Blackwater Motors Cup v Leeside in Ballyadam Park on Sunday 12th February 2017
Carrigtwohill United 0 Leeside 4

Leeside are a strong club and their teams are always well organised and play with ambition. Today was no exception as Carrigtwohill’s Under 12’s took on their neighbours in the Blackwater Motors Cup at Ballyadam Park.

This is a derby of course and not really an unusual one in this age group because both Carrig and Leeside are in Division 2 and there will be many matches between these two sides this season!

This match being a cup match, both teams started on a strong tempo, despite the heavy pitch and breezy conditions. Carrig were a bit unlucky not to go in front early on when a goal mouth scramble failed to deliver anything other than two consecutive goal line clearances by Leeside. It was even more unfortunate given that they would have few occasions during the match, Leeside being well organised at the back.

At the other end, Carrig’s defenders were kept busy to say the least with Ruairi Adam in goals saving a number of one v ones and Ryan Deasy saving not once, but twice on his line inside the first 10 minutes.

Leeside were playing simple football, using the speed of their forward to come around the defence and shoot from close. This is how they scored their first three goals, leaving Carrig’s goal keeper stranded with powerful shots. It was hard to tell if Carrig were defending a bit high or if Leeside were really that quick – as Carrig were chasing the game, they had to try to press high enough up the pitch, but this fail to deliver clear chances at the Leeside end.

A cup match is a “winner takes all” affair and Carrig are out of this cup, but it is all to play for in the league and in the Albert Conboye Cup. More matches against Leeside will be involved in these competitions and Carrig will be looking for better outcomes!

Tired legs and disappointment were in evidence at the end of the game on Carrig’s touchline but the attitude had been very right for the entire game, Carrig pushing all the way to the final whistle in search of an elusive goal. Daniel Murnane was a good illustration of this – his tireless efforts not really rewarded during the match – but what a strong performance from him!

Player of the Match – Daniel Murnane