Our U16s continued their good start to the season with a convincing win in the first round of the Connacht Cup. Their opponents Benbulben FC play in the top tier of the Sligo league and provided stiff opposition on the day.
Kinvara’s first goal came at 12 minutes. A corner from Róan was headed in by Isaac. The defender tried to clear but Evan pounced and fired the ball to the roof of the net. 1-0
The second came at 17minutes. Eli showed great control of the ball and cut back to Róan who sent the defender and finished cooly. 2-0
Charlie Forde provided the assist for Kinvara’s 3rd on 31 mins. He drove down the left wing and whipped a dangerous ball into the penalty area. Róan hit first time and scored past the diving keeper.
Benbulben started the 2nd half strongly after making a number of changes. They scored 5 mins in and almost scored a second a few mins later. Thankfully Kinvara reasserted their dominance and put 3 goals between the teams again. Shane Shox played an excellent cross field pass to Adam who beat his man with a lovely touch and fired across the keeper. 4-1
Minutes before Shane Shox almost scored an amazing bicyle kick only for the keeper to make a good save. JJ made his debut for the U16s with an assured, intelligent display at centre back in the second half.
Kinvara’s 5th came hot on the heels of the 4th. Róan channeled his inner Katie McKabe and scored to the far post off a corner. 5-1
Soon after this Eli powered forward and played an exquisite pass into the box with his outstep. Keelin met the ball at full tilt and struck the ball perfectly, driving it past the keeper. Unstoppable! 6-1
Kinvara’s final goal was a sublime strike by Evan, with an assist by Róan. Evan’s first touch was good but the strike, from 25 yards, was pure class. 7-1
This is a game we can remember, sometime in the future, when things don’t work out like we want. Our individuals are good but, as a team, we are great… greater than the sum of our parts.
Thanks to the supporters who turned up on the day. Thanks to Jeff Higgins who refereed the game calmly and fairly, as always. Thanks also to Tommy and the rest of the Benbulben management and team. They played well and were a lot closer than the scoreline might suggest.
Next up is St. Bernards at home in the league on Friday.
Kinvara Utd: Lorcan Ward, Samuel O’Donoghue, Jake McMahon, Shane Talty, Charlie McKernan, Evan Canning, Isaac Warrick, Róan Cassidy Ó Máirtín (c) Adam Hammer, Charlie Forde, Eli Huban, Luke Marchant, Shane Shaughnessy, Donnacha Mullane, Conor O’Donnell, Keelin Morud, JJ O’Connor. Missing from photo: Otis Warrick
Management: Pádraig Ó Máirtín, Damien Forde, Paul Canning and Nóra Cassidy
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