U10 girls played Carrick this morning in lovely sunshine. 14 girls togged out rearing to go and flew out of the traps, hitting the post in the first minute. Carrick were first to score but the young ladies of Mooncoin bounced right back to equalize. Carrick capitalized on our inexperience to run out winners but the improvement was there from the first day for all to see. Well done to all girls and coach Dee Travers for her stirring speech to the girls after the game. Training resumes on Wednesday at 6.

After a two month wait, the older lads finally got a run out. A very slow start by us and we nearly got caught in the first 5 minutes but we eventually got going and started to play ball and the passing and movement was good throughout. A through ball from Scoby put Gerry Walsh through and he didn’t give up on it forcing a mistake and it was 1 nil through a Crusaders og and stayed like that up to half time. Second half kicked off and we kept the ball well and got a second from another mistake through another og. Crusaders got a goal back with a scramble in the box from a corner but we finished stronger and if not for rustiness could have been 4 or 5 to us. Good result after a two month lay off. Good numbers today with 16 available with still a few missing. Credit must be given to this squad who have kept training away even though no games have been scheduled. Next game away to Abbeyside next Sunday, 11am kick off.

Our u11 squad travelled to St Paul’s to play on a cold damp morning and put in a very good display, showing the training sessions are paying dividends. Coaches were very happy afterwards.

A deserving win today in Williamstown, after a one sided first half in which Mooncoin mostly dominated with Aaron, Kieran & Rudi all going close with half chances, 0-0 at half time .
Second half Mooncoin started strongest again with Lee & Robbie now adding to the attack, more half chances came our way but still no break through, with our defence on top DLS were relying on set pieces, and as the clock ticked down a draw looked likely.
Then with 5 minutes left Alan Walsh reacted quickly to a breaking ball on the edge of the DLS box , while holding off a defender Alan managed to get another touch on the ball, which drew the kepper off his line and calmly slotted the ball home with his left foot .
Man of the match was Jack Brennan just ahead of Kyle Kennedy both very strong and committed today.
Best wishes & speedy recovery to Jack Brennan who went off injured in stoppage time. A busy day for Jack who gave up his time this morning to help out with the youngest academy group with their session in Carrigeen and then on to DLS to secure three points. Fingers crossed the injury isn’t too bad.

Tomorrow:

U11 away to St Paul’s, kick off 10.30
Massive numbers keep training regardless of weather with this group with the competitive edge amongst the squad evident in every session.

U13 away to Kilmacow, kick off 12.30
Derek’s squad will be hoping to stop the runaway train that is Kilmacow who are league winners in waiting. A little matter of a cup final defeat to the same opposition last season will surely be mentioned when the team talk takes place.

U15 away to DLS, kick off 2.30
After the 10-1 defeat in their previous game against Kilmacow, this squad shouldn’t need any motivation.

Sunday:
U10 girls away to Carrick, kick off 10.15
This young squad continue their first steps in soccer when they visit Coolnamuck in this non competitive league.

4th division home to Crusaders, kick off 11.00
The older guys in the club have had to wait a massive two months since their last fixture. Fingers crossed they get a run out.

U14 girls home to Tramore, kick off 2.00
After their debut game against the Villa, this talented group face what is sure to be a strong Tramore outfit where the training sessions will hopefully stand to them.

Youths away to Portlaw, kick off 2.00
After last week’s defeat in the FAI youth cup, the lads resume league action when they visit the Paddock in what will be a tricky game. Let’s hope ‘Bibgate’ hasn’t hampered preparations.

Support as always will be most welcome for all seven teams over the weekend.

EVERY DAY FROM
MONDAY NOVEMBER 12TH TO
SATURDAY NOVEMBER 16TH 9.30-1PM
VENUE: CLUB GROUNDS, ASHGROVE
JUST COME ALONG AND DROP OFF YOUR SCRAP.
ALL SCRAP METAL WELCOME: OLD BIKES, CARS, OLD TRAMPOLINES, WASHING MACHINES, ETC.
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Despite the poor conditions in recent days the ashgrove pitch was in immaculate condition and served up a cup cracker this afternoon.

