May 02 2010

FAI UNDER 18 Cup Semi-final
Cork City 3 Drogheda United 2

The Drogs came away disappointed from this match, mostly due to the fact that they did not do themselves justice. There were extenuating circumstances, but the feeling of disappointment remained. Facing a strong physical home side in blustery conditions, they were decidedly unlucky when first Jason Swift had to be replaced by Richie Baxter after only ten minutes, and ten minutes later defender Sean Clarke limped off to be replaced by James Boland.

At the same time as Clarke’s injury, Anthony Williams took a knock which seemed to affect him throughout the match. So, as well as contending with these injuries, the Drogs had to try and get a grip with a rampant home team which threatened to score on almost every attack. The two substitutions seemed to unsettle the Drogs and they were strangely hesitant at the back, and an elementary defensive error from a corner saw the home side take the lead on 25 minutes.

The home side continued to dominate, with the Drogs finding it hard to get a grip on things despite playing with a strong wind at their backs and the home side doubled their lead 5 minutes from half time when keeper McCarthy was left exposed by poor defending and had to take on the attacker outside the box. Keith succeeded in forcing the attacker wide but was unlucky to see the home side double their lead.

A disappointed Drogs team trooped off at half time, and whatever Sam had to say in the dressing room, they returned after the break to give a much better account of themselves. They started to show much more conviction on the ball, with Philly Kavanagh and Jack Kierans showing some good moves, and on 57 Sean O’Rourke pulled a goal back when the keeper fumbled a good Jack Kierans cross. 14 minutes later Sean failed to properly connect to another Kierans cross, and three minutes after that the home side scored what proved to be the vital third goal after some incessant attacking. In trying to press the game, the Drogs were playing a high line at the back, and it seemed to be working, but this at times played into the hands of the home side’s speedy attackers down the flanks.

And, as the game seemed to be drawing to its inevitable close, the Drogs were awarded a free on the edge of the penalty area, up steps defender Stephen Larkin to send a bullet around the Cork Wall into the corner of the net, but it was a case of too little too late and the whistle went shortly after.

Despite their disappointment at the result, the Drogs somewhat redeemed themselves in the second half, but were left to rue some elementary defensive errors.

Team: Keith McCarthy, Ger Sweetman, Brian Bird, Sean Clarke (James Boland), Stephen Larkin, Robbie Sweeney (Mark Griffin), Anthony Williams, Philly Kavanagh, Sean O’Rourke, Jack Kierans, Jason Swift (Richie Baxter).

Subs not used: Aidan Bissett, Mark Fagan, Danny Connell.