Castleisland AFC senior team has a tough trip to Ballyhahill Limerick to take on Killeaney/Bally Rovers in the fourth round of the FAI Junior Cup on Sunday.
By Mike Brosnan, PRO
Rovers play in the Desmond League Premier Division and after a slow start to the season, where they lost their two opening league games, they are now unbeaten in their last four games including their third round defeat of Clare Division 1 side Shannon Hibs three nil.
Michael Thornton scored in the first half with Ger Stack and Adrian O’Sullivan securing their victory in the second half.
Edmond Hartnett’s side has had a solid start to the season and are looking for another Desmond Premier Division scalp after defeating Ballingarry one nil in the last round.
Killeaney/Bally Rovers also defeated Ballingarry 2-1 recently in the league so as form goes this looks like being a tight game with a single goal likely to separate the sides.
Killarney Plaza U-15
Killarney Plaza U-15 Division 1 Mastergeeha 2 v 4 Castleisland AFC
Dean Poolman’s team knew they would leap frog Mastergeeha at the top of the table if they managed to gain all three points on their trip to Kilbrean Park on Saturday.
They duly obliged but not before the Islanders got a huge shock at finding themselves trailing at half time.
Mastergeeha started well and goals from Mark O’Shea and Colin O’Leary put them two up at the break.
After Poolman and assistant Colin McCarthy worked their half time magic Castleisland came out of the blocks all guns blazing in the second half.
Alex Kepp pulled one back, Ryan Dennehy grabbed the equaliser soon after, Castleisland continued to drive forward and it came as no surprise when Freddie Galway put them into the lead.
But the East Kerry side began to drive forward looking for an equaliser. Then, man of the match Dennehy grabbed his second to secure all three points with eight minutes left to send the Islanders to the summit of Division One.
Daly’s SuperValu U-13s Division 1
Mastergeeha 1 v 7 Castleisland AFC
Castleisland U-13s made the trip to Kilbrean Park to play Mastergeeha last Saturday morning, our boys started slowly and were finding chances hard to come by.
But, just before half time a scramble in the home penalty area saw the ball fall to Jack Joy who rifled it into the net to make it 1-0.
After the break the boys came out flying and scored four more goals from Finn Nolan, Kian Downey, Shay Lawless and Jack O’Donoghue.
Mastergeeha pulled a goal back with a good finish from the edge of the area but Castleisland pushed on again and scored two more goals with Jack Joy getting his second and with one from Eoghan Shire.
A great performance after a slow start and two wins from two to start the league. Next game is against Dingle Bay Rovers who are unbeaten after four games and will provide a hard test for the boys.
Denny U-17 League
Castleisland AFC 2 v 5 Tralee Dynamos
The youths were lacklustre in the first half and found themselves five down at the break against an impressive Dynamos team with Nathan Gleeson (2), Adi Cenali (2) and Derek O’Shea getting the goals, Castleisland responded with a much better second half performance and Daniel Kelly grabbed two goals but really all the damage was done in the first forty five minutes.
U-14 Girls
Killarney Woolen Mills U-14 Girls Listowel Celtic 8 v 2 Castleisland.
This game was played in a very positive manner and both sides were very evenly matched though the score line eventually suggested otherwise. Listowel started very quickly and were 1-0 up inside five minutes. Castleisland girls battled hard and got themselves back into the game with a well worked team goal that the hard working Aoife Roche finished well.
She ran tirelessly all afternoon and she’s one to watch for the season ahead.
Listowel capitalized on a defensive mix up and went in at the break 2-1 up. Castleisland unloaded the bench and this looked to have paid dividends straight away with Kate O’Connor putting Shauna Wilkinson away and she buried a bullet of a shot from the far right of the 18 yard box into the bottom left hand corner of the net to make it 2-2 with forty minutes gone.
From there Listowel showed their strength and took over and won out easily in the end. Strong at the back for Castleisland were stand-in goalkeeper Maire Collins, Holly Horan, Katie Kerins and Player of the match for Castleisland Amy Curtin who was an incredibly tough defender all day! Strong in the middle were the fast running, Tara Kerins, Sarah Scanlon, Eilis Enright and Hazel Bourke.
Up front Aoife Roche, Emma O’Donoghue and Shauna Wilkinson who has now scored in each of her first two games for the club. She is powerful when running with ball at her feet and possesses a wicked right foot. Subs: Kate O’Connor, Ella Killington, Bella Harmon, Siobhan O’Mahony and Emily O’Donoghue all came on and gave great showings.
