League v Midleton A in Ballyadam Park on Saturday 28th April
Carrigtwohill United 3 Midleton A 2

Carrig closed their season win a third win in a row, against local rival Midleton A, on a windy day in Ballyadam.

 

Both teams needed the win to get up of the leagues bottom two places. Midleton made mistakes early on allowing Carrig into the lead. The visiting keeper left he goal to clear a ball way out on the right touchline. When he kick held in the wind, it fell to Liam Gosnell in midfield. He controlled it and confidently scored into the empty net from 30 yards out. Within minutes from a Gosnell corner, the Midleton defence played the ball off their own near post. In the confusion it fell to Conor Keegan. Carrig's top scorer made no mistake and poked it home from a couple of yards up to put the home team 2 up. After this the game settled down as both teams got use to the strong wind. Midleton A got back into the game just before halftime. A shot from distance caught Victor Mazur's elbow and the ref gave a penalty. Carrig keeper Gearoid Cody dived to his left an got hands on the ball, but couldn't stop it finding the corner of the net.

 

In the second half Carrig played against the wind and it meant the defence had to be very alert to the Midleton breaks. Jamie Long and Man of the Match Aaron Pender always seemed to have it covered. Midleton drew level with about 15 mins to go from a similar goal to Carrig's second. A corner from the left caused confusion in the six yard box. When it wasn't cleared after two attempts, Midleton scored from close in. Both teams tried hard for the winner, but it was Conor Keegan who snatched the points for Carrig. Conor won the ball about 30 yards out and turned his man. Under pressure and with the keeper closing he poked the ball home into the corner of the goal for his 16th goal of the season. In the last minutes of the game Midleton had chances, but keeper Gearoid Cody and the Carrig defence held them out.

 

Ballyseedy Man of the Match - Aaron Pender
Starting lineup: G Cody, A Pender, D McCann, J Long, C Harte, B Manning, V Mazur, M Doody, J Doyle (c), L Gosnell, C Keegan.
Subs: J Hyde, C Horgan, G O'Brien, D Grimes.

 

 

League v Churchvilla in Ballyduff on Monday 23rd April
Churchvilla 0 Carrigtwohill United 2

The first clean sheet of the season helped Carrig to hold off the Churchvilla challenge to secure a valuable 3 points.

 

Carrig started well, playing into the wind on the tough surface of long grass. Conor Keegan had a few good chances to score, but narrowly missed. The defence of Tom, Aarron and Jamie were very solid, keeping Churchvilla to long shots. One shot did clip the crossbar but other than that the defence along with keeper Gearoid Cody moped up the home side's attacks. Playing in such long grass it was always going to be a close tight game. Carrig got the break they needed, when some good close control by Cormac Horgan saw him dribble past the defence to the end line. He cut in towards the goal and fired it high into the roof of the net from close range. Carrig battled hard to hold on the lead until the break.

 

In the second half the home side threw everything at the visitors. Some more strong defending and some good midfield support held Churchvilla out. Once in possession Carrig were always a threat on the break. Conor Keegan had a few more good chances. James Doyle had the ball in the net, only for the ref to rule it out for offside. Cormac Horgan gave Carrig some breathing space, when again some good close control in the box allowed him to find space. He fired into the far corner from 12 yards to make it 0-2 to Carrig with 12 mins to go. Churchvilla applied more pressure in the closing stages, but good defending and some lucky breaks (which we haven't been getting this season) saw us complete the victory.

 

Ballyseedy Man of the Match - Jamie Long
Starting lineup: G Cody, A Pender, T O'Brien, J Long, C Harte, J Hyde, B Manning, V Mazur, M Doody, C Horgan, C Keegan (c).
Subs: J Doyle.

 

 

League v Blarney United A in O'Shea Park on Sunday 14th April
Blarney United A 1 Carrigtwohill United 5

The game away to Blarney was played on their all weather pitch, which seemed to suit Carrig and their quick football.

 

Man of the MAtch Conor Keegan got the visitors off the a great start in under 10 mins. Liam Gosnell chip the ball over the defence and conor eased the defender off the ball controlled and finished well. He soon paid back his strike partner, when he played Liam in behind the defence. Gosnell waited for the keeper to advanced and slipped the ball in at the near post to give Carrig a 2-0 lead. The home side had chances, but didn't take them. It seemed like they were struggling on with the playing surface and not Carrig. Both teams played well, but Carrig were deserving leaders at the break.

