up in midfield and both times it was Cillian with the chance, first the defender made a great tackle and the second time it was just wide. Paraic then had a chance, but got too close to the keeper after a mazy dribble.
Avondale again started stronger in the final period, with Scott and Jack in defence, clearing their lines, with the help of Sean, Dylan and Cillian from midfield. Patrick was back again tormenting the defence with a mazy run beating four players, but his shot was just wide. Cillian made a great tackle after tracking all the way back. Then Ballincollig broke forward with Sean passing to Patrick who held off a defender whilst striking the ball with the outside of his right foot, curling it past the keeper. A hat-trick worthy of a Champions League final! Bryan meanwhile was called into action to make save after save, but eventually Avondale poured through the defence and scored. It was at this point the Referee noticed the numerical discrepancy between the sides, ahem! To balance things out Paraic was recalled to midfield and Ballincollig went from strength to strength. Cillian and Paraic came close to scoring, Scott made a couple of vital defensive clearances, Paraic bagged a second, and Patrick slotted home a fourth whilst trying to set up Cillian.
At the final whistle it was joy all round as the players had earned a worthy victory. It was a very entertaining game with some quality goals and passing. Congratulations to all involved.
Academy
U8s CSL Small Sided Games
Sunday 3rd April 2011
Ballincollig v Castleview
The Ballincollig Under 8s played their first game of the new season last Sunday in the Regional Park. It was a great spectacle as it turned out to be an eleven goal thriller. The first period was an even contest with Ballincollig defending well and attacking at will. It was just after one such attack though that Ballincollig got caught out by a counterattack and Castleview took the lead. Ballincollig replied in style with a lovely passing move involving Scott Kelly and Robbie Walsh with striker Bryan Smith applying the finish. Castleview then regained the lead with an attack down the left wing. Ballincollig nearly equalised with a move including Darragh Moriarty but Robbie’s shot was saved. Then after a Castleview attack it was Ballincollig’s turn to counterattack, with a quick ball out of defence by Jordan Murphy to Scott in midfield who broke forward and played a perfect pass in to Bryan allowing him to score with a first time volley. Castleview ended the period the stronger but there was great defending by Alex Hill, Jordan and keeper Mark Oldham.
For the second period Ballincollig started the stronger, with Robbie seeing an effort loop over the bar, but they soon took the lead with Adam Summers passing to Bryan and Robbie this time applying the finish. It was all Ballincollig now and Adam Summers fresh on the pitch unleashed a thunderous strike from outside the area, too hot for the Castleview keeper to handle, which extended Ballincollig’s lead. Darragh came back on to replace Bryan who took a heavy knock to the ribs. Castleview then upped their game and Jordan and Alex were called on time after time to make the all important interceptions. This was definitely Alex’s finest defensive performance in the green and white of Ballincollig, I hear Sir Alex Ferguson is short a quality defender at the moment. Castleview were really pushing for a score now and Mark had to make a spectacular diving save and pushed the ball around the post. Despite this Castleview got their reward just before the whistle.
For the last period Darragh and Scott took over in defence, Mark was moved out into midfield, alongside Adam and Jamie Slavin. Up front Jordan had an early effort saved. Castleview then scored a quick couple without reply. The Ballincollig midfield trio worked tirelessly all over the pitch. After a Ballincollig attack the Castleview keeper’s kick out was too short and Mark picked it up dribbled forward and slotted home a great left foot shot to level the scores again. Castleview applied some more pressure and soon Ballincollig conceded a goal after a mix-up in the defence. Brian was called into action on a couple of occasions and made a great save by diving on the ball with two attackers bearing down on him. At the final whistle all the players were absolutely shattered as they had given it their all. It truly was a thrilling game to watch with plenty of end to end action and quality play throughout. Well done lads.
Academy
U8s CSL Non Competitive League
Douglas Hall v Ballincollig
It was a blustery and showery evening when the U8’s travelled over to Douglas Hall to fulfil their Cork Schoolboys fixture last Saturday, May 1st.
