12th June 2021

Under-13 League at Whitegate

Corkbeg – 1

Carrigtwohill United – 2

Scorers: Evan O’Regan O’Connor (1), Cillian Rooney (1)

Carrigtwohill United Under-13’s travelled to Whitegate Saturday morning to take on Corkbeg in an East Cork derby. If their cup display against Ballincollig the previous Monday evening was all about slick passing and brilliant team goals then this latest league encounter against their local rivals was all about grit, determination, and the will to win when things got tough.

The first half was a tense tight affair with the home side denying Carrigtwohill the time and space to impose their trademark passing game. Both teams had a few half chances, Adam Lee in goal for Carrig was brave on a number of occasions to thwart any advances from Corkbeg and it was scoreless at the break.

Plenty of fluids in the soaring heat and a few words of encouragement saw the visitors take the field for the second half like a different team. They strung a few passes together and began to impose themselves on the opposition. Two minutes in Cillian Rooney (now with a spring in his step) collected the ball just inside the Corkbeg half and looped a perfect pass into the path of Evan running deep from midfield. The number 10 made no mistake and coolly slotted the ball home for the opening goal.

A couple of minutes later Carrigtwohill doubled their lead following some good play out of defence by Niall Barry found Kyle Kidney free on the right wing and Kyle whipped in a telling cross for Rooney to finish well at the near post, continuing his record of scoring in each of the last 6 competitive games.

Five minutes later the game should have been put beyond Corkbeg but for Rian being deemed offside after following up an effort from Tom Walsh. With Carrigtwohill seemingly cruising the home side were given a lifeline when a misplaced pass found their burly striker and he finished passed Adam in goal to make it 2-1.

Carrigtwohill would have to endure a nervy 15 minutes as the game swung back Corkbeg’s way but as the saying goes “when the going gets tough, the tough get going” and the Carrigtwohill midfield and defence put in a great shift to see the game out.

Man of the match goes to Cathal Seymour who was a powerhouse at the back and is forming a nice partnership with Jarlath Cullimore in central defence. Well done to all, let’s keep it going lads.

Player of the Match: Cathal Seymour