 

In the second half Carrig looked to maintain the pace of the game, but Blarney began to come into it more. Carrig gave them hope within the opening 10 mins when a high ball from the left caused Carrig keeper Gearoid Cody problems. He lost it in the sun and it bounced off his hands, over this head, into the net. It looked like our season was continuing with the bad luck, but Carrig soon recovered. Conor Keegan broke the off side trap and hammered home from the edge of the box to restore the 2 goal lead. Darragh McCann then scored his 3rd of the season when he volleyed home from inside the six yard box, after a corner wasn't cleared. The best goal came last, as Carrig punished the home team's every mistake. A throw down the right put Liam Gosnell in space on the end line. He turned and played it into the on rushing Keegan. Once the ball fell to Conor Keegan left foot, the was only one outcome. He hammered it into the far corner from the just inside the right corner of the penalty area, to complete his hat trick.

 

A great performance from all players. Carrig always in control except for the early part of the second half. This win lifts them off the bottom of the league table and with 2 games left they'll look to stay off it.

 

Ballyseedy Man of the Match - Conor Keegan
Starting lineup: G Cody, D McCann, T O'Brien, J Long, B O'Leary (c), D Grimes, J Hyde, B Manning, V Mazur, L Gosnell, C Keegan.
Subs: M Doody, J Doyle.

 

 

League v Avondale United A in Ballyadam Park on Saturday 31st March
Carrigtwohill United 4 Avondale United A 5

Carrig played well, scored 4 goals and still got nothing from another game that should have been won.

 

The home team started well with the midfield 3 of Tom O'Brien, Brendan Twomey and Billy Manning working well together. Most of Carrig's threat came down their right and this is were the first goal was made. The ball was worked well down the right side and when the cross beat the defence it fell to Ben O'Leary on the left side of the penalty area. He struck it well bringing a great save from the keeper, but Billy Manning struck home the rebound from 12 yards out. carrig continue to press and scored again after 20 mins. This time the attack cam down the left The ball was crossed along the edge of the penalty area where Tom O'Brien won the race with the advancing keeper and coolly lobbed him from 18 yards to give the home team a 2-0 lead. Avondale responded well and scored twice before half to level it. Both goals could be put down to a hesitant Carrig defence. Crosses that should have been cleared allowed the faster reacting strikers to score.

 

The second half brought the same level of good football and excitement as the first. Carrig took the lead again when Liam Gosnell got a foot to a great cross from the right and the ball flew into the far corner from the edge of the box. The visitors began to dominate then and scored another 2 goals to take the lead for the first time, with only 15 mins remaining. This time Carrig responded well and where level quickly. Conor Keegan was allowed to control the ball and once he turned on to his left foot just inside the box, there's always only one outcome. He hammered the ball into the net for his 11th of the season. (10 in the last 8 games). It looked as though the teams would share the points, but Avondale broke Carrig's hearts by poaching a goal at the death. Another cross from the right caused hesitancy in the defence and the striker poked it over the Carrig keeper from close range.

 

Ballyseedy Man of the Match - Brendan Twomey.
Starting lineup: G Cody, A Pender (c), D McCann, S Hoare, T O'Brien, B Twomey, B O'Leary, B Manning, C Harte, L Gosnell, C Keegan.
Subs: J Long, J Hyde, G O'Brien, D Grimes, S Mackey.

 

 

League v Corkbeg in Ballyadam Park on Saturday 17th March
Carrigtwohill United 1 Corkbeg 3

The poor results continued on St Patrick's day as Carrig were well beaten by Corkbeg.

 

The Visitors started very well and kept the Carrig defence very busy. They scored in the 8 min, when Carrig fell asleep from a throw in. The ball was thrown behind the defence and Corkbeg broke into the box. Carrig keeper Gearoid Cody got hands to the shot but it loop up and over him into the far corner. Corkbeg continue to pressure Carrig, but just as the home team seemed to be settling down they scored again. Another break down their left and a good shot to the net. They added a third before 30 mins had passed. This time from the right, the Corkbeg player got to the end line and cross it back for his team mate to score from close range. Carrig gave themselves a lifeline when Conor Keegan scored from the penalty spot. Liam Gosnell played the ball to Billy Manning in the box and he was tripped by the defender.

