CARRIGALINE 4-5 VALLEY ROVERS 0-7
It was a good day at the office for the Carrigaline U21 footballers on Sunday last in Ballygarvan with a convincing victory over Valley Rovers. All over the field the Carrig lads displayed their tenacity and when the going was getting tough at the end they defended excellently. The old saying that goals win matches was certainly true in this case and each of the Carrig goals were taken with aplomb. Carrig settled early and after Ray Keohane earned a free around the middle of the field it was taken quickly to Niall Coakley who knocked over the first point of the game. The soft ground conditions were a hindrance to both teams with the ball being turned over by both teams a number of times. The games second score came from the boot of midfielder Peter Ronayne who billowed the back of the net after a block down from full forward John Walsh. This settled the Carrig lads but despite several chances they had to wait till the 24th minute before Peter Ronayne popped up with a point to add to his earlier goal. With time running out in the half Valleys kicked their first point of the half. With time running out Carrigaline were dealt a blow with the sending off of corner back Shane Barry and with the resulting free valley Rovers made the Half time score 1-2 to 0-2 in Carrigaline’s favour.
Despite being a man down Carrigaline started the second half on top. A Cormac Creed Nolan free set them on their way before some excellent passing by Cian Barry and David Drake found Simon O’Brien who scored Carrigs second goal to put them firmly in the driving seat. Valleys hit two unanswered points before Niall Coakley hit his second point of the came to keep Carrigaline in control. With time running out Valley Rovers added another point only for it to be cancelled out by David Drake. Valleys added two more points before the end but the game was over when Carrigaline added two late goals to leave the score line 4-5 to 0-7.
Carrigaline had some excellent performances on the day with Conor Hurley and Ray Keohane marshalled the defence , Stephen O’Regan and Peter Ronayne were all over the field while all the forwards worked hard especially when they didn’t have the ball. Well done to Donal O’Reilly and his selectors and the very best of luck in the final against Tracton on the 13th April.
Team: M Webb, J Cowhig, C Hurley, S Barry, a Noonan, R Keohane, C Touhy, S O’Regan, P Ronayne, P Campbell, N Coakley, T Murphy, C Creed Nolan, J Walsh, D Drake.
UPCOMING CHAMPIOSHIPS
The Premier Minor Hurlers are out next Friday evening in the first round of the Championship when they play Brian Dillon’s in Shanbally at 6.30pm. They are followed by the Junior A Footballers who play Kinsale in Riverstick on Sunday evening at 7pm. The following week is the U21 final against Tracton with a venue and time to be confirmed. All these teams need plenty of support to get the year off to the best possible start so were are calling on all supporters to come and show their support.
FIXTURES
City J2 League V Douglas in Carrigaline @7.30pm Thur 3rd April
Premier MHC V Brian Dillons in Shanbally @6.30pm Fri 4th April
Junior AFC V Kinsale in Riverstick @7pm Sun 6th April
MBFL V Courcey Rovers in Carrigaline @12.15pm Sun 6th April
IFL V Aghabullogue in Carrigaline @8pm Mon 7th April
City J2 FL V Nemo Rangers in Nemo @7pm Tue 8th April

With the U21 Footballers already into a South East Final it was the turn of the Junior A Footballers and to Premier Minor Footballers to begin their Championship campaigns. Although they lost during the week in the league the Juniors were hoping for a good start to this years Championship in Riverstick on Sunday evening, while on the Friday night the Minors made the short journey to Shanbally to take on Brian Dillons after a good start to their league. Both teams didn’t disappoint and some of the displays shown by players on both teams will hopefully mean a good run in the Championships for both sides.
Carrigaline 1-12 Kinsale 1-6
Despite being 0-5 to 0-1 down and playing against the wind Carrigaline didn’t panic and went on to win the game by a comfortable six point margin. As the first half wore on the Carrig lads began to get a stronger foothold on the game and thanks to Tom Burke and Peter Ronayne getting a grip around the middle Carrigaline began to settle and the scores started to come. Carrigaline were moving the ball well and had some top scores from Marc Doody, Cormac Creed Nolan and Paul Campbell. Then came the decisive score of the half, Peter Ronayne hitting the back of the Kinsale net to put Carrigaline firmly in control. The half finished with a Kinsale point to leave Carrig with a lead of 1-4 to 0-6.
Even though they conceded a goal Carrig never looked in any real danger and with Doody, Creed Nolan, Niall Coakley and Ray Keohane all adding scores to put the game beyond doubt. Manager Tom Burke should be pleased with the display and will look forward to the third round draw. Team: S Mellet, J Cowhig, B Irwin, R Barrett, P Campbell, G Dillon, A Noonan, T Burke, P Ronayne, C Neville, N Coakley, D O’Regan, J Mullaney, C Creed Nolan, M Doody. Subs: R Keohane, D Twomey, S O’Brien, J Kidney.
Carrigaline 7-9 Brian Dillons 1-4
The score line may be a little bit flattering but it does reflect that when Carrig came from conceded two early points to their opponents they took control of the game and never let up until the final kick of the game. Despite the disadvantage of lacking height around the middle their willingness to contest every break gave them the upper hand and with Wayne Bruton finding his forwards at will who in turn took most of the opportunities that came their way. Although they took longer to settle than Brian Dillons but when James Sheppard knocked over the first point they never looked back. Carrigs first goal came from a good save from the Dillons keeper but James McCarthy was on hand to knock in the rebound. This was after some fine points from David Drake, McCarthy and Wayne Bruton. Carrigaline went in at the half time break 1-5 to 0-2 in the lead.
The second half may have seen Carrigaline bang in the goals but they were also on top in defence with all six of them on top of their game on the evening. Sean Mellet was in command in goal while Wayne Bruton and David O’Regan worked tirelessly in the middle of the park. Up front the forwards were all winning ball and making their passes and scores count. As the game wore on the goals started to come with David Drake and Simon O’Brien scoring two apiece while James McCarthy and Dylan O’Keeffe added the other two. Carrigaline now go into the third round draw and hopefully we will see plenty more of this team in the year ahead. Team: S Mellet, S Noonan, D Bagnall, D Spillane, S O’Halloran, C Barry, S Conlon, W Bruton, D O’Regan, L O’Regan, D Drake, J McCarthy, J Sheppard, S O’Brien, D O’Keeffe. Sub: K Malone.
U21 South East Final 2008
This years final will see Carrigaline take on Tracton in what should be a cracking game in Belgooly next Sunday the 13th at 7pm. Carrigaline will be looking to get the year off to a great start but will face tough opposition in Tracton. So the club are calling on all supporters to try and make the game and get behind the lads. The Club wish Manager Donal O’Reilly, his selectors and all the players the very best of luck in this important game.