U11b Boys: Ballinroad 0 – 1 Mooncoin Celtic

Ballinroad started the week a point ahead of us in the table so our penultimate league game was a battle for 5th place.

Killian led the boys out for this one and started the game up front with Kevin.

Mooncoin sat deep at the beginning as the home team pushed forward and a failure to clear our lines resulted in a handball in the box and a penalty to Ballinroad.

The penalty taker struck the ball to the left but Fionn was equal to it and saved brilliantly to deny an opening goal.

A loose header moments later created a clear chance for the seasiders but again Fionn wasn’t to be beaten pushing the ball around the post for a corner.

Moments later however the boys in white went ahead when Killian played a lovely through ball to his strike partner Kevin.

Anyone could be forgiven for thinking the young forward took the ball too far wide until the coolest man on the pitch nonchalantly rolled it past their keeper into the bottom corner before wheeling away in celebration with his teammates.


Mooncoin pressed forward for the remainder of the half with Killian in particular pressing high up the pitch to ensure the Ballinroad defenders had no time on the ball.

Aaron in particular was unlucky with a shot from distance which went just wide of the upright.


The second half began with Cian causing trouble with his pace and Ethan who played some intelligent passes to hold up the ball.


Eoin on the right wing ran his socks off for the cause as did Aaron and Tom in midfield. Tadhg read the game very well with some excellent interceptions and clearances. Sean made one last ditch block to deny a shot from close range. Padraig somehow managed to cover at right back yet break forward at every opportunity.


The last few minutes required fresh legs with James and Charlie crowding out the Ballinroad attack down our left side giving nothing away.

Cian was unlucky not to score at the end as he hit the ball on the spin after great work from Viktor up top. Indeed Cian had his best game of the season and took pressure off his teammates with his running particularly towards the end of the match.


And so the game finished at 1-0 to the visitors. All of the boys can take great heart from this performance going into our last league match away to Villa having now won two from their last four games.

Thanks again to our sponsors at Dragonz Den.