 

In the second half Carrig brought on Gary O'Brien, John Hyde and Brendan Twomey and went to a 3-5-2 formation to try and get back into the game. This change helped but as Carrig chased the game Corkbeg always looked dangerous. They broke regularly and only for dome bad finishing and good goal keeping they would have scored more. Carrig's best chance of the half came when Conor Keegan fed a ball through for Liam Gosnell. Just as Liam was about to shoot from 12 yards, the defender slid in and got a foot on the ball to deflect it for a corner. Again as with most game this year, Carrig couldn't create enough clear cut chances to trouble the visiting defence.

 

Ballyseedy Man of the Match - Aaron Pender.
Starting lineup: G Cody, J Long (c), A Pender, D McCann, T O'Brien, B O'Leary, V Mazur, B Manning, M Doody, L Gosnell, C Keegan.
Subs: J Doyle, J Hyde, G O'Brien, B Twomey, K Coady

 

 

League v Leeds in Leeds Park on Saturday 3rd March
Leeds 3 Carrigtwohill United 2

A tough match away to Leeds saw Carrig lose a close evenly contested game.

 

The first half produced some good football from both teams. The midfield was very congested as Leeds and Carrig tried to play their way through the middle. Best chances fell to the home side. Carrig's keeper Gearoid Cody saved well on several occasions to keep the scoreline nil all at half time.

 

Early in the second half Leeds broke through down the right, rounded the defence and shot into the far corner to take the lead. Carrig continued to play well, but couldn't create any real clear chances. After 50mins Conor Keegan took a half chance to level the game. The ball fell to him on the edge of the box. He volleyed it in for his 8th goal of the season. Leeds took the lead back when their central midfielder ran through a static Carrig defence and shot high into the net. They added their 3rd soon after. A good run down the right and a great cross into the 6-yard box was meet at close range perfectly be the Leeds striker, giving Carrig's defence little chance. Carrig fought back and Conor Keegan scored again. He shot from the 18 yards and the Leeds keeper spilled it into the net to make it 3-2 with minutes to go. There was to be no last minute equaliser today, Leeds defence keep Carrig at bay until the final whistle.

 

Ballyseedy Man of the Match - Gearoid Cody.
Starting lineup: G Cody, J Long, T O'Brien, A Pender, B Manning, M Doody, D McCann, J Hyde (c), G O'Brien, L Gosnell, C Keegan.
Subs: J Doyle, C Harte, S Hoare, B O'Leary, V Mazur.

 

 

 

League v Macroom in Ballyadam Park on Saturday 4th February
Carrigtwohill United 1 Macroom 2

A much improved team performance from the lads, but they eventually just beaten by a last minute goal.

 

The visit of Macroom always provides a great match and this didn't disappoint. Both teams played some great football and how it remained scoreless at half time is a mystery. A combination of luck, good goal keeping and missed chances kept the game level. Carrig just about shaded the possession in the first half and were happy at half time with the level of performance put in by all 11 players. Although Conor Keegan up front on his own was been well marshaled, the problems he caused generated chances to the midfielders. Liam Gosnell had a goal disallowed for offside after he tapped in a Darragh McCann header from a corner.

 

The second half continued were the first left off both teams attacking and defending well. The breakthrough eventually came to the visitors. After a couple of blocked crosses and shots the ball was passed back to a Macroom midfielder on the edge of the dee. He controlled well and curled a great shot into the far corner giving the Carrig keeper Gearoid Cody little chance. As the time ticked by it looked like the visitors would hang on, but Carrig drew level just on full time. A ball up to Conor Keegan, allowed him to control, turn his man and shoot from 20 yards. The keeper could only throw a leg at it, but couldn't stop it. It looked like Carrig rescued a deserved point but unfortunately Macroom got a break in the box after about 5 minutes injury time. A shot on goal was brilliantly saved by Gearoid Cody and unluckily for him it landed near a Macroom player 8 yards out, who controlled and fired low in the near corner to give them the win.

 

Although the game against league leaders Macroom was lost, the team performance was very impressive. If Carrig maintain this level of team work and play in the remaining 6 games they should have no relegation worries at the end of the season.

 

Ballyseedy Man of the Match - Aaron Pender.
Starting lineup: G Cody (c), J Long, D McCann, A Pender, B Manning, S Hoare, B O'Leary, J Hyde, L Gosnell, C Harte, C Keegan.
Subs: G O'Brien, J Doyle, S Mackey, M Doody, K Coady.

