Under-15 G National Cup
Sun, 29 Oct 23 at Wilton
Carrigtwohill United – 4
Wilton FC – 3
Carrigtwohill Girls U15 were away to Wilton U16 in the National Cup on Sunday 29th October. It was one of the few games on a grass pitch to go ahead at the weekend.
So far this season the girls have failed to reach the heights we all know they can achieve. Maybe the hunger is no longer there, maybe too many people think they are guaranteed a place in the starting 11, maybe they need a fresh voice from a new manager. Maybe it’s a combination of all three.
They started the season in glorious sunshine at home with a very hard fought win against local rivals Midleton. That was followed up by a midweek away victory over Blarney. Then it was away to Kinsale in torrential rain and gales where Lily O’Connell (Captain for the league) was unplayable scoring some spectacular goals. Then it was home to Fermoy where some wayward shooting nearly cost them a draw against a very strong and composed Fermoy team. We were lucky to come away with a draw in the end.
So It was National Cup time, playing a year up against a very strong Wilton U16’s. This was going to test the girls and so it did. Carrigtwohill opened the scoring within the first three minutes and should have kicked on. Close the opposition down and don’t give them time to shoot is a mantra, but Carrigtwohill afforded Wilton too much space and didn’t close down the player in possession and in the blink of an eye it was 1 – 1. Carrigtwohill were then dealt a huge blow when midfield powerhouse Maedhbh Carroll was forced off. Carrigtwohill responded to the hammer blow and a goal from Sophia Redmond had them back in front. Surely we would kick on now but instead a combination of players outfield not working hard enough off the ball and some complacent defending saw Wilton draw level again.
Carrigtwohill rang the changes at half time introducing Isabelle and Majka who both went on to have super second halves. Carrigtwohill kept pressing and were awarded a penalty. Up stepped Lily to hammer the ball home. 3 – 2 to the visitors. Wilton attacked with real purpose from the centre and found themselves back on level terms within minutes. In between that Emily on goal made some very important saves to keep Carrigtwohill in the tie. Extra time looked to be on the cards until Kinga scored a superb solo goal to make it 4 – 3. She cut in from the right, beat three defenders before coolly scoring what turned out to be the winner. It was a tense finish but the Carrig girls just about did enough to merit victory.
Best for Carrigtwohill were Anna, Alex, Gemma, Majka and Isabelle but Captain Megan Walker was outstanding from start to finish. She lead by example and eventually was forced off with five minutes to go having given it her all and leaving herself with nothing more to give. A truly inspirational performance.
Time for the real leaders in this team to put up their hands now and start walking the walk before it’s too late. We all know they have it in their locker. This first division title race is going to be a dogfight. It will come down to who wants it the most. What team has the fire in their bellies. We want to kick on from here, we want a response not tears. We want to be playing in the premier division next year.
