U17 Match Report Monday 21stApril 2008
SBYFL League Cup Semi Final
Result: St Marys FC 1 SOPYC 2
A disappointing to end to the season for St Marys as they lost out in this meeting of the top two teams in the SBYFL as each competed for a place in the cup final. Unfortunately it was to prove a night of difficult football on a very poor pitch with SOPYC just coming out on top despite a spirited performance from St Marys.
There was only 10 minutes gone when hesitancy in defence allowed SOPYC to take an early lead.
St Mary's fought back with chances for Conor Saunders from an Antoin Rooney cross and then Kevin Meighan making the goalkeeper save.
Into the second half the game continued with St Mary's pressing for an equaliser but SOPYC hitting on the break. Kevin Meighan again went close whilst at the other end Warren Patterson made a good save. However, disaster struck when SOPYC found space and a great shot gave Patterson no chance.
Down 2 - 0 it was time to throw everything at the SOPYC goals and with all subs brought into play the fresh impetus was giving St Mary's the lion's share of the play. Chris Boy sent a long free kick into the area and Declan Hackett rose high to head home. Urged on by the sizeable crowd St Mary's chased the equaliser but whilst Michael O'Reilly went close the goal just wouldn't come and a bad night finished with Hackett having to be carried off injured before the end.
So the season closed with St Mary's runners up to SOPYC in the league and falling at the semi final stage of the cup whilst reaching the quarter final of the NIBFA Cup. Whilst disappointed not to win any competition the team played some great football through the year and have definitely made progress which should hopefully see some of the squad progressing to higher level football next year.
Team:
Warren Patterson, Michael Fearon ( sub Michael Kane ), Daniel Lunney ( sub James Cachart ) Chris Boy, Conor Saunders, Declan Hackett, Antoin Rooney ( sub Tony McVeigh), Ryan McAuley ( sub John Meighan ) , Hugh Campbell, Michael O'Reilly, Kevin Meighan.
Unavailable: Conor Devlin, Chris Barr, Jim Boyle, Michael Donaghy, Chris Walsh, Daniel McCreesh.