Our U13’s squad took on Top of the table and unbeaten to date Kilmacow in Cold Wintery conditions in Ashgrove in the big South Kilkenny Derby . With Gaffer Derek Tebay away this weekend, Thomas O Brien and Catherine Blackmore stood up to the plate with a game plan and attempted to take the game to Top of the Table Kilmacow . Playing with the wind in the first half , we knew we needed a solid first half performance .The game started with both teams trying to get on top , with Kilmacow pushing foward early on to place a marker for the pace of the game. Mooncoin back four of Mike O Keeffe , Paddy Dermody, Ciara O Keeffe and Anthony Dunphy all stood strong and were not willing to give an inch and we tried to push the ball foward into our own half and see what opportunity might come our way. The pace of Stephen Brennan in the middle of the pitch was instrumental in getting the ball forward with Eoin O Callaghan and Mikie Cronin contesting every ball , our chance came in the 23rd minute when Mooncoin were awarded a corner. Eoin O Callaghan took the kick with Sherwan and Jason Ryan as the intended targets .He sent a beauty of a ball in that required any contact at all to finish to the net. The ball made contact with a Kilmacow defender and finished to the net . 1/nil Mooncoin . Mooncoin saw out the first half with Kilmacow having a couple of chances at an equalizer denied by quick thinking Keeper Jake Moore . At half time we knew that the second half would prove difficulty as we would be playing against a strong wind and the Kilmacow side that would be out to equalize and take control as quickly as possible. We started the second half full of belief with Ben O Hanlon breaking onto a lovely ball and pushing foward with Jason and Sherwan only to be denied by a vigilant Kilmacow defence . Both teams having a few chances in the second half and not being able to capitalize . The break came from Mooncoin when we were awarded another corner. Stephen Brennan sent the ball in … Sherwan was positioned to take a shot but an ever ready Jason Ryan got to the Ball and chipped it past the Kilmacow Keeper . The introduction of Emily Blackmore and Daniel Roberts rejuvenated tired legs and kept the play moving foward. Will Cudihy and Eoin Mcgrath came in to strengthen the defence . The lads saw the last 10 mins out determined not to let the lead slip and cleared any and every ball in their path. Every Mooncoin clearance in the dying minutes was met with loud cheers and encouragement from the parents and support on the line . This win meant the world to the kids , the coaches and the parents . And proudest of All was gaffer Derek Tebay who kept in touch for every minute of the Game…. Superb Performance all round with an excellent clean sheet for Jake aswell.

Our u11s travelled to play De la Salle in cold conditions but put in magnificent performances in both games with goals aplenty flying in.

Great win today in the cold & windy Alaska Park, hat tricks from Kieran, Rudi & 1 from debut Tom Conway. Put the game beyond Kilmac, a terrific squad performance well done all. Man of the match Kieran Fagan

A fitter and livelier Dunmore ran riot today with our boys conceding five for the second week in a row. Red Star await next weekend.

Today:
U11 away to DLS,
Kick off 10.30
U13 home to Kilmacow,
Kick off 12.30
U15 away to Kilmac,
Kick off 2.30
2A home to Dunmore,
Kick off 2.00
U14 Girls away to Ballyduff,
Kick off 3.30

Sunday:
U10 girls home to Carrick,
Kick off 10.30
4th division away to DLS,
Kick off 11.00
Youths home to Ballinroad,
Kick off 2.00

A busy weekend ahead with 8 teams in action. Best of luck to all teams and please support all teams if possible.

Difficult start to 2019 for the under 14s with a frustrating defeat. Numbers were down today which didn’t help us. We were well on top for all of the first half and created many chances which we just didn’t take and unfortunately went in at the break 0-0… we came out in the second half and everything went wrong from the off. Villa punished us twice after two mistakes and the game was only heading once direction after that. Villa scored again before we hit home from a penalty. We had two or three chances late on but Villa put it to bed with a fourth.. very hard to gain confidence from a few games lost that we should done more in but luck is not something we have at the moment. One thing we do have is plenty of determination so it’s back to training Monday night and onto the next game because there are lots more points to play for and the performances every week are deserved of a good run… heads up and well done to everyone.

Tomorrow:
U12 away to Tramore, 10.30 kick off
U14 home to Villa,
12.30 kick off
2A home to Piltown,
2pm kick off
4th Division away to Dungarvan,
3.30 kick off
Best of luck to all teams and support for all teams would be most welcome.