ERSS 3 - Hazelwood College 2
Our u15 soccer team came out on top in the Munster Minor Trophy Final vs Hazelwood College Dromcollogher today. The game took place at Carraig Park, Fermoy AFC in what was perfect weather conditions for football, on their fantastic astro-turf facilities.
Our starting 11 for today's game was a slight variation on recent games. The team was packed with good strong physical players with plenty of pace.
We are extremely lucky that our u15 soccer squad is a 25 man squad with many talented players ready to come on and help us when needed, and today they certainly made the difference.
MATCH REPORT:
First Half 1-10min
The game started at a furious pace, both sides determined to make their mark on the game early. Hazelwood certainly had the better handle on the game early on. Within the first minutes our keeper Eoin Connolly was extremely busy in goal, saving a long range effort, tipping it onto the bar and also collecting from some excellent high balls put in from the corners by Hazelwood.
Hazelwood keep possession very well, and for the first 10 minutes we found it very hard to get on the ball. They passed well, drove forward and our lads found it very hard to settle and play the type of football they are normally used to. Credit to Hazelwood for their hard work early on to make us very unsettled. A number of their corners would have been certain goals if it were not for Eoin in goal, some brilliant saves early on to keep us in it.
Our first effort in the game came from the hard work of Harry Farrell, his ball over the back line left Conor O'Meara one on one with their keeper, but it was well saved. We had a second attack via Fionn Power on the right wing, with Fionn working hard and dribbling into the Hazelwood box. Another shot on target. These attacks gave us some confidence but Hazelwood were back in form soon after with a free kick well taken, but again Eoin Connolly was there to make the save. Our defense did their part throughout the many attacks from Hazelwood, a number of free kicks well defended by the wall, helping to deflect efforts from goal. After 10 minutes we ourselves had a free kick in a nice position, Harry Farrell came close with his effort.
First Half 10-20min
The next period of the game was end to end, both teams matching up in midfield and preventing any meaningful shots on target. ERSS settled better as time passed, we got more physical to try match Hazelwood. However, we came close to going behind twice in this time. A ball from their right wing rolled past our keeper and hit the post, the rebound was smothered by Eoin as Hazelwood rushed in. Jay O'Gorman cleared off the line from a corner after Eoin was again brilliant in the air to defend the high ball, meant we held on during this shaky period.
First Half 20-30min
Hazelwood were very unlucky not to be ahead at this point, on balance they had the better chances and a lot of them. We were clinging on, but our midfield Tommy Bourke, Dylan Walsh and Jay O'Gorman worked extremely hard to break up their play. Again Eoin Connolly was the hero, making a quick reaction double save and our centre backs Callum Hartery and Craig O'Donnell making sure the ball was cleared. We had a good chance from a free kick, just over from Alex O'Dwyer, who was putting in some great balls from left back all game. We felt unlucky 25min in not to be awarded a penalty, Conor O'Meara was pushed over in the box from behind but nothing given.
First Half 30-35min
The last 5 minutes of the first half was where we really started to play well, Jay O'Gorman took the ball from deep in midfield, from just outside the box he hit a low hard shot, blocked by Hazelwood's centre back, but Conor O'Meara followed in. Their keeper pulled off a great save, and we were disappointed not to be ahead. This gave the lads a push and the belief to go again, Fionn Power this time putting in an early ball over their defensive line that was high and Harry Farrell came across from left wing to very calmly slot the ball under the keeper as he tried to adjust and get down to save.
(ERSS 1 - 0 Hazelwood)
At this stage we were happy to see out the game and regroup at half time. We knew from the first half that Hazelwood had it in them to come back
Second Half 1-10min
We felt the best tactic second half was to go long and direct and test Hazelwood's high line on our kickouts. Only minutes into the second half it paid off. Eoin Connolly placed a kick out to Fionn Power, who flicked on the ball to Conor O'Meara who won a corner from the passage of play.
