Youghal United AFC

Munster Senior League

1st Division

Youghal United 2 – 0 College Corinthians

After last weeks disappointing 3 – 0 away loss to Tramore Athletic, Youghal United had to regroup and refocus this week for the league leaders College Corinthians. As it was last week Youghal had a few out with injury and guys who couldn’t be there because of work commitments. We were down to the bare minimum again but credit to the lads they got stuck in there from the off. We wanted to make Ardrath Park a difficult place for away teams this season and I think we sent out that message after sending the top side home empty handed.

Corinthians started the better finding plenty of space and passing the ball freely. It wasn’t until they arrived at the Youghal United penalty box that the home side dealt with them and took the ball off them. Slowly the midfield got to grips with the pace of the game at which College exerted on them. We started putting passes together and stretching them a little. Mossie Clohesy and Paul Hennessy were a torn in the defence side throughout the game giving their back four no time on the ball. All that pressure paid off when Mossie was put through on goal took one touch and drove the ball pass the outrushing keeper into the far corner. This exercise was practiced in training the night before and it was good to see it come off on the pitch.

The lads sat back a little and let College play again until they came around the box where challenges were put in and a good defensive unit of Diarmuid Shuel, Anthony Kelly, John Brennan and Conor O’ Sullivan dealt with everything thrown at them. The away side resorted to long range efforts and over hit through balls. Half time 1-0.

We went in at half time and spoke of the fact we were giving too much possession away and if we could hold onto the ball a bit more it would relief some pressure on our back four. We knew our opponents would start the second half bright and we were up to the challenge. Youghal grew in confidence and had a couple of decent efforts on goal. At the other end David Kearns kept Youghal’s lead in tact with some fine keeping, shot stopping and under high balls. This was a battle to the death and Youghal’s energy and persistence paid off when Mossie got on the score sheet again with minutes left. He went at the College defence and was taken down by the keeper but no whistle from the referee as we were all looking for penalty claims but to Mossie’s credit he got straight back up and tapped in for a two nil win. The boys saw out the remainder of the half to record their first victory of the season against a very good side. Things were so tight and close we couldn’t make any changes, Barry and David understood and to their credit were behind the boys all the way. This will send out a message to the league that away teams will get nothing easy when they come to Youghal United.

Team: D. Kearns, D. Sheul, A. Kelly, J. Brennan, C. O’Sullivan, D. Savage, D. Hennessy, S. Kenneally, A. Hennessy, P. Hennessy, M. Clohesy. Subs not used: D. O’Keeffe, B. Smith.

Report: Anthony Horgan

Munster Senior League

1st Division

Tramore Athletic 3 – Youghal Utd 0

Youghal travelled to Cork on Sunday morning last to play Tramore Athletic in the 1st division of the senior league and came away empty handed after a 3-0 defeat. This was Youghal’s first league game of the campaign. Youghal travelled with a much depleted squad on the day due to injuries and suffered as a result. It could have been so different on the day if Youghal had converted some of the chances that they did have.

Youghal started the brighter and should have been in front after two minutes when a defender got back to clear a Brendan O’Sullivan shot off the line when it looked a certain goal, after Brendan had managed to get around the keeper and shooting from a tight angle. Youghal went close again twice within the first fiftheen minutes but couldn’t find the net. As the game went on Tramore came into it more and punished Youghal on 28 minutes with a shot from the edge of the box, after they failed to clear from a free. Tramore made it two on 37 minutes with a shot again from the same area that saw Youghal keeper David Kearns unsighted through a crowded area.

Youghal who had only one fit sub on the day battled hard throughout the game and into the second half were playing the better football, as Tramore played long ball after long ball. Again some chances came and went as Youghal failed to find the target. Having the one sub showed the lack of strength in depth on the day. It showed as Youghal had to make an enforced change ten minutes into the second half with David ‘O Keefe coming on for the injured Shane Ryan. That meant Youghal couldn’t freshen things up any more for the remainder of the game and tactically options were thin on the ground.

In fairness to the Youghal lads they kept the pressure on Tramore and had two one on ones with the keeper but again failed to hit the target. A long ball over the top with four minutes remaining saw Youghal’s keeper challenge and clear the ball but somehow the referee decided to blow for a free. He then pointed to the spot, with virtually everyone seeing it was outside the box. Very harsh on Youghal on the day, as Tramore made it 3-0. The lads did well on the day, but hopefully in the coming week some of the injuries will clear up as Youghal host College Corinthians on Friday night in Youghal.