The familiarity between both sides was always going to make for interesting viewing and players and supporters alike were treated to a riproaring battle as soon as the first whistle blew.

The early exchanges were evenly contested all over the pitch and a few early chances went astray on our part .

Ferrybank opened the scoring on 15 mins when a poorly cleared corner was floated back over our defence to the in rushing ferrybank striker who made no mistake with his oppourtunity.

In fairness to the lads they responded brilliantly to the set back and forced the ferrybank defence into conceding numerous corners and free kicks.

The equaliser arrived from a superbly struck corner by Evan Cleary and when it landed in the box Dan Ronayne held off a few defenders to rise highest and nod home.

Ferrybank responded immediately and had us on the back foot with quick counter attacks and got their second when a move up the left saw the ball swept brilliantly across the box and dispatched to the corner despite Darragh getting a hand on it.
1-2 at half time.

A couple of changes at half time gave us renewed energy and we took the game to the opposition for long periods of the half.

A few corners and free kicks into the box went agonisingly close to finding the net but unfortunately this pressure failed to yield a goal.

A good tough cup game where the opposition were just that little bit better over the 90 mins.

Fantastic effort by all involved again today .

Our u9s played their first games of the season yesterday when they visited Kildalton park for a series of games against Piltown. Goals galore in the four matches that took place. Big thanks to Piltown for hosting us.

Getting up and out to play is never easy, going out to play when it’s been raining for days even less so, but going out to play when the whole of the junior league programme has been called off for the weekend…. well that takes heart and dedication and this u12 girls team have it spades.

The girls headed towards Kilmedan for their first match at this level, with a kind invite from Ballyduff, to play a friendly and came away with a fantastic 6-4 win and smiles as wide as the Comeragh mountains.

Things didn’t start off to well, going a goal down but it wasn’t too long before the ever energetic Emily popped in a low drive to make it 1-1.

It is now that a ding-dong of match really started as Mooncoin went 2-1 up (Emily 😎 then in a flash it was 2-2. Then 3-2 (Emily 😎 and straight back came Ballyduff 3-3.

Half time came and all the girls huddled under 2 large golf umbrellas, laughing at the meer thought that the match would be abandoned.Wind, rain, cold who cares let’s get going for the 2nd half.

And not long after the tip off Mooncoin are 4-3 up (Emily) and now we see a strong Mooncoin defense hold firm Eimear Quinn getting in front of every attack, Ella Bailey clearing, and clearing again with Sadbh tracking every move of the dangerous and tricky No. 8 from Ballyduff.

Roaming across the midfield and no word of a lie covering every blade of grass was Caoimhe Hartwell, she tracked down everything not letting a thing get past her in midfield and then bursting into attack from midfield was Ella Brennan with get Coin up the field again.

After a few scares Ballyduff made it 4-4 and nearly went 5-4 up but for a great save from Mia. Then after a few passes exchanged between Erin Quinn and Anna Tolan on the right which moved the ball towards the left where Ella Brennan was determined to get forward, she broke a few tackles and burst forward, hit a pass to Emily who got it back to Ella on the edge of the box and once the goal was in sight Ella slotted the ball home from a tight angle. 5-4 Mooncoin!!!

It was now that Caoimhe came into her own blocking everything in midfield and sure enough this blocking lead to another Mooncoin attack with Emily Blackmore executing a great strike to hit the back of the net again.

It was rainbow time in the sky as the sun broke through, with the pot of gold being Mooncoin Celtic U12 girls team.

Big thanks to all the parents for braving the weather and to the great hosts Ballyduff who accommodated all the late requests.

Today, U14 away to Abbeyside postponed

All junior league games off this weekend other than junior and FAI Youth cup

Tomorrow: FAI Youth cup, Mooncoin Celtic home to Ferrybank, kick off 2pm.

After a few weeks break, this squad will hope to continue their good form when ‘A’ league Ferrybank come for what will be a good test.