Courtesy: The Nationalist


Hacketstown claim girl futsal title

Thursday, February 02, 2017

Carlow Community Games kicked off its 2017 calendar of events on 15 January with Ballon Community Centre hosting the U13 Futsal competition.

Bennekerry/Tinryland and Graiguecullen kicked off the boys competition; however the Graiguecullen team were too strong for this young B/T team who put up a great battle. Graigue’s defence were unstoppable and combined with Jack Byrne being on fire they comfortably moved to the next stage but not before Jack’s cousin Mark Mullens, playing for B/T, scored a cracker much to the delight of the crowd. This B/T team of Sean Buggy, Cian Campion, Charlie Deacy, Jack Deacy, Evan McAteer, Mark Mullens, Calum Nolan and Fionn O’Toole will be a big threat next year.

Ballon/Rathoe and Hacketstown delivered an exciting match for the neutral supporter with nothing separating them after normal time finishing 2-2. In extra time, both teams displayed defensive skills that were superior to their age level and resulted in a draw. Penalties proceeded and at the end of the five they were still level, so sudden death resulted in Ballon/Rathoe moving to the next round. This was a heartbreaking way for Hacketstown’s team of James Boland, Lee Bowes, and Dara Connolly. Marco Emad, Colm Garahy, Aaron Kelly, Adam Kinsella and Jack O’Toole to depart the competition but they did with their heads held high.

Rathvilly took on a young Askea team and like the previous game it was deadlock at full time with 1-1. In extra time, Askea upped their game and won 3-1. This was a spirited performance from Rathvilly’s team of Adam Burgess, Peter Burgess, Corrmac Byrne, Ethan Carty, Sam Collier, TJ Deering, Conor Elliot and Liam Gavin.

The Tullow/Grange team of Charlie Brennan, Jamie Haugh, Cathal Hennessy, Shane Hogan, Tom Hughes, Shane McCormican, Thomas Monaghan and Conor Nolan put up an impressive display against a strong Borris team and it was the latter that deservingly advanced to the semi-final stages.

B/R team of Sean Brennan, Evan Corr, Oisin Doyle, Shane Duffy, Danny Gibson, James Ingram. Billy Nolan and John O’Reilly put up a great battle with tournament favourites Graiguecullen but it was Graiguecullen who advanced 6-3.

Askea took on Borris in the next semi-final. Borris started the stronger with Luke Fenlon, who had an outstanding game for the lads in Red and Black, scoring the opening goal. Askea’s young Ben McCarron pulled of a string of great saves and Luke Murphy was outstanding in defence, before team mate Liam Ryan brought Askea back into the game. Luke Fenlon, Luke Kavanagh and Jamie Nolan all got on the score sheet for Borris and it was Borris who advanced 5-4. This is a young Askea team of Ben McCarron, Liam Ryan, Alan Bohanna, Adam Dalton, David Martin, Luke Murphy and John Phiri will be worth watching next year.

Due to time restraints the boy’s final between Graiguecullen and Borris will be played at a later stage.
In the U13 girls competition, Askea and Graiguecullen opened up. This was a well-balanced affair until Kerrie Smith struck home a great shot to give Graiguecullen the lead. The score remained the same until the final minutes when Graigue added another score to advanced 2-0. This was a very young Askea team of Kate Cullen, Aine Fallon, Niamh Grey, Samantha Hennessey, Roisin Kennedy, and Emer O’Hanlon who did their area proud.
The Borris/St Mullins team of Aibhinn Dowling, Aisling Joyce, Hannah Kehoe, Sarah Keehoe, Caoilfhionn Lawlor, Geri Mae Murphy and Orla Ryan put up a great battle with Ballon/Rathoe, who were much stronger and advanced to the next round.

Hacketstown and Bennekerry/ Tinryland was a close affair with both teams playing a great brand of football. Hacketstown advanced 2-1 but B/T should be very proud of their girls – Eva Doyle, Alannah Querin, Ria Mullins, Sarah Nolan, Lily O’Neill, Maeve O’Neill, Sinead Thompson and Orla Woods who were outstanding.
Ballon/Rathoe’s team of Roisin Connolly, Aoibhinn Iroh, Ciara Kelly, Aoife Kelly, Niamh Lawlor, Ruth O’Byrne, Eimear Raleigh and Aoife Smithers went into the semi-final with Graiguecullen, the favourites. They lived up to this tag in the first half dominating the game with Roisin Connolly and Aoibhinn Kelly scoring. On the stroke of half-time, Kerrie Smith got Graigueculen on the score sheet. The second half was a reversal with Graiguecullen dominating and with an outstanding display from Orla Keating in goal. Ellen Redmond levelled the game and extra time beckoned. Graiguecullen was on target again and deserving advanced to the final 3-2 (aet).

Rathvilly’s team of Ciara Bryne, Leila Colfer, Ruby Collier, Sarah Curran, Faye Elliot, Ella Molloy, Fia Murphy and Amalita O’ Donoghue, who had got a bye into the semi-final with Hacketstown put a great contest but were no match for the Hacketstown girls. So it was to be a Hacketstown v Graiguecullen in the Final.
On Sunday, the girls U13 final took place between Graiguecullen and Hacketstown and it was a tense affair with all giving their all however it was the Hacketstown team of Alanna Coogan, Caoimhe Coogan, Leah Furlong, Grainne Lambert, Aibhe Maguire, Kristan Mallin, Sophie Myers and Rachel Tracey that emerged worthy winners and will represent the county in the next stages with goals from Caoimhe Coogan, Maguire and Tracey. Graiguecullen’s team of Rose Faskin, Emma Doyle, Kaylla Fields, Orla Keating, Ellen Redmond, Kerrie Smith, Emma Delaney and Alanna Wall received silver.



Posted by Luca Ranocchiari --> luca.ranocchiari@futsalplanet.com