The fact that Youghal have moved up a division and with so many new players added to the squad it will be a tough season. If everyone can stick together and put in the work required the lads will have every chance of holding their status this season.

Team:

David Kerans, Dairmuid Shuel, Brendan O’Sullivan, Anthony Kelly, Paul Kelly, Alan Hennessey, Conor  O’Sullivan, Paul Hennessey, Shane Ryan, Sean Kenneally, Daniel Savage, David O’Keefe

Ken Dempsey, Paul Moylan, Darren Hennessy and Sean Kenneally toured the classes of Bun-Scoil Mhuire and Gaelscoil Chorain showing off the Munster Senior cup recently won at Turner’s Cross with a 2-1 win over St. Mary’s. A thank you to both schools, who welcomed Youghal United with open arms and the biggest cheer of the day came when the students received a night of NO homework.

Youghal United senior team amongst award winners at the recently held MSL awards night at Murphy’s Brewery in Cork on Wed 10th June. A delegate team in the line of Paul Moylan, Sean Kenneally and Anthony Horgan went along on the night to represent the club and captain Paul Moylan accepted the award from Michael Foley MSL disciplinary and Beamish Stout representative Ger Cooke. A great night had by all and it was even more special to be up there on the night receiving the award when the likes of Rockmount and Avondale were receiving their awards. It’s were the club aspires to be winning league’s , cups and capping the season off by being recognised by the Munster Senior League.

Report: Anthony Horgan

Youghal United 2 – 1 St. Mary’s

Ken Dempsey
Michael John Hennessy

Sunday 31st May 2009 will go down as one of the most successful days in the club’s history as the senior team recorded an unbelievable victory over fancied side St.Mary’s of Kilcully in Cork city. For a change I am not going to do the customary minute by minute match report, instead I am going to talk about the occasion itself. As you can see from the league standings below there is a huge difference in league placings between the two sides. Youghal United went into this game as total underdogs and to be honest we didn’t really expect to be taking part but for another great win against Douglas Hall in the semi-final.

The build up to this tie had St. Mary’s winning this final by a distance only for Youghal to throw a spanner in the works and stun the city team with two first half goals by team captain on the day Ken Dempsey and what was to be the winner by Michael John Hennessy. Youghal were under the cosh for the whole entire second half only for some fine defending by Paul Kelly, Anthony Kelly , Ken Dempsey and Sean Kenneally and of course super goal keeping by David Kearns with a fine penalty save for good measure. Deservedly so David Kearns went on to pick up the man of the match award which was later presented to him at Bertie’s bar!

The Beamish cup is in circulation since 1937 and it was the first time a MSL side outside of the city boundaries won this cup. It is normally contested and won by premier division sides so for Youghal United to win it from division 2 is unheard of. A great credit is due to the management team of Mick Durkin and Liam Ryan, the squad of David Kearns, Paul Kelly, Anthony Kelly, Ken Dempsey, Sean Kenneally, Chris Hennessy, Alan Hennessy, Darren Hennessy, Brendan O’ Sullivan, Shane Ryan and Michael John Hennessy. Subs used Robert Cronin, Steven Fraser and Mossie Clohesy.

This was truly a squad performance on the day as the lads that were introduced played a huge part in the final moments. It is a day to remember for many a year as Youghal United beat a well fancied side under souring temperatures at Turners Cross and of course cheered on all the way by the huge support who travelled on the day.

All in all a terrific season for the club with the seniors gaining promotion to division 1 and winning the Munster senior cup. The under 16 girls won their league also which was a great achievement by them. In addition the Senior team won a fair play award from the Munster Senior League.

Report: Anthony Horgan

Douglas Hall 1 – 2 Youghal United

Brendan O’ Sullivan

Shane Ryan

Not many people gave Youghal a hope in this massive tie away to Premier division side Douglas Hall. Let’s put Douglas Hall into context they have enjoyed a good run in the FAI cup this season, beat Rockmout twice and finished third in the premier league behind winners Avondale and second place Rockmount. We are currently 19 league places behind them and could not possible expect to get anything from the game. A respectable score line is all we could have hoped for but at the end of the day it was a cup tie and anything can happen.