 

 

Cup v Kanturk in Gurteenard on Sunday 21st January
Kanturk 5 Carrigtwohill United 1

Carrig bowed out of the local cup in the first round after a very poor performance away to Division 3 side Kanturk.

 

The home side started better and were in control from the start. Carrig players all looked tired and lifeless as Kanturk dominated. The first goal came after 15 mins. A cross from the right got all the way to the unmarked left winger, who controlled the ball and shot pass the stranded Carrig keeper Gearoid Cody, into the far corner. Kanturk add a second before long, with a shot from the edge of the box. Carrig eventually began to play some football, and regularly broke down the rightside to cause Kanturk problems. Just before half time Morgan Doody gave the visitors some hope, when he slid home a goal from close range after Liam Gosnell caused confusion in the box.

 

The second half saw a good start from Carrig, with a change to a back 3 and an extra man in mid field. They could not take their chances and Kanturk always were a threat. The home side eventually made in 3, then 4 and 5 in the closing minutes as Carrig tried to chase the cup tie. Overall a very disappointing display, a return to the form that saw them lose 5 league games in a row earlier in the season. Kanturk were deserving winners and only for a Man of the Match performance from keeper Gearoid Cody the humiliation could have been worse.

 

Ballyseedy Man of the Match - Gearoid Cody.
Starting lineup: G Cody, D McCann, A Pender, B Manning, S Hoare, V Mazur, B O'Leary, C Keegan (c), J Hyde, L Gosnell, M Doody.
Subs: D Grimes, G O'Brien, J Long, C Harte, K Coady.

 

 

League v Midleton A in Knockgriffin on Sunday 11th December
Midleton A 1 Carrigtwohill United 4

A great team performance gave Carrig back to back league wins lifting them off the bottom of the league table.

 

The trip to Midleton produced a great game with both teams playing very well. Carrig just shaded the possession in the first half, but Midleton produced the best chances. Both teams had goalkeepers who where in form and the surprisingly the game remained scoreless at the break. When either team beat the goalkeepers, the ball always somehow rolled wide.

 

The second half started as the first finished, we both teams attacking well and defending strongly. Carrig slowly began to dominate and had a constant threat from their front two of Liam Gosnell and Conor Keegan. As the game neared the end Carrig pushed hard to get the win over their local rivals. They changed to a 3-5-2 formation and it paid off. Not surprisingly the breakthrough came from Ballyseedy Man of the Match Liam Gosnell. He won the ball on the left, beat 3 men and as the keeper tried to smother the ball at his feet, he clipped it around him to give the visitors the lead with about 10 mins to go. Midleton responded and were level within 2 mins. They broke down the left and when the cross came in, it wasn't defend well and ended up going in off the far post. Within minutes Carrig broke Midleton hearts when they took the lead back. Sean Sullivan put a high ball into the box and when the Midleton keeper spilled it in the sun, Conor Keegan was there to poke home from close range. The loudest cheer of the day came soon after, when Liam Gosnell crossed from the left and substitute James Doyle got on the end of it to score his first goal for Carrig. Conor Keegan completed the victory scoring directly from a 30 yard free kick on the final whistle.

 

Ballyseedy Man of the Match - Liam Gosnell.
Starting lineup: G Cody, D McCann, C O'Mahony, T O'Brien, B Manning, B Twomey, S Hoare, G O'Brien, C Harte, L Gosnell, C Keegan (c).
Subs: M Doody, J Doyle, J Long, S O'Sullivan, K Coady.

 

 

 

League v Blarney United A in Ballyadam Park on Saturday 26th November
Carrigtwohill United 3 Blarney United A 2

The first league win of the season came in a hard fought match against Blarney, on a very windy day.

 

Carrig started the first half with the wind but it was Blarney who struck first. A through ball down the their left, held up long enough for the striker to catch it and he finished well to give the visitors a lead after only 5 mins. The new back four of Aarron, Sean, Darragh and Billy adjusted well and Carrig began to apply the pressure. Conor Keegan had a great first half and was always a threat to Blarney. He got his first from a corner. Liam Gosnell put in good cross and Conor glanced a header into the far post from 8 yards out. He added to it 10mins before the break. He controlled a high ball over his head, beat his man and shot past the keeper to give us a 2-1 lead at half time.

