Under – 16

5th January at Kilboy Park

Churchvilla – 2

Carrigtwohill – 5

After a lengthy lay off due to cancelled games and the Christmas break Carrigtwohill United U16 resumed their league campaign with a trip away to East Cork rivals Churchvilla.  The pitch wasn’t in the best condition and this definitely did not suit the Carrigtwohill passing game which they have been playing this season.

Carrigtwohill started brightly and with Churchvilla playing a very high defensive line quickly, they figured out that a good through ball or ball over the top for their pacy front three would cause some problems for the hosts and sure enough, both David Joseph and Niall Harte had chances from such play in the early exchanges, the latter hitting the woodwork.

On 15 mins Carrigtwohill got their reward when Harte picked up the ball in midfield and with a neat turn played a perfectly weighted pass to Calvin Fitzgerald whose pace took him away from the Churchvilla defence to finish past their keeper. The visitors were now beginning to control midfield with Rooney and Scriven working hard and Joseph making all the running on the right.

Carrigtwohill were awarded a free kick inside the Churchvilla half and Calvin saw his effort rebound off one of his own players only for Harte to drive it back towards goal but such was the deflection that without the aid of VAR it must go down as an own goal!

With 27 mins gone, it was 2-0 to Carrigtwohill and it would remain that way until half-time although they would rattle the frame of the goal twice more and spurn some good chances before the break.

The second half started as the first ended with Carrigtwohill in control and making all the play. Their defence stood firm and dealing with anything Churchvilla had to offer. Ronan and Cian were winning the aerial battles, Eric was having a super game at right back and Henry marshalled the box tidying up any loose balls.

On 48 minutes, Eric was left isolated on the right and the Churchvilla forward turned inside him and let fly, the ball had found the top corner before Ben had a chance to react, 2-1.

Shortly afterwards Carrigtwohill were down to 10 men having a player walk for two yellow cards. This gave the home side renewed hope and they threatened an equaliser but when Harte latched onto a clearance out of defence he rounded the keeper to make it 3-1.

Sean replaced Darragh on the left after 63 mins and David shot wide after being released by Eric on the right shortly afterwards.

On 76 mins came the goal of the game when Adam Rooney controlled a loose ball 25 yards out, let it drop onto his right boot and arrowed it beyond the keeper into the top right had corner, 4-1.

Reuben replaced David in the latter stages and was straight into the action chasing and running at the Churchvilla defence and got his reward with a well taken goal. The hosts were awarded a penalty before the final whistle and duly converted to make it 5-2 to Carrigtwohill at the end.

Man of the match goes to David Joseph just pipping Eric O Sullivan. Well done to all involved.

Player of the Match: David Joseph