The majority of the Castleisland AFC team are all underage again next year and this was another great improvement for them with some really strong performances on the day.
Munster Boys U-19 John Murphy Cup
Castleisland Community College 1-2 Millstreet
After a nail biting game in Tralee’s Mounthawk Park AstroTurf on Wednesday and, knowing a draw or a win would mean Castleisland CC would top the group, and a two goal loss would mean elimination from the competition.
Huwever, the 2-1 defeat still meant progression to the last 16 in Munster. A huge achievement and with our new AstroTurf on the way in a few weeks time the skys the limit!
The first half saw Millstreet attacking Castleisland at every opportunity as they knew nothing but a two goal win would do. Against a very strong wind Castleisland held strong at the back and very nearly opened the scoring with a fine cross from Josh Horan nearly meeting the head of the in rushing Eamon Nolan.
Millstreet were extremely unfortunate having hit the post themselves twice in the first half. Castleisland CC took the lead after the break through a Josh Horan free kick helped by a deft step over from Hubert.
Castleisland tired and Millsteet ratcheted up the pressure and scored two fine goals late on, to ensure a tense last five minutes but Castleisland CC held out.
Castleisland CC Team: D.J Fealey, James McDonnell, Joe Sheehy, Mark O’ Donoghue, Kevin Keane, Matthew Broderick, Adam Joy, Eamon Nolan, Eirc O’Sullivan, Hubert, Josh Horan. Subs used: Tommy O’ Regan, Freddie Galwey, Jason Brosnan. Subs not used: Valentino, Jordan Coffey, Liam O’Sullivan, Kevin Lenihan, Charlie Cooke and Alex O’Leary.
New Castleisland AFC Gear Now In Stock!
We are delighted to announce that we are now taking orders for our new sports & leisure clothing range.This is the official club clothing range and they will be available for a limited time only. Manufactured by O’Neill’s, all items come in both male & female sizes. Orders can be placed by contacting the Castleisland AFC Facebook page on messenger. All orders must be placed by November 17th and they will be ready in time for the Christmas period.
Castleisland AFC Astro Turf – Now Taking Bookings
Our fantastic new full size floodlit Astro Pitch will be available to rent by the end of November available to clubs & groups from all codes of sport. We advise that you book your place early as there is a lot of interest in the hours available.
Call or Text Patrick on 087 278 7094 to make a booking.
Happy Birthday Colin
Happy birthday to senior player and U-15 assistant coach Colin McCarthy who celebrated his 21st birthday on Tuesday
Congratulations to Martin ‘Mazza’ Moriarty and Elaine O’Donoghue who were married last Friday hope ye have a wonderful life together.
Players of the Week
Ryan Dennehy who was outstanding for the U15s big win over Mastergeeha where he scored two cracking goals and Jack Joy who celebrated his call up to the Kerry team with a brace for the U-13s
Fixtures
Sunday FAI Junior Cup 2pm. Killeaney/Bally Rovers v Castleisland AFC
Results
Daly’s SuperValu U13s Division1
Mastergeeha 1 v 7 Castleisland AFC Scorers: Jack Joy 2 Finn Nolan Kian Downey Shea Lawless Eoghan Shire and Jack O’Donoghue
Killarney Plaza U-15s Div1
Mastergeeha 2 v 4 Castleisland AFC Scorers: Alex Kepp, Ryan Dennehy (2) and Freddie Galway
Denny Youths League
Castleisland AFC 2 v 5 Tralee Dynamos Scorers: Daniel Kelly (2)
Killarney Woolen Mills U-14 Premier Girls
Listowel Celtic 8-2 Castleisland AFC Scorers: Aoife Roche and Shauna Wilkinson.
You can contact The Maine Valley Post on… Anyone in The Maine Valley Post catchment area who would like to send us news and captioned photographs for inclusion can send them to: jreidy@mainevalleypost.com
Queries about advertising and any other matters regarding The Maine Valley Post can also be sent to that address or just ring: 087 23 59 467.
Please Note: A click on any of our adverts will reveal all you need to know about what our advertisers need to tell you.
Copyright Notice: The images and text which appear on The Maine Valley Post site remain the exclusive property of John Reidy, (unless stated otherwise) and are protected under International Copyright laws. Images or text may not be reproduced, copied, transmitted or manipulated without the written permission of the author, John Reidy, in this instance. Use of any image as the basis for another photographic concept or illustration (digital, artist rendering or alike) is a violation of International Copyright laws. All images are copyrighted by John Reidy 2018.