 

With the strong wind in mind, Carrig pulled Conor Keegan and Cormac Horgan back into centre midfield, leaving the pacy Liam Gosnell up front on his own to chase the through balls. The tactic worked well, with the Carrig midfield defending strongly and breaking quickly. Blarney playing with the wind had chances and took one after a goal mouth scramble. A free kick was blocked down by the wall, but spilled into the penalty box. After a couple of blocked shots, Blarney eventually poked the ball into the net to level the game. Carrig continued to fight for everything and got reward soon after. A Conor Keegan free from just into the Blarney half set Cormac Horgan through. He beat the keeper to the ball and lifted over him to restore Carrig's lead. With time running out Carrig continued to play well. Gary O'Brien and Conor Harte coming off the bench to add fresh legs. As Blarney pressured our defence looking for the equaliser, Carrig had some great counter attacks down the right side that should have been finished, but after our recent run everyone was delighted to hear the final whistle and celebrate a 3-2 victory.

 

Ballyseedy Man of the Match - Conor Keegan.
Starting lineup: G Cody, A Pender, D McCann, S Hoare (c), B Manning, J Hyde, B O'Leary, V Mazur, L Gosnell, C Keegan, C Horgan.
Subs: D Grimes, J Doyle, G O'Brien, C Harte, R O'Shea.

 

 

League v Avondale United A in Bessboro on Saturday 12th November
Avondale United A 2 Carrigtwohill United 0

Another league defeat for Carrig, a better performance, but still not good enough to get that first league win of the season.

 

On a heavy pitch, with long grass the game was a battle. Midfield was tight throughout with both teams trying to play through the centre. Carrig had chances but Avondale kept catching the Carrig forwards offside. The home team were quick on the break down their right and had the ball in the net once, but the ref call it back for an offside. It wasn't long after they broke again, this time onside. Their winger controlled it and shot past new keeper Gearoid Cody to give Avondale the lead.

 

At the half time break Carrig made 3 changes to the team and were determined to get back into it. They played well, but could put they final passes together in the last 3rd of the pitch to break down the Avondale defence. Against the run of play, the home team scored again. Carrig went asleep from a throw and allowed an Avondale player run to the end line, around the defence and square the ball across the 6 yard box. Two strikers were unmarked and knocked it in from close range to give the home side a 2-0 lead. Carrig pushed hard in the final part of the game, Victor Mazur was playing well down the right and Liam Gosnell was always dangerous down the left. It looked like we might get back in it when after a goaline scramble, the ref gave Carrig a penalty. Unfortunately Darragh McCann blazed it over. Other chances came and went, but as with the rest of the season Carrig just didn't click in the final 3rd of the pitch.

 

Ballyseedy Man of the Match - Victor Mazur
Starting lineup: G Cody, T O'Brien, J Long, D McCann, B O'Leary, J Hyde (c), A Pender, L Gosnell, S Hoare, C Horgan, M Doody.
Subs: S Mackey, V Mazur, D Grimes, B Twomey, K Coady.

 

 

National Cup v Corinthians Boys in Ballyadam Park on Sunday 6th November
Carrigtwohill United 1 Corinthians Boys 5

Round 3 of the National Cup saw Premier league leaders Corinthians Boys come to Ballyadam. Carrig played well but small lapses in defence were punished by the visitors.

 

The game was very even at the beginning with the visitors just shading the possession in midfield. Carrig were working hard, particularly Billy Manning and John Hyde in midfield. The first goal came from the right, a good cross that keeper Victor Mazur could only get finger tips to, but unfortunately it fell straight to a Corinthians player who tapped in from the goal line. The second goal was similar, but from the left. The cross cleared the near post and scored by an unmarked forward. The 3rd was an error by our keeper, who misjudged the ball and allowed it to bounce over his head. Corinthians added a 4th soon after, another scramble in the box that lead to Corinthians finishing from close range. Carrig gave themselves a lift before halftime. Liam Gosnell crossed in a dangerous corner, their keeper missed it and it rebounded off the back of the defenders head to make the score 1-4 at the break.

 

Carrig made changes to get fresh legs on the pitch and battled well for the rest of the game. The defence, with new centre half Aaron Pender and old reliable Tom O'Brien in the middle, played well. Corinthians got another goal midway through the half to secure the game as both teams emptied their benches to use their full squad. A disappointing result on paper, but when you consider the quality of the opposition and Carrig's form so far this season, we all hope this good performance can kickstart the team to recover last season's league form.

