Scoil Aireagail 4
Grennan College 0
On the 16th of October the boys under 17 soccer team played Grennen College in their first league match in Thomastown. The Grennen lads got off to the better start even with the disadvantage of playing up the hill. Scoil Aireagail were slow to get a rhythm going but soon settled into the game. The Ballyhale strikers worked hard but Grennen managed to prevent them from getting a shot on goal. After many shots on the Grennen goal, luck finally came in the Ballyhale way when Ronan Coffey lobbed the keeper to see the ball role successfully into the back of the Grennen net. Good defending from Mark Ryan, Darrell Cass Kennedy, Ronan Corcoran and Eugene Aylward saw the half time scoreboard 1-0 to Scoil Aireagail.
Ronan Coffey and Kevin Farrell started the second half off really well. The lads were unlucky missing out on goal chances in the opening minutes of the second half but continued to encourage each other throughout the game. Ten minutes into the second half good play from Scoil Aireagail followed with a powerful shot towards goal by Kevin Farrell which bounced over the Grennan goalies head. A final header by Ronan Coffey made sure the ball landed in the Grennan goal. In the space of five minutes the lads had another shot on goal, with great team work between Kevin Farrell and Ronan Coffey which resulted in another goal to Ballyhale and a well deserved hat trick for Ronan Coffey. Sully Masood played well in mid field helping out both his defenders and strikers. After only two minutes on the field, Conor O’ Dwyer had a great opportunity to score a goal but it was unfortunately saved by the Grennan keeper. A great run from Paddy Butler saw the ball barely skin the post and hit the outside net. Mark Ryan and Callan Byrne supplied plenty of passes up the wing to the Ballyhale strikers throughout the game. Brilliant goal keeping from Aaron Doherty helped Scoil Aireagail finish with a clean sheet. Despite the 3-0 lead the lads never relaxed and goal number four came with quick thinking from Kevin Farrell to slot the ball in behind the Grennan goalie to finish with a final score of 4-0 to Scoil Aireagail.
Best of luck to Scoil Aireagail in their next games against Mooncoin and Callan.
Thanks to their manager Mr. Hagan and to Eimear Fitzpatrick and Emily Murphy for reporting on the match.
