Challenge v Midleton in Ballyadam Park on Saturday 14th March 2015
Carrig’s U10s have been playing 7-a-side small sided games all season, culminating in the game against Douglas Hall two weeks ago. This has given them great experience, but the game will change next year when they move to U11 and enter into the CSL ranks. That will mean 9-a-side soccer and a much bigger pitch. There is also a small matter of trying to gauge what division this panel should play in next year so it is important to play a few challenge matches in preparation for this. the first one of these was on Saturday against Midleton – a reference in the region – to establish what was what.

The game started very evenly with both teams playing a lovely fluid soccer and although Midleton scored first Carrig responded, to keep the match even. This was good news and many of the Carrig players showed amazing composure. On the other hand, Midleton had a number of very strong players and after a while, that began to make a difference as Carrrig’s key players became tired.

On a heavy pitch, the running slowed down and the spaces opened and so did the scoreline, but by then, Carrig’s U10s had shown enough: there is a strong panel here and much to be looking forward to  when they move up into competitive soccer next year.

The coach’s player of the match for this first challenge match was Cilllian Barry who played like a demon at centre back. Although the big pitch made a big difference to these players, he really gave a superb display of his uncanny ability to read the game and move up to intercept passes and close down players. A quality to cultivate for the coming years.

On the day, many other players also deserved the accolade as well, but of course there is only one player of the match 🙂  We can bet that the next challenge match will see another bunch of strong performances from this group of players.

Ballyseedy Home & Gardens Man of the Match : Cillian Barry.