We went on to score from the corner, Alex O'Dwyer with another brilliant in-swinger, that nearly went in directly, but Jay O'Gorman got his head to the ball to make sure.
(ERSS 2 - 0 Hazelwood)
Hazelwood immediately sprung attacks after going down two nil. 6 minutes into the second half they scored from a free kick just outside the box. Eoin was very unlucky not to save, but the ball took a deflection off our wall as it jumped.
(ERSS 2 - 1 Hazelwood)
Not long after kicking off, Hazelwood launched a very quick attack again, our back line was caught out and Hazelwood had a one on one with our keeper. Jay got back from midfield to make an unbelievable block/dispossession. To us on the sideline it was a perfectly timed tackle with Jay getting the ball and not touching the man, but unfortunately the referee saw it otherwise and awarded a penalty to Hazelwood. We were extremely disappointed to concede as we did, but credit to Hazelwood's penalty taker, it was an unstoppable effort.
(ERSS 2 - 2 Hazelwood)
Second Half 10-20min
We made a substitution early in the second half at centre back. Callum Hartery made way for Oran Norris. Callum had an excellent game, but as players were dealing with a lot of running we felt a fresh pair of legs would help cover the over head balls Hazelwood were dropping in.
Heads could have dropped as we gave up a 2 goal lead in such a short space of time, but a free kick from Alex landed in to Jay O'Gorman in the box, gave us back our lead 10 minutes into the second half.
(ERSS 3 - 2 Hazelwood)
The next 10 minutes was frantic, players on both sides giving everything in getting up for attacks and covering back in defense. Many players went down with cramp at this stage and both teams started to tire.
Second Half 20-35min
Naturally we were nervous with a one goal lead, and knew that Hazelwood were more than capable of coming back. At this stage we had a shot on target in the box, and a Hazelwood defender handled the ball, cries for a penalty waved away by the referee. We needed to make changes at this stage and I think the players we brought on changed the game in our favour.
Tommy Bourke was replaced by Shay Commins in the hold midfielder position and Conor O'Meara was replaced by Evan Moran, who fit in at right wing to give us some energy down that side.
27 minutes into the second half, the game became a very high pressure affair especially in midfield and the wings as Hazelwood upped their tempo. Credit to our players, every man put his body on the line to block and run and make sure we didn't concede an equaliser. Jack Torphy Walsh, who was eminence all game at right back, put out a Hazelwood cross from a corner with a defensive header.
With 5 minutes left we made another substitution. Dylan Walsh was replaced by Rhys Prenderville at the no.10. Rhys along with Evan Moran and Jack Torphy Walsh made some vital interceptions and tackles to hold off Hazelwood and see out the game as winners.
Final score (ERSS 3 - 2 Hazelwood)
A brilliant game for the neutrals, a nerve wrecking end for ourselves and no doubt a disappointing one for the Hazelwood team, who were fantastic and didn't deserve the loss on the day.
A proud day for our school winning this competition, all very happy faces getting their hands on the cup.
A few words of thanks:
Firstly to the 25 man squad, they have been a pleasure to bring to every game this year. They have given everything to the school team and a Trophy win was definitely deserved. Their behaviour both on and off the field has been excellent and it has made every match day an enjoyable one.
To Killian Power, Darragh Dunne and Ciaran Power (5th year students). Thank you for all your assistance with the team throughout the year, you have been fantastic mentors to the boys on the team.
To Ms Gleeson (Principal) and Ms Barry (DP). Thank you for all your support for soccer in the ERSS. To Mr. McCormack, thank you for all the organisational work that goes on behind the scenes for the Junior teams, without you the ERSS soccer teams would not be possible.
Thank you to the first year students that attended today to show their support and cheer on the team, the atmosphere was fantastic. Thank you to their supervising teachers Mr McCormack, Ms. Walsh and Ms Shaw. A very special thank you to Ms Shaw, for all the photography for today's game
Ms Kane & Ms Flynn
(Management team)
Munster Trophy Final Winners 2024
コメント