Under 18’s Boys Soccer
Once again, the large group of young men seeking selection for the Under 18’s Soccer team, placed a welcome pressure upon coach, Mr Horseman. After an extended trial period, the first match was a Cup fixture against St Vincents’.
This was a game that, from a coaching point of view, was not wanted as your first match. Against a much more fancied opposition, boasting national representatives, the Coolmine team performed most admirably but eventually fell in a 4-2 defeat. It was the grit and determination of the players that was very pleasing, as the team had actually sunk to 3-nil at one stage.
The first league match was against Moyle Park. Nobody seemed to have much information regarding this team but hopes were high at going 1-nil up at a relatively early stage. Some major blunders in key areas however, set us on the back foot and in a massive turn around, where heads dropped, Moyle Park came away with a 3-1 win.
Our second fixture was against Scoil Dara in Kilcock. In a game marred by refereeing controversy, the team suffered another defeat, again despite playing some very enterprising and entertaining football.
This left it all to play for in our final League match against our old rivals, Cholaiste Chiaran of Leilip. This was a great game played by two very competitive teams. It took some time, but after Cathal Doyle, acting goal keeper, saved a penalty after a questionable challenge, Declan Quinn was able to convert a penalty decision down our attacking end. This seemed to open the flood gates and Coolmine went on to dominate the game and came away 3-nil winners.