AUL 1B 2008/09 Reports

Thursday 21st August, St. John Bosco's, AUL 1B, Slatty Park.

The game started brightly and Carrig took control early on. Within 2 mins the first chance of the game fell to Stephen Kidney, sent through by Leonard Healy, but the striker's shot across the goal went narrowly wide. Cian McSweeney had a good chance 10 mins later, but failed to get enough on Stephen Kidney's cross to direct it on goal. The home side continued to dominate the first half with Bosco's threat limit to set pieces. Stephen Kidney had another chance before the break, but again the shot narrowly missed the far post

Bosco's became more dangerous in the second half as Carrig pushed on and eventually they got their break. A corner from the right was headed goalwards from close range, Carrig keeper Brain Kidney did well to bat the ball back out but only for it to land on the head of a Bosco's player, who scored from 2 yards. With over 20 mins to go Carrig changed formation from 4-4-2 to 3-4-3, Kerry O'Mahony replacing Cormac Carroll. There were plenty chances created by both side with both hitting the crossbar from corners, but Carrig had to wait until the last 2 mins for their deserved equaliser. A ball from the right wing caused confusion in the defence and the Bosco's defender headed the ball straight into the path of Davy Barry. From 12 yards out Barry struck it well across the keeper for Carrig's opening goal of the season. Carrig pushed for the winner in the last few minutes, but referee Sean Barry blew up to end the game level 1-1.

Team - Brian Kidney, Cormac Carroll, Sean Madden(c), Alan Walsh, Derrick Nolan, Ian O'Donghue, Shane Kennedy, Leonard Healy, Davy Barry, Stephen Kidney and Cian McSweeney. 
Subs - Conor Healy, Niall Kidney (for Ian O'Donghue 89m), Paul Nolan, Kerry O'Mahony (for Cormac Carroll 70m), Darren Sylvester, Liam Barry and Nielus Murphy.

Sunday 31st August, Ballintotis, AUL 1B, Slatty Park.

After the last result, Carrig need a win to get their season going and started very strongly. Cian McSweeney controlled well in the box but with only the keeper to beat from close range, his shot went narrowly wide of the far post. The first half saw plenty of action, particularly in the Ballintotis box. Carrig had some great chances to score with their Captain Sean Madden having 3 good opportunities from corners alone. Stephen Kidney and Ian O''Donghue were also causing the visitors problems down both wings. Ballintotis broke away a few times and Carrig had keeper Brian Kidney to thank for making some good saves to keep the game level. The break through eventually came, 2 minutes before the break. McSweeney controlling the ball 12 yards out and firing in off the far post with his left foot.

The second half was dominated by Carrig as their fitness and squad size told. Leonard Healy scored the goal of the game just after the break to put Carrig 2 up. Cian McSweeney ran at the Ballintotis defence and then laid the ball back to Davy Barry, who fed Healy on the edge of the box. Healy dragged the ball on to his favourite left foot and hammered it into the roof of the net from the edge of the box. From then on Carrig used their squad, making 3 changes and continued to apply the pressure on Ballintotis. Sean Madden got his goal with 15mins left, winning the ball at the far post and heading in from 6 yards out. Cian McSweeney rounded off a great display with his second goal on 88mins, to leave Carrig 4-0 winners.

Team - Brian Kidney, Conor Healy, Cormac Carroll, Sean Madden(c), Derrick Nolan, Darren Sylvester, Leonard Healy, Davy Barry, Stephen Kidney, Ian O'Donghue and Cian McSweeney. 
Subs - Niall Kidney (for Derrick Nolan 75m), Paul Nolan, Shane Kennedy (for Cormac Carroll 65m), Liam Barry (for Darren Sylvester 60m) and Nielus Murphy.

Saturday 7th February, Killumney United, St. Michael's Cup 2nd Round, Slatty Park.

This game was well contested right from the start, with both teams playing good football. Carrig just about shaded the opening half with their best chance falling to Noel Furlong, who pounced on a defence slip but his shot went straight at the visiting keeper. Killumney had a few half chance and came close when they clip the bar from a free kick late in the half. Carrig had to re-organise their defence just before half time when they were forced to replace leftback Derrick Nolan with Brendan Cronin.

The second half saw Carrig increase the pressure on their visitors. Chances came and went but the all attempts were just off target. Noel Furlong volleyed over from 12 yards out, Cian McSweeney shot over and Leonard Healy free kick was well saved. Killumney had a chance on 75mins but their striker tripped and mis-hit the ball wide. Just before the end of full time a Leonard Healy corner was met perfectly by Davy Barry on the edge of the box, but again his header was just over the bar.

Extra time began and soon Carrig got the break they deserved. A long Davy Barry ball from the wing held up in the air. The defence hesitated, but Noel Furlong didn't. He forced his way past and from 8 yards out poked the ball under the keeper. It was all Carrig from there and they soon finished the game. A cross field ball was played to Stephen Kidney, he allowed in bounce once and in one move turn and volleyed into the far corner, giving the keeper no chance. The biggest cheer was reserved for sub Rob O'Donghue when he added the 3rd late on after the ball fell to him on the edge of the box. He coolly struck it left footed over the keeper in the far corner. 3-0 to Carrig after extra time and a quarterfinal away to Leeds the reward.

Team - Cormac Carroll, Nielus Murphy, Sean Madden(c), Derrick Nolan, Derek Healy, Leonard Healy, Davy Barry, Noel Furlong, Stephen Kidney, Ian O'Donghue and Cian McSweeney. 
Subs - Brendan Cronin(for Derrick Nolan 42m), Rob O'Donghue (for Brendan Cronin 100m) and John Coleman.

