Carrigaline Lions Club

GIGANTIC FIGHT BACK ENDS IN PENALTY SHOOT OUT ….

On Sunday 28th October at Ballea Park, Carrigaline played Fermoy in the U14 Lions Club Cup. Carrigaline looked dead and buried coming up to half time when they were 3-0 down. However, this team which has shown great fighting spirit in previous games with a never say die attitude, again proved their mettle as they came back superbly and almost pulled off what would have been an incredible victory had they not been denied by the lottery of a penalty shoot out.

The game started well for both teams with Fermoy scoring their first goal after 10 minutes and went 2-0 up after 20 minutes. Fermoy were excellent in using their height advantage at the front and continued to move the ball well from the middle of the pitch. Carrigaline were further punished with 5 minutes to half-time when a firmly placed pass split the Carrigaline defence and had Fermoy one on one with the Carrigaline keeper Barry O’Sullivan. O’Sullivan went down well and blocked the first shot with an excellent save only for the ball to bounce unkindly to the foot of a Fermoy forward who cooly slotted the ball home to make it 3-0. Fermoy must have thought they were home and dry at that stage. However, they underestimated the fighting spirit of this Carrigaline side and within a couple of minutes, Carrigaline pulled one back courtsey of Kevin Conlon who struck a superb shot from the edge of the Fermoy box.

The second half belonged mostly to Carrigaline. Within 5 minutes, an excellent goal from Carrigaline player of the match, Keith Roche, made it 3-2. A fourth goal for Fermoy 5 minutes later would have finished most teams but with enough time on their side and plenty of self belief, Carrigaline fought back and controlled the game from then on. They were rewarded with a third goal when substitute Brian Curran connected with the ball from a corner and slotted the ball home. Carrigaline continued to press and with a few minutes to go, Brian Curran beat the Fermoy defence on the left to feed Kevin Kavanagh who shot clear into the Fermoy net for the equaliser. What a comeback!

Both teams went into extra time with tired legs and it proved a stalemate to the end with the better chances going to Carrigaline. Penalties loomed and despite their great team spirit, it was not to be for Carrigaline as they lost out 4-3.

The display from both teams was superb with a great approach and attidude that contributed to a wonderful match. Great displays for Carrigaline were given by Stephen Brophy, Stephen Dwane and Eoin Moynihan and manager Barry Sisk has a team to be proud of.