Youghal United went up to Cork on Friday 22nd May with nothing to lose after capturing second place in division two to be promoted. This would have been the icing on the cake and it turned out that way. Youghal took the lead when Brendan O’ Sullivan scored inside ten minutes. Douglas came back at us and were on level terms after 20 mins.

The home side enjoyed plenty of possession playing the ball in front of the Youghal midfield although a lot of chasing was involved Douglas Hall rarely got to penetrate the Youghal back four. With the game heading towards extra time up stepped young Shane Ryan to hammer the ball home and put Youghal United into a senior cup final next Sunday 31st May.

What a great season the lads had with being promoted and getting to a senior cup final against St.Mary’s another premier division side. Well done to all involved.

Report: Anthony Horgan

Youghal United 3 – 1 College Corinthians

Michael John Hennessy x 2

Shane Ryan

Youghal ran out winners in this tricky tie at home on Friday 18th May to division 1 side College Corinthians. After accounting for Carrigaline in the previous round Youghal again had another first division side to contend with. The lads started the better and put pressure on the away side early on. United kept the ball and knocked it around very well , Brendan O’ Sullivan was a thorn in the opposition side throughtout. Youghal found themselves one up mid way through the first half when Michael John Hennessy broke the offside to slot the ball home. A lead that they deserved and one they protected to the half time break.

Youghal started the second half as they finished the first showing some slick passing and playing really well. College rarely threatened the Youghal goal and that has to be down to the terrific layout and balance in the side. Twenty minutes into the half and Youghal extended their lead with a fine finish from substitute Shane Ryan after some good work down the left by Brendan O Sullivan. You would think this was game over but it seemed to spur on the away side who were enjoying more possession and putting Youghal under attack.

They had balls go narrowly wide and some good saves by David Kearns. Eventually with ten minutes to go they got a goal and with the scare at 2-1 it was going to be a nervous finish. To Youghal’s credit they did hold out to keep college at bay and at the death had another goal from M.J Hennessy.

This sees Youghal with a huge task away to Douglas Hall but these are the games we want to be involved in.

Shane Keohane presents a set of jerseys and a cheque to Mick Durkin manager of the senior team. Shane has come on board for two years and his generous sponsorship will help the club to move forward. Thanks again!

Photo:Damien O’Brien (secretary), Sammy Revins (Chairman), Shane Keohane (Shane Keohane Scaffolding), Mick Durkin (Manager),Anthony Horgan (PRO). Pictures kindly taken by Michael Hussey of www.youghalonline.com

Youghal United 2 – 0 Ballinhassig.

Scorers:M.J.Hennessy , A.Hennessy.

Report: Anthony Horgan. Pictures Michael Hussey (www.youghalonline.com)

On Sunday 19th April Youghal United’s senior team won promotion to the MSL division 1 with a 2-0 home win against promotion rivals Ballinhassig. With the lads drawing away earlier in the week to Glasheen 3-3 this game was going to be a cliff hanger. Ballinhassig came to Youghal knowing that a win for them would clinch the promotion spot while we knew a least a draw would be good enough.

With all this in mind Youghal were not sitting back and settling for a draw , they played some good football and attacked the opposition at every opportunity. Youghal got the opener 30mins in through a Michael John Hennessy penalty kick. This put more pressure on the away side although they were unlucky just before the half time whistle when David Kearns denied them an equaliser.

Youghal came out for the second half a bit flat and the Ballinhassig lads sensed this as they attacked for the first 10mins. With a series of corner kicks and last ditch defending the back four of Paul Kelly, Ken Dempsey , Paul O Driscoll and Anthony Kelly stood firm and dealt with everything thrown at them. At the other end veteran Alan Hennessy put the game to bed with Youghal’s second , a cracking left legged shot low into the corner and the crowd went mad.

Youghal saw out the remainder of the game with ease and when the final whistle blew the celebrations began. A couple of refreshments were enjoyed later in “Bertie’s bar” . Well done to all involved the players , Mick Durkin and Liam Ryan who took charge of the team. We all know we can compete in Division 1 as we knocked out a couple of teams in cup competition recently. Lets enjoy this victory and worry about the rest next season.