U16 SFAI National Cup 1/4 Final
Carrigaline Unied 4-1 Bridge United
Ballea Park, Carrigaline
March 26th

A disappointing day for our u16s as their interest in this year's National Cup comes to an end as they succumbed to a very good Carrigaline United side.

A nervy and scrappy opening 10mins saw the home side gain the advantage when a cross wasn't cleared and kindly broke to the Carrigaline 10 to smash home from close range much to the delight of the big home crowd.

Strangely that goal seemed to settle our boys and we took control of possession for the remainder of the half. First to try his luck was Aidan Moloney who's 25 yard drive took the paint off the crossbar. It was Moloney again on 33mins, this time another long range curling effort saved by the keeper.

Darragh Hayes and Marcus Joyce both had good opportunities just before the break but truth be told the Carrigaline keeper was comfortable dealing with both.

On a rare foray in to the Bridge box just on the stroke of half time we had Mikey Morey to thank as his block took the ball on to the post and away for a corner. Finn Murphy collected the resulting cross as the whistle blew for half time.

It was Carrigaline that came flying out of the blocks in the second half firing a warning shot of intent as Finn Murphy made a great save with his feet.

2 minutes later, we didn't have the same luck however as a ball slipped through found the centre forward, this time making no mistake tucking the ball under Murphy.

Chances on both ends dried up following the second goal. Both side defending well with Jack Phelan, Mike Morey and Niall Liddane a match for whatever came their way in this period after half time.

Wing backs Ben Maxwell and Callum Phelan keeping their opponents quiet and breaking forward on transition.

A half chance for Jack O Halloran the only highlight, lifting the ball over the keeper only to be denied by the covering defence.

15mins to go and Niall Moloney was inches from finding the target at the back post following a O Halloran cross from the right.

With a change of shape we gambled and chased the goal we needed leaving big gaps at the back, with 2mins left on the clock Carrigaline scored a third, a fourth arrived 2 mins in to injury time following a wonderful solo goal.

Niall Liddane up for a corner volleyed home a consolation for us a minute later before the final whistle rang out.

The step up in class from the previous round, as expected, was apparent but we were more than matched the Cork outfit for long long periods.

The 4-3-3 shape of Carrigaline deployed a wide front 2 and a central striker, this pinned in our wing backs and negated their usual influence.

On the contrary, when we did win possession, especially evident in the opening 40mins, we had a 5v3 overload in midfield and looked dangerous but unfortunately this was usually from a deeper starting position against a well marshalled back four in yellow.

This saw Aidan Moloney, Jack and Matthew O Halloran particularly prominent in this period.

The days out this team have given us have been fantastic, they owe us nothing. They battled manfully from the first whistle to the last. We are unbelievably proud of this bunch. It may feel like the end of the world but in reality it's only the beginning.

Finally, a word to the management of Pa O Halloran, Vinny Coghlan and Corey Phelan, you've been exemplary with this group, your passion and commitment is etched across every one of those players today.
Onwards and upwards, we'll go again.