Brilliant Ben kills Kevin's challenge

A BRILLIANT young lad called  Ben Ryan was the difference between success and failure as Freebooters qualified for the quarter-final of the Leinster Junior Cup.

 

It was perhaps ironic that a youngster born in Dublin but now living in Kilkenny should get the goals that killed off the Dub challenge.

 

Ben hit home a penalty in the first half and then made it two after the break when he headed home a corner by another top class local player, Craig Wall.

The alarm bells rang when  Eamon Lynch cracked a Kevin's goal late on but there was no way the Blues were going to give away their ticket to the quarter finals of a competition that they have made their own in recent seasons.

The win puts Seanie Doyle's team within clutching distance of the provincial cup that has so often been the centrepiece of Fair Green celebrations.

But true to form, boss Doyle is taking it one step, or indeed one kick, at a time as his team battles for national and provincial glory and is also in line for top local honours.

The Blues do not yet know their opponents in the next round of the Leinster Cup but they do know that they have a tough task on Saturday week when they must travel to Cork to take on Leeside in the FAI Junior Cup.

Sandwiched in between is the small matter of a Pat Maher Shield quarter final date with local rivals Evergreen.

 

Sunday was not a good day for Evergreen as they crashed to East End in the Kilkenny Premier League. Two Sean Falsey goals were enough to give the Bennettsbridge club the points. Robbie Quan replied with Evergreen's only goal of the game.

A lone goal by David Forristal was enough to give Fort Rangers the points at the expense of Thomastown United who are going through a dreadful time.

Evergreen 46 kept the Kells Road flag flying with a comprehensive 7-0 victory over Southend United. The goals were scored by Eoin McCormack (3), Shamie Cummins and Mark Owens, two each.

St Pat's Boys beat Newpark 5-0 but the result was a bit flattering for the Graiguecullen Club. Nearing the end it was 1-0 to the Saints but as Newpark went forward in search of an equaliser they were battered with a four goal salvo. Shane Fitzharris (2), John Dowling, Jamie Moran and John Moore scored for the home team.

 

Freebooters Corner

U12 Match Report
Freebooters 4, Clover United 2
The club U12As came from behind twice to score a 4-2 win over a hardworking Clover United. Clover were very lively up front and they took advantage of poor defending by the Blues to take the lead twice, only to be pulled back with goals from Mark O'Neill and Shane O'Shaughnessy.

'Booters went ahead within a minute of the restart with a goal from Dylan Jordan. Andrew Gaffney capped a fine performance scoring the fourth for the winners.

U12A's are away to Ballincollig (Cork) next Saturday in the National Cup.

U14 Match Report
Freshford Town 4, Freebooters 5
The Fair Green U14s came out on top by the odd goal in a tough physical game against Freshford Town. The Blues were 2-1 up at half time and went on to win 5-4. Scorers: Cian Morton (2), David Kenny (2) and Conor Browne

There will be no Mini-Academy or Soccer Sisters in the Watershed/Scanlon Park next Saturday, February 13.


Happy birthday to Mark O'Neill and Adam Butler.