Munster Youths Cup
Fenit Samphires-1
Eoghan O’ Brien
Killarney Celtic-6
Our youths went out of the Munster Youths Cup after a tough game against Killarney Celtic on Saturday afternoon in Fenit. The conditions were ideal for the game with the pitch in great shape as always and we started quite brightly as we looked to get the ball down and move it around. Thomas Linehan and Bobby O’ Regan were very positive in possession and they looked to link up with David Murphy and Sean Higgins up front. Killarney settled into the game as the half wore on and they started to threaten our back four more and more but Eoghan O’ Brien in goals was well protected by John Dillane, Paul Nolan, Thomas Dwyer and Jamie Hogan. This pressure eventually told and Killarney took the lead midway through the half. By now we were struggling to contain the visitors as we were diving into tackles all over the pitch making it easier for Killarney to threaten our goal. Our wingers Oisin O’ Brien and Gordon Burrows worked hard throughout the half and we had created some chances when we got the ball down and looked to play wide but we couldn’t convert. Killarney added a brace of goals before the halftime break.
We knew the second half would be a tough affair but we continued to get the ball down and play. Max Benner was introduced for Gordon and added some much needed energy to the team. Once again we looked at our best when we played simple football and most of our good play started from our back five of John, Paul, Thomas, Jamie and Eoghan. We pulled a goal back midway through the half when Eoghan converted a penalty but unfortunately we couldn’t kick on from here as Killarney scored another couple shortly after. Antoin Staunton and Luke Dalton came into the game and acquitted themselves very well.
It was a tough game for our young side but they can certainly take some positives away from the game. Our back four, in particular Thomas and Jamie, never gave up and continued to make tackles and blocks right up to the final whistle while some of the passing football we played was excellent. Thanks to Killarney for a sporting game.