Local Cup v Youghal United in Ardrath Park on Thursday 31st March 2016
Youghal United 0 Carrigtwohill United 2
Scorers – George McCarthy, Darragh Ymedji.
Another great performance and this time we got the win this team has deserved all season. Our first win of the season away to a Division 1 team on the local cup.
Right from the start this game was very open with both teams attacking well and creating chances. We had a habit of always conceding first, but not tonight. A ball from Adam over the top set George through on goal and he coolly lifted the ball over the onrushing keeper and it rolled into the corner of the net to give us the lead after 6 mins. Youghal fought back and their strong midfield and strikers kept Carrig’s defence busy. They struck the post from distance, but created no clear chances. Oisin Lynch was stopping all their attacks with his strong tackling. When they got past Oisin, defenders Cian, Liam and then keeper Cameron were always able to clear the ball. As the half wore on we scored again. Piaras won a strong tackle in midfield and played the ball forward to Darragh. He controlled well, beat his man and when he was through on the keeper he finished well to give us a 2-0 lead on 24 mins.
We knew the second half wouldn’t be easy against the higher division home side but the lads worked hard for their clean sheet. Youghal got through a few times, hit the crossbar from distance and had plenty of corners, but Carrig fought, tackled and ran to ensure they weren’t getting it easy. The game was still open and we had chances to extend our lead. The best came on 52 mins when Adam put Darragh through on goal. The Youghal keeper saved twice from Darragh and then also saved a rebound shot from Eric to keep his team in the game. Shortly after this Youghal thought they had scored when their striker blocked down a clearance and the ball sat up perfectly for him only 7/8 meters out. As he shot for goal, everybody thought he’d definitely score but Cameron made a great, one handed, reaction save to deflect the ball over.
As the game came to an end, on the final whistle there was great relief and joy at our first win, our first clean sheet, a win against a higher division opponent and our entry into the next round of the cup. With more performances like this, it won’t be this team’s last win of the season. Player of the Match could have gone to 4 or 5 lads, but Oisin’s dominance in the centre of defence gets him the award.
Match day squad – Pairas Fitzpatrick, Liam Moore, Mark O’Connor, Eric O’Sullivan, Darragh Ymedji, Cameron Kenefick, Joshua Ryan, Adam Rooney, George McCarthy, Cian O’Riordan, Oisin Lynch.
Player of the Match – Oisin Lynch.