AUL 1B Reports
Thursday 21st August, St. John Bosco's, AUL 1B, Slatty Park.
The first game of the season proved to be the usual battle with the team from Waterrock. Carrig should have won it, but in the end were lucky to score an equaliser in the dying minutes.
The game started brightly and Carrig took control early on. Within 2 mins the first chance of the game fell to Stephen Kidney, sent through by Leonard Healy, but the striker's shot across the goal went narrowly wide. Cian McSweeney had a good chance 10 mins later, but failed to get enough on Stephen Kidney's cross to direct it on goal. The home side continued to dominate the first half with Bosco's threat limit to set pieces. Stephen Kidney had another chance before the break, but again the shot narrowly missed the far post
Bosco's became more dangerous in the second half as Carrig pushed on and eventually they got their break. A corner from the right was headed goalwards from close range, Carrig keeper Brain Kidney did well to bat the ball back out but only for it to land on the head of a Bosco's player, who scored from 2 yards. With over 20 mins to go Carrig changed formation from 4-4-2 to 3-4-3, Kerry O'Mahony replacing Cormac Carroll. There were plenty chances created by both side with both hitting the crossbar from corners, but Carrig had to wait until the last 2 mins for their deserved equaliser. A ball from the right wing caused confusion in the defence and the Bosco's defender headed the ball straight into the path of Davy Barry. From 12 yards out Barry struck it well across the keeper for Carrig's opening goal of the season. Carrig pushed for the winner in the last few minutes, but referee Sean Barry blew up to end the game level 1-1.
Team - Brian Kidnay, Cormac Carroll, Sean Madden(c), Alan Walsh, Derrick Nolan, Ian O'Donghue, Shane Kennedy, Leonard Healy, Davy Barry, Stephen Kidney and Cian McSweeney.
Subs - Conor Healy, Niall Kidney (for Ian O'Donghue 89m), Paul Nolan, Kerry O'Mahony (for Cormac Carroll 70m), Darren Sylvester, Liam Barry and Nielus Murphy.
Sunday 31st August, Ballintotis, AUL 1B, Slatty Park.
Carrig's second game of the season brought a welcome win and clean sheet against Ballintotis, on a very hot August Sunday morning at Slatty Park.
After the last result, Carrig need a win to get their season going and started very strongly. Cian McSweeney controlled well in the box but with only the keeper to beat from close range, his shot went narrowly wide of the far post. The first half saw plenty of action, particularly in the Ballintotis box. Carrig had some great chances to score with their Captain Sean Madden having 3 good opportunities from corners alone. Stephen Kidney and Ian O''Donghue were also causing the visitors problems down both wings. Ballintotis broke away a few times and Carrig had keeper Brian Kidney to thank for making some good saves to keep the game level. The break through eventually came, 2 minutes before the break. McSweeney controlling the ball 12 yards out and firing in off the far post with his left foot.
The second half was dominated by Carrig as their fitness and squad size told. Leonard Healy scored the goal of the game just after the break to put Carrig 2 up. Cian McSweeney ran at the Ballintotis defence and then laid the ball back to Davy Barry, who fed Healy on the edge of the box. Healy dragged the ball on to his favorite left foot and hammered it into the roof of the net from the edge of the box. From then on Carrig used their squad, making 3 changes and continued to apply the pressure on Ballintotis. Sean Madden got his goal with 15mins left, winning the ball at the far post and heading in from 6 yards out. Cian McSweeney rounded off a great display with his second goal on 88mins, to leave Carrig 4-0 winners.
Team - Brian Kidnay, Conor Healy, Cormac Carroll, Sean Madden(c), Derrick Nolan, Darren Sylvester, Leonard Healy, Davy Barry, Stephen Kidney, Ian O'Donghue and Cian McSweeney.
Subs - Niall Kidney (for Derrick Nolan 75m), Paul Nolan, Shane Kennedy (for Cormac Carroll 65m), Liam Barry (for Darren Sylvester 60m) and Nielus Murphy.
