St. Mary's A.F.C.

U16 Divison 3

St. Marys A 3
Springfield A 2

A damp lunchtime kick off in Kilcully saw the home team who are unbeaten in 2 and a half years in the league at home and still on for back to back league wins take on a Springfield team that put a spanner in the works to the saints title charge with a 3-2 win at home last weekend.
With a few injuries Marys went into the game with only 14 players but to say these boys fight for the badge is an understatement.
Marys really took the game to the springers for the first 30 mins and somehow just couldn't find the back of the net. Dean Quinn, Shay Oosterloo and Isaac Boyd with the best of the early chances for the home team.
The game got a bit heated towards the half hour mark as these 2 teams usually have alot of heated encounters as both teams have won the last 2 leagues with the other team runners up and on 32 mins Sean Murphy played a delightful pass only for a springers player to dive in with studs showing as leave his mark on sean . The ref had no other option straight red for the Cobh player.
Marys pushed for a lead before the break but a mix up in midfield saw the Springfield strike force waltz into the box and a late mistimed challenge saw Springfield get a penalty totally against the run of play.
The striker made no mistake and just before the break it was 1-0 Springfield and the saints where now out of the title race.
The lads came in at half time and they were told keep doing what ye are doing as they were so unlucky to be trailing.
Marys again forced the play from the start of the 2nd half and went for it. They went 3 at the back as they knew nothing but a win would do.
But 16 mins into the 2nd half when Marys pushed for the equaliser Springfield broke and made it 2-0.
But again the fighting spirit this team shows is incredible and knew they had 25 mins to save there season.
Jake O Gorman and Joshua Marshall pushed the team up the field for the middle of the pitch and with 20 mins ta go Dana Varani broke from the right and won a throw in line with the 6 yard box. He immediately took the throw and found the feet of Dean Quinn who muscled his way pass 2 defenders and beat the keeper 2-1.
Then on 25 mins the ball fell to Joshua Marshall on the half volley and his inch perfect pass from 40 yards found the unrushing Dean to piledrive a great header home 2-2.
The the bravest moment of the game came when the Springfield player rounded the keeper on the edge of the box and sent his shot towards the top corner only for Shane Dineen to throw himself at the ball when it look destined for the top corner , an unbelievable clearance and Shane collided head first with the post.
Marys pushed forward with the energetic Shay and he won a corner and Isaac wiped in a great ball and Shane met it perfectly at the back post to this time put it into the net. The whole team celebrated as they knew it put the league back in there own hands.
Stephen Brown was very unlucky when he broke from the middle late on and him and Daniel Fahy where unlucky not to make it 4-2.
Marys played out the last 10 mins to win 3-2.
All 14 players put in an unbelievable effort the never say die attitude that they have was clear to see. Jack o Callaghan had a quiet game on goal and is distribution was impeccable, Cathal Roche, Sam Gubbins and Cian Barry played very well.
Jake, Josh and Sean covered every blade of grass in the middle of the park and Dean got another 2 goals that's 4 games in a row with 2 goals.
But man of the match was Shane Dineen who is back to his brilliant best after carrying a few injuries lately. He was absolutely immense. From almost giving himself a concussion keep the ball out of net to going up the other end of the pitch and getting the winner hes truly back to his best.
Saints March on and back to back titles still a real possibility. There never say die attiude and there willingness to play to the last whistle could yet prove vital in this very close title race.
Final score in Kilcully
Saints 3
Springers 2.
🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍🖤🤍

Congrats to former Saint Aaron and Ciara Forde on the birth of their son Benji all the way over in NYC ⚫️⚪️

U15 Founders Cup Semi Final. Saints away to Bandon . Our lads chasing their first final appearance as a team, and were in for a real tough battle. First half was very tight and cagey, with both defences on top . Into the 2nd half and we upped the tempo, and started creating more . And when Isaacs corner created havoc in the box, the ball finally fell to Ben, and he stuck it away , to put us one up. The lads kept the levels up and we created more chances , but we couldn't get that 2nd goal . Final score was 1 nil and a well deserved a place in the final for us . All 13 players were brilliant. Shane and David had solid games ,but man of the match and captain on the night was Zach, who never stopped all game . One more game for promotion and a cup final also for these lads now ⚫️⚪️⚽️

Another great result today from our U 11s, winning 6-1 with some brilliant goals scored throughout. Massive performances all over the pitch from the defenders, midfielders and strikers, along with both keepers who were excellent when called upon. The lads looked sharp, strong and full of energy from start to finish.

Our Seniors have been drawn away to last year’s winners in the Quarter Final of the FAI Intermediate Cup 💪

A massive contest for our Juniors tonight at Mary’s Park.

First vs Second.

If Lakewood avoid defeat, they’re champions. If we win, we go level on points and set up a play-off for a title decider 👀

Best of luck lads 🤍🖤

A big shout out to all the kids that participated in Cork City Sports today representing their schools .
Ye should be so happy and proud of what ye achieved. A special mention to Bryan that successfully defended his county championship. Winning 2 years in a row and been called the fastest 11 year old is an unbelievable achievement. Congratulations.

Our Seniors bowed out of the Beamish Cup tonight after an incredible 3-3 draw ended in penalty heartbreak against Midleton.

The visitors took an early lead from a corner and doubled their advantage just before the hour mark, leaving us with a mountain to climb.

We were handed a lifeline in the 86th minute when Colm Murphy rose highest to flick a corner into the top corner. However, Midleton responded almost immediately to restore their two-goal lead and seemingly put the game beyond reach.

But our lads refused to give in. Deep into injury time, Sean Lennon picked out Dan Ryan at the back post and the defender thundered a powerful volley into the back of the net to make it 3-2. Then, in the 95th minute, a long throw from Lennon was flicked on by Cian McCarthy and who else but Colm Murphy arrived to smash home the equaliser.

Extra time came and went with both sides unable to find a winner, meaning penalties would decide it. Both teams showed incredible composure from the spot but Midleton eventually edged the shootout 8-7 to book their place in the final.

Heartbreak for our lads after an unbelievable comeback, but a performance full of spirit and character right to the very end. Best of luck to Midleton in Saturday’s final 🤝

IT’S MATCHDAY

Our Seniors host Midleton in the semi final of the Beamish Cup 💪

U15 Founders Cup ,last 8..

saints home to Lakewood on a beautiful Monday evening, The lads started on the front foot and created 2 or 3 big chances, which we should have taken. We had to wait until the 20th minute, when Issac let fly from outside the box and chipped the keeper, to make it 1 nil, which our performance deserved in the first half. 2nd half was scrappy , as we never got going, as Lakewood looked for an equaliser. But out of nowhere Tiernan made it 2 nil, with a rocket on his left foot ,after Isaac set him up. And not long after Isaac made it 3. After a great ball by Sam, he finished brilliantly with a guided header into the bottom corner . Lakewood pulled one back late on, but our lads held on,and got a deserved win and place in the semi finals. Daniel and Shane, were solid throughout and Tiernan on the wing too, Isaac with 2 goals and an assit had anther brilliant match for us , but man of the match was James, who was outstanding all match.
Another great win and all 14 boys contributed on the night.