Under-15 G National Cup
Sun, 19 Nov 23 at Ardrath Park
Carrigtwohill United – 1
Youghal United – 1
It was early to bed and early to rise for the Carrigtwohill U15’s squad this weekend. The eagerly anticipated clash between these two east Cork rivals was on and it was most certainly worth waiting for.
Early in the week there was an impending clash with an U14 National Cup also and girls would have been devastated if circumstances forced them to miss this tie. Ballyadam fell foul to the weather and it was all roads lead to Youghal.
Kinga and Emily had Imokilly Camogie trials, demonstrating huge commitment they arrived just before kick off, livewire Alex O’Flynn chose her team over the All Ireland Irish dancing championships. Phenomenal commitment from Alex, commitment you know you’ll always get from this superstar. Aren’t we lucky she did because Alex eventually scored the equaliser.
Carrigtwohill started with Claire in goals, Captain Megan, Sarah, Caitlín and Isabelle. All of the back 4 and Majka when introduced played brilliantly, Sarah Cronin and Caitlín back to their very best. Isabelle Snow excelling at left back and Megan Walker playing a Captains Role.
The colossus that is Maedhbh Carroll was back to her marauding best and with her Midfield partner Kaci Rice she controlled and dominated possession and territory. On the left was Alex and Anna the maestro Madden on the right, Actually Alex started on the left but such was her phenomenal appetite for work she must have nearly covered every blade of grass. Upfront was Lily and Aoife Kenny. Aoife played a superb pass to nearly open the scoring but the Youghal keeper was alert and read the danger. The Youghal defence were fast, athletic and strong and bossed the Carrigtwohill forward line in the early exchanges. Carrigtwohill were also playing against a huge wind and so decent supply to the forward line was limited, with Lily working hard coming deep looking for ball.
The match wasn’t long on and Carrigtwohill were struggling to adjust to the huge wind and we failed to close down the Youghal playmaker and from about 25 yards out she curled a shot to the top corner of the net giving keeper Claire absolutely no chance. Lesson learned by Carrigtwohill, from then on they closed her down and limited her shooting chances. Carrigtwohill went on the attack but Youghal were repelling all they threw at them until Carrigtwohill got the ball on the right and crossed, Alex O’Flynn ghosted into the box from the left, controlled with her first touch and dispatched the ball to the net. A super finish from a superb player. Carrigtwohill were back in the game. Amelia Sheehan replaced Aoife and right away she set the tone of her performance with an unbelievable work ethic and commitment to the Carrigtwohill cause.
Carrigtwohill Introduced Majka, Emily, Kinga and Gemma and all had superb games, Gemma was a constant thorn in the Youghal defence’s side, her touch, running and crosses were superb and had Carrigtwohill more players in the box they would have scored from Gemma’s superb deliveries. Kinga’s strength and direct running caused Youghal all problems, they just could not stop her. Majka was superb at right back and Emily was playing well in midfield until keeper Claire Crowley was forced off injured following an accidental collision with a Youghal player. Emily slotted back between the posts seamlessly and made some fine saves
In the second half it was all Carrigtwohill as they had the wind advantage but we just couldn’t score despite some good shots by Gemma, Kinga, Lily and Amelia. We kept pressing and kept believing we’d find the winner but that Youghal defence stood firm. Extra time came and went without Carrigtwohill able to find the winner we deserved.
So it was on to penalties. We let the girls decide who was going to take them and in what order too. We believe in these girls. They have a maturity beyond their years. Win or lose on penalties we were still going to be proud of them. Thankfully we came out the right side of the shootout when Emily saved and Amelia scored a screamer. Today it was about the squad, our U15 squad and it was a team performance, a team roared on by their parents and family.
This is the confidence boost we needed, this victory will be the springboard to propel us forward for the tough games that lie ahead in the league and the cup
On a day when Sarah, Maedhbh, Gemma and Alex were outstanding the player of the match goes to Caitlín Egan, Coolness personified and herself and Sarah in defence were the glue that kept the team together