SMGS Soccer Update

Blarney’s respective boys’ soccer teams got their campaigns underway in the Munster Competition over the last few weeks.

All 3 teams were given extremely tough teams in their respective draws: the U15s faced Rochestown who are serial Munster champions, the U17s were drawn against Douglas Community school, always one of the strongest sides, and the U19s faced Spioraid Naoimh, most of whose team won the Munster and Cork U17 titles last year.

Unfortunately, the challenge facing the U15s and the U17s was too much, losing 4-0 and 3-0 respectively. The boys put up a good fight, and played well for large periods of their matches. It would be no surprise to see their opponents reach the latter stages of the competition. Both teams were therefore knocked out and will now have to wait until after the New Year and the start of the Cork competition for another chance.

The U19s however put in a fantastic performance to beat Spioraid Naoimh 3-1. Having gone 1-0 down to an early goal after a mix up between goalkeeper and defence, the rest of the match was dominated by Blarney, looking solid and assured in defence, snappy in midfield and inventive in attack.

A low drive from Ronan O’Brien from the edge of the box levelled the match in the first half, and early in the second half Jack Leonard held off his man to then shimmy through and put our boys ahead. A cute finish by Scott Forrest when put through gave the score a fairer reflection, and even a soft penalty conceded was saved by goalkeeper Jake O’Leary, atoning for his earlier mistake. Lots of credit must go to the rest the team for frustrating our opponents and limiting them to half chances. Honourable mentions go to Luke O’Sullivan and Sean Keane.

The next round is against Colaiste Choilm.