Castleisland Comunity College won the U-15 FAI Munster Soccer Championship for small schools when defeating Presentation Secondary School, Ballingarry at Douglas Hall, Cork on Thursday.
A team from the school also won the small schools U-14 FAI Munster Soccer Championship last year making it two in a row.
Coach Aidan Joy said that it was a fantastic win with an outstanding performance and Aaron McCarthy was named Man of the Match with Jamie Nolan scoring the winning goal.
The team will now play Grange Community College, Donaghmede, Dublin in the All Ireland Semi-Final later this month.
On Astro Turf in Tough Conditions
The game was played on Astro Turf at Douglas Hall AFC, Cork in tough conditions with a heavy mist being driven by a gale wind.
It made for very cagey proceedings early on and the game was end to end with both sides going close while bringing great physicality to affairs in the first half.
Upon the restart Castleisland went close with a Glen O’Sullivan effort that was sent across the box by Jamie Nolan and blasted over the bar from close range.
Presentation Ballingarry then went down the field and after a defensive mix up their striker tried to round the keeper but Ciaran Ryan recovered well in the Castleisland goal to smoother the ball.
Nolan’s Cool Finish
Jamie Nolan, who was a threat all day, was found at the back post and despite close attention from three defenders got his shot away and scored with a cool finish.
Castleisland held on despite Ballingarry’s best efforts one of which Ciaran Ryan had to be at his best to go full stretch to pull off a great save. Best for Castleisland were Ciaran Ryan in goal, Aaron McCarthy, man of the match; Glen O’Sullivan and Jamie Nolan.
A special mention to Divanes Volkswagen Kerry for their sponsorship of the team jerseys. We are very grateful to them for kindly providing these very smart and comfortable jerseys.
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.
