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