 

Ballyseedy Man of the Match - Tom O'Brien.
Starting lineup: V Mazur, T O'Brien, J Long, A Pender, D McCann, B Manning, B O'Leary (c), J Hyde, L Gosnell, P Dorgan, C Keegan.
Subs: M Doody, R O'Shea, G O'Brien, B Twomey, J Doyle.

 

 

League v Corkebg in Whitegate on Saturday 29th October
Corkbeg 5 Carrigtwohill United 1

Our poor start to the season continued as Carrig collapsed to a 5-1 defeat to local rivals Corkbeg.

 

In terrible wind and rain the game started as our usual closely fought match with Corkbeg. Both teams trying to get used to the heavy, wet pitch. Corkbeg struck first after about 15mins. Carrig began to play well, with good work in the centre midfield by John Hyde and Billy Manning. Unfortunately Carrig couldn't level the game and Corkbeg got another just before the halftime break.

 

Carrig made changes at the half to try and spark some life into the game, but the more Carrig pressed forward the more Corkbeg broke away. A very poor team performance allowed Corkebg to score 3 more goals to lead 5-0 with minutes to go. Carrig eventually struck back late on. A quick free kick from the back, was feed to Gary O'Brien and he played a great ball in behind the defence to the on rushing Philip Dorgan. He controlled the ball and scored his 3rd of the season into the far corner.

 

Ballyseedy Man of the Match - John Hyde.
Starting lineup: B O'Leary, T O'Brien, J Long, D McCann, B Manning, V Mazur, J Hyde, A Pender, L Gosnell (c), P Dorgan, K Coady.
Subs: C Keegan, B Twomey, C Horgan, G O'Brien, C Harte.

 

 

National Cup v Richmond in Ballyadam Park on Sunday 16th October
Carrigtwohill United 5 Richmond 3

Finally we got our first win of the season, that takes us into round 3 of the National Cup.

 

Carrig started well and took the lead to Liam Gosnell, his 6th of the season. Richmond fought back and scored twice to take the lead. Kevin Coady pounced for this first goal of the season to level the game at half time 2-2.

 

Morgan Doody won a penalty in the second half and Darragh McCann converted to give Carrig the lead again. Liam Gosnell added another and Carrig began to dominate the second half. The game was finished when Victor Mazur broke down the left, and fired home his first ever goal for Carrig (Victor usually plays in goal). Billy Manning took the Ballyseedy Man of the Match award for his great midfield play.

 

Ballyseedy Man of the Match - Billy Manning.
Starting lineup: B O'Leary, T O'Brien, J Doyle, D McCann, B Manning, V Mazur, S Hoare (c), J Hyde, L Gosnell, M Doody, K Coady.
Subs: S Mackey, R O'Shea, G O'Brien, J Long, D Grimes.

 

 

League v Leeds in Ballyadam Park on Saturday 1st October
Carrigtwohill United 2 Leeds 6

The visit of table topping Leeds to Ballyadam Park resulted in us conceded 6 goals for the second week running.

 

This game had a blistering start. Leeds broke down the right within 2 mins and a ball played behind our defence caught us out. The Leeds winger finished well to the net. Carrig responded straight from the kick off. Aarron Pender played Liam Gosnell through down our left and he broke into the box and shot over to keeper to level the match at 1-1, after only 5 mins.

 

The game settled down then as both teams began to play well. Carrig took the lead from a free kick. Liam Gosnell shot from the right side of the penalty area and it beat everyone, to put Carrig 2-1 up. Leeds were always dangerous down their left and that's where their equaliser came from. Again the Carrig defence was static as Leeds broke through on goal and another strong finish left our keeper little chance.

 

Leeds began the second half well and got their reward for the pressure they put our defence under. They broke through the backline and although keeper Ben O'Leary saved the first shot well, it rebounded onto the cross bar and fell into the path of a Leed's striker. He tapped in from close range to give them the lead, 2-3. Carrig pushed hard to try and level the game, but our midfield was been outplayed. Once Leeds got the 4th goal, heads began to drop and the fight looked to be lost. Both sides had chances, but it was the visitors who took theirs. They made is 2-5. Carrig emptied the sub's bench to get some fresh legs into the game, but Leeds finished stronger and notched a 6th late on.