Saturday 28th March, Park United B, St. Michael's Cup Semi-Final, Slatty Park.

The home team started well, after last week's penalty shot out defeat to Watergrasshill in the county cup, they weren't going to relinquish the St .Michael's cup they won last year. Carrig opened the scoring when Noel Furlong bicycle kicked the ball in from close range after it fell perfectly to him 8 yards out. Park were back in the game soon, from a corner. The ball fell to the a Park United striker at the back post and he poked it in from very close range to tie the match 1-1 at the break.

The second half continued to be as open as the first, with plenty of chances falling to each side. Cian McSweeney gave Carrig the lead again when he ran through and finished well. Another set piece gave Park their second. A free kick wasn't cleared and the Park striker volleyed in from 10 yards to tie the game again. Martin Jones, Carrig manager, began to use his bench with Darren Sylvester, Stephen Dinneen and Noel Gubbins all coming into the game at various stages during the last 20mins. Davy Barry was unlucky when he stole pass the defence and fired high over the keeper, but then saw his shot cannon off the post and away. It was sub Stephen Dinneen who became the hero when he broke down the left and fired across the keeper in the far top corner of the net, to make it 3-2.

Team - Adrian Kidney, Cormac Carroll, Sean Madden(c), Alan Walsh, Ian O'Donghue, Leonard Healy, Davy Barry, Noel Furlong, Stephen Kidney, Shane Kennedy and Cian McSweeney. 
Subs - Stephen Dinneen, Noel Gubbins, Sean Buckley, Brendan Cronin, Rob O'Donghue, Nielus Murphy, Darren Sylvester, Derrick Nolan, and John Coleman.

Saturday 4th April, Leeside, AUL 1B, Slatty Park.

The game was contested evenly and competitively right from the start. Both teams were aware that they must take all 3 points to keep Greenwood under pressure in the league. Carrig got the first goal when Cian McSweeney robbed a retreating defender at the edge of the 6-yard box. He drew the keeper and laid it back to Stephen Kidney. His shot was blocked on the line but fell to Stephen Dinneen to poke home from close range. Leeside got themselves back into the game on 31mins from a free kick. Adrian Kidney saved well, but the rebound was finished by a fast reacting Leeside striker. The teams went in 1-1 at the break, with all to play for.

The second half continued as the first finished. Both teams playing well and creating chances, but Carrig seem to slowly getting on top. Their pressure was rewarded when Cian McSweeney stole in between the defence, drew the keeper and perfectly lobbed the ball over him to give Carrig the lead again. Leeside responded and soon were back on terms. They broke down the right and crossed the ball, Carrig hesitated and Leeside were level. At 2-2 Carrig pushed on looking for the winner, Stephen Kidney blazing over their best chance from the edge of the box. The visitors then broke Carrig hearts when they took the lead. After an Adrian Kidney save, the ball hit the cross bar and fell kindly for an unmarked striker to nod home from the goal line. More Carrig pressure and chances couldn't produce an equaliser and Leeside left Slatty Park with the valuable 3 points.

Team - Adrian Kidney, Cormac Carroll, Sean Madden(c), Alan Walsh, Ian O'Donghue, Leonard Healy, Davy Barry, Stephen Dinneen, Stephen Kidney, Shane Kennedy and Cian McSweeney. 
Subs - Noel Furlong, Noel Gubbins, Sean Buckley, Brendan Cronin, Rob O'Donghue, Nielus Murphy, Derrick Nolan, and John Coleman.

Friday 10th April, Watergrasshill United, St. Michael's Cup Final, Turner's Cross.

Carrig lost the toss and had to begin the game playing into a very bright, low sun. This didn't hamper them though and they immediately took the game to their local rivals. On the wide Turner's cross pitch, Carrig's pace and movement cause plenty of problems for Watergrasshill. In the first 15 mins the Hill keeper made at least 3 good saves to keep Carrig out. Eventually the break came when the Watergrasshill defence headed a ball clear, high into midfield. Noel Furlong volleyed it perfectly into the path of Cian McSweeney, and when the keeper closed in, he as ever coolly slotted it home to open the scoring after 20 mins. More chances game and went, but Carrig went into the break 1-0 up and looked the much better team.

The second half produced more good football and plenty more chances. Watergrasshill began to get more control and attacked well on the break. As Carrig pushed for the second, the Hill got their equaliser from such a fast attack. When a Cian McSweeney cross was knocked down into midfield, Watergrasshill broke and very quickly had a 3 on 2 situation. They played the ball out left and when the shot came in from the edge of the box Shane Kennedy slide in to block. Unfortunately the ball hit Shane's leg, looped over keeper Adrian Kidney and hit the far post before going in. carrig responded well and took back the lead within 10 mins. Stephen Dinneen controlled the ball on the right end line before cutting back and playing a cross to the far post. In appeared to be going over everybody, until Noel Furlong arrived and volleyed into the bottom corner from close range to put Carrig 2-1 with only minutes remaining. From here Carrig controlled the game and never look like being denied their place in AUL history.

Team - Adrian Kidney, Cormac Carroll, Sean Madden(c), Shane Kennedy, Ian O'Donghue, Leonard Healy, Noel Furlong, Davy Barry, Stephen Dinneen, Stephen Kidney and Cian McSweeney. 
Subs - Darren Sylvester, Alan Walsh, Noel Gubbins, Sean Buckley, Brendan Cronin, Rob O'Donghue, Nielus Murphy, Derrick Nolan, Derek Healy and John Coleman.