Ryan Crowley, who was goalie for the match, was put under a barrage of shots for the first few minutes whilst Ballincollig came up to match speed with some shots going in. Stephen Wills and Oisin McCormac steadied up the defence with Matt Bourke providing the striking force up front.
In the second section of the match Jonathon McLean, playing on the left wing, provided the breakthrough for Ballincollig scoring a nice goal ably helped out by Eoin O’Callaghan and Aaron Meade-O’Hanlon also playing in the midfield. Oisin McCormac provided the firepower up front. Ryan Crowley made some very important saves during this period. These were made a bit easier by the determined defence put up by Ronan Hennessy and Sean O’Hanlon-Lane.
The rain jackets were then discarded and Ballincollig showed they meant business. In the third section of the match Stephen Wills, Paul Cooney and Eoin O’Callaghan reigned supreme in midfield with first Stephen scoring in the bottom left hand corner, then Eoin’s shot ricocheting off Paul when he was caught unaware in front of goal and finally Paul scoring in the bottom right hand corner a few minutes later to bring the match level. Jonathon McLean and Sean O’Hanlon-Lane played superbly keeping at bay any efforts by Douglas Hall to counter attack. The final few minutes were tense as Ballincollig peppered the Douglas Hall goal with a number of shots just going wide.
The final score was a draw which was probably fair to both sides.
Academy
U8s CSL Non Competitive League
Ballincollig v Carrigaline
Last weekend, April 24th-25th, our eager under 8s went down to a very wet Regional Park. It was a far cry from the last couple of weekends when we were drenched with sunshine, however we got drenched with the wet stuff this weekend. But this didn’t dampen our spirits, and every one of the spectators thoroughly enjoyed the superb display. Both teams were very evenly matched, but only for the brilliance of Darragh Dorgan in goals who pulled off some great saves, Carrigaline found it very difficult to get the ball past us.
Stephen Wills was our box-to-box player on the day and ran his heart out for his team. Jonathon McLean, Jake Thomas and Isaac again showed their true mettle with some sterling defending and last ditch tackling. James McArdle and Ciara Healy put in a great days work closing down Carrigaline at every opportunity, and Ciara’s pressure paid off when she slotted her first goal for her team.
Paul Cooney and Eoin O Callaghan dominated the midfield area and Eoin pitched in, with two goals of his own. Paul Cooney hit the upright on no less than 3 occasions, but the ball wouldn’t cross the line for him.
Ryan Crowley was superb at the back, but when we switched him to striker, he became our ‘Hat-trick Hero’ banging in 3 goals in quick succession.
It was very hard to pick the man of the match but if it has to go to someone, we must give it to Stephen Wills. He never gave up, he tackled, tracked back and covered the most ground. Well done Stephen.
Academy
U8s CSL Non Competitive League
Ballincollig v Bandon
Our league kicked off with a big bang on the weekend of the 10th-11th down in the Regional Park. It was a brilliant sunny day, perfect for a match, and there was a huge turnout for the 3pm kick-off.
Bandon had the best of the play for the first period and the Ballincollig defensive duo of Jake Thomas and Eoin O’Callaghan had to dig deep to keep their team in the game.
The midfield dynamos of Ryan Forde, Christopher Twomey-Fahy and Ronan Hennessy, got stuck in and produced some fantastic one twos all across the midfield. Oisin McCormac came close on several occasions, but a great solo goal from Ryan Forde got us back into the game.
In the next period Jonathon McClean and Christopher got a firm grip on the Bandon attackers and cut out every single attack, they cleaned up completely at the back, but when the goalkeeper was called upon, up stepped James McArdle and made super saves. James was very brave in goal and Bandon found it very hard to get the ball past him. Dylan O’Flynn was introduced on the left wing, along with Evan Cooke, and they made a great impression on the game with their skillfull play and superb tackling.
In the last period, Ballincollig’s dominance started to show, with a trio of super goals that you wouldn’t see in the Champions League. Ryan Forde bombed one in, and nearly broke the net. Eoin O’Callaghan took a ball off the line and set up an attack for Jake Thomas to slot home his first goal of the season. And to finish it off, Ronan Hennessy finished off a fantastic move to score his first goal of the season. Well done lads.