 

Ballyseedy Man of the Match - Liam Gosnell.
Starting lineup: B O'Leary, T O'Brien (c), D McCann, S Hoare, B Manning, J Hyde, A Pender, G O'Brien, L Gosnell, P Dorgan, M Doody.
Subs: D Grimes, J Doyle, S Mackey, R McGrath, R O'Shea.

 

 

 

League v Macroom in Macroom on Saturday 17th September
Macroom 6 Carrigtwohill United 4

We travelled to Macroom expecting our usual tough close battle with Macroom, and that's what we got.

 

Due to some delays, we arrived late and had to rush onto the pitch to get the game going. This had a very bad effect and we started very slow. Macroom stormed into a 3 goal lead as we tried to get into the game. Stand in keeper Tom O'Brien, played well but could do nothing to stop the 3 goals as all the team struggled to pick up the pace of the Macroom play. We created one great chance late in the half. Liam Gosnell beat his man on the right wing and crossed into the box. The keeper missed it, but unfortunately the onrushing Gary O'Brien narrowly missed it too.

 

Carrig made changes at halftime, Philip Dorgan for Morgan Doody and Brendan Twomey for Gary O'Brien. Right from the start Carrig began to play some good football and were rewarded with a few minutes. Conor Keegan sent over a corner from the left and Liam Gosnell arrived unmarked at the back post to side foot volley it throw the keeper's legs. Carrig kept up the pressure but were caught on the break by the fast Macroom forwards, who made it 4-1. As the heavy rain fell Carrig drove on and soon scored again. Conor Keegan scoring direct from a free kick from the right corner of the penalty box. Within minutes Philip Dorgan pounced on a loose ball in the 6 yard box and poked in from close range to make it 4-3.

 

Macroom were under pressure and only had a few chances, but due to our weekend defence and their clinical finishing they scored a 5th. Carrig came again and a great turn and shot by Cormac Horgan from 20 yards, beat the keeper low into the left corner of the net to make it 5-4 with minutes remaining. Unfortunately Carrig just couldn't get the equaliser and Macroom broke away again to score their 6th. A great 2nd half fight back that fell short.

 

Ballyseedy Man of the Match - Tom O'Brien.
Starting lineup: T O'Brien, J Long (c), D McCann, S Hoare, C Keegan, J Hyde, A Pender, G O'Brien, L Gosnell, C Horgan, M Doody.
Subs: K Coady, B Manning, P Dorgan, B Twomey.

 

 

League v Churchvilla in Ballyadam on Saturday 3rd September
Carrigtwohill United 3 Churchvilla 3

First game of the season brought Churchvilla to Ballyadam Park and as usual a great game full of goals and incidents.

 

Both teams took a while to settle but deservedly the visitors struck first. Poor defending allowed 2 Churchvilla forwards free in the box and when the cross came in from the left, it was hammered home. Liam Gosnell and Conor Harte were the main threat down Carrig's right and they carved out several chances before the break.

 

At halftime Jamie Long, Philip Dorgan and Brendan Twomey came off the bench. Churchvilla again punished Carrig for poor defending, when from a corner the Churchvilla player scored with a free header from only 8 yards. This did rattle Carrig and eventually they began to play some good attacking football. Liam Gosnell started the come back with a great goal from a free kick at the left corner of the penalty box (I still think he should have crossed it!). With time running out Carrig left Churchvilla regain their lead when a shot from the edge of the box was deflected into the top corner of the net. 1-3 to the visitors, with only 12 mins to go.

 

Carrig immediately attacked and again Liam Gosnell (Ballyseedy Man of the Match) broke down the left, beat his man and shot low into the near post to beat the keeper, 2-3. Ben O'Leary and Ryan O'Shea came on to add fresh legs to Carrig's cause. Chances were created by both sides, as Carrig pressed for the equaliser. Eventually Philip Dorgan came up with the goods. He sprinted down the right, around the defence and when the keeper closed, he fired into the roof of the net to level the game.

 

To their credit both teams tried to win it, but a draw was fair result for both.

 

Ballyseedy Man of the Match - Liam Gosnell.
Starting lineup: V Mazur, J Doyle, T O'Brien, D McCann, C Harte, D Grimes, B Manning, J Hyde, G O'Brien, L Gosnell(c), S Mackey.
Subs: J Long, P Dorgan, B O'Leary, R O'Shea, B Twomey.