U10

U10 Soccer Match Report

Burrin Celtic 1 - Milltown United 0

Burrin U10’s put in a determined performance to overcome Milltown’s strong challenge at The Valley by a single goal. This was a tense affair from the start with both teams committing numbers to defence in the early stages.

The Burrin lads grew in confidence as the first half progressed, with Cian Brennan, putting in his best performance of the season, and Fionn McCaffrey winning an increasing share of possession in midfield. Some excellent passing moves followed, involving Oscar Brennan and Eamon Lalor on the wings and Alex Kelliher up front. Burrin’s breakthrough came in the 15^th minute when Eamon Lalor’s cross from the left wing was expertly controlled, and struck to the roof of the net by Oscar Brennan.

As Burrin’s attacking force became an increasing threat, the back three of Ben Ward, Keelan Angood and Ciaran Lewis remained focussed on Milltown’s danger men, and full credit is due for their effort in closing down the attack on every occasion, restricting their opponents to a few half chances which goalkeeper TJ Nolan dealt with comfortably.

Burrin were in the fortunate position of having five substitutes available to introduce at half time, all being able replacements for their tiring teammates. Replacement full backs Odhran Curran and Cian Byrne supported the attack, running tirelessly on the wings between defensive and attacking positions. Central defence was strengthened by the addition of Callum Fisher, and during the first ten minutes of the second half the Burrin lads continued to create opportunities and can count themselves unlucky not to have doubled their lead.

However, as the second half progressed, Milltown showed more and more determination to find an equaliser. Burrin went into defensive mode and at midfield Ben Goodwin and Adam Nolan worked hard to close down the attack. Milltown’s pressure play led to a number of corner kicks and several danger moments followed as the ball was floated into the goalmouth area, with Milltown’s attackers standing by with striking intent. Milltown came closest when a deflected corner kick was goal bound were it not for Cian Brennan’s positioning on the goal line to clear the danger.

Overall the Burrin lads can be very proud of their display in this closely contested match against an excellent Milltown side. It required a big effort by each and every player from start to finish to close out this game with a win.

U10 Soccer Match Report

Burrin Celtic 7 - St. Josephs 0

Burrin got back to winning ways with a convincing 7-0 victory over St Josephs at McArdle’s cross. Burrin pressurised from the start, although the lack of recent matches showed in the early stages as the usual fluency of passing and movement was missing. In this period Burrin gave away possession in midfield on a few occasions and could have conceded early goals were it not for some solid defending by the back three of Fionn McCaffrey, Keelan Angood and Ciaran Lewis. In fact, a much improved defensive performance was probably the most important feature of this game for Burrin, a feature which continued in the second half when Burrin’s replacement defenders of Callum Fisher, Cian Byrne and Odhran Curran looked equally assured. Likewise, between the posts, TJ Nolan looked solid throughout, cutting out the St Josephs threat on a number of occasions.

The Burrin players slowly grew into the game and the goal chances started to come, particularly through some good passing movement on the right side of midfield. After a number of missed chances, Burrin finally got off the mark in the 15^th minute when Eamon Lalor’s shot was deflected to the net by a St Joseph’s player.  Burrin continued to grow in confidence and minutes later Adam Nolan was unlucky to see his shot rise narrowly over the crossbar after making a good run through the middle. In the 19^th minute Burrin made it 2-0 when Eamon Lalor delivered a well timed cross towards Ben Goodwin who showed good composure on the ball, before finishing well. Burrin should have had another before half time when Oscar Brennan’s strike came off the post, when he would normally find the net with ease.

The second half saw Burrin continue to pressurise, as the addition of Cian Brennan on the left wing and Ben Ward at midfield gave the team a similar feeling of strength. In the 27^th minute Burrin won a free kick 25m from goal, which caught most by surprise when Eamon Lalor struck expertly to the net. Minutes later Cian Brennan won the ball on the left side of midfield and scored his first of the season with a left footed strike after showing strong possession skills to put himself into a shooting position.

Burrin were now well on top and Alex Kelliher made it 5-0 in the 32^nd minute with a superbly taken free kick to the top right hand corner. Two more goals quickly followed. The first when Ben Ward worked hard to beat the St Josephs defence and passed to Ben Goodwin for a tap in goal, and the second when Ben himself turned provider, passing the ball nicely to the feet of Cian Brennan who also tapped in, making it 7-0.

Despite scoring 7 goals, the most pleasing aspect of this win was undoubtedly the solid defensive performance, something which is uncommon in U10 football, and which the defensive team should be particularly proud of. Overall, it was fantastic to see the entire team working hard for each other and showing great determination to get back to winning ways.

U10 Soccer Match Report

Burrin Celtic 3 - New Oak Boys 1

A determined Burrin side came out on top in this exciting afternoon game at The Valley. The Burrin lads showed intent from the kick off with some excellent passing movement and creative play leading to two early chances for Oscar Brennan who shot marginally wide on both occasions. However, a strong New Oak side soon found their range, putting increasing pressure on Burrin’s defence. New Oak’s pressure paid off in the 9^th minute when a lapse of concentration in the Burrin defence left a New Oak player unmarked in the box, whose shot from close range gave goalkeeper TJ Nolan no chance.

Burrin showed their character to quickly recover from this set back and they were back on terms one minute later when Eamon Lalor won possession and struck the ball into the goalmouth from the left side of the box. The New Oak defender mistimed his clearance and the ball was deflected into the New Oak net. In the 11^th minute Burrin struck again when a superb pass from striker Adam Nolan put Eamon Lalor through on goal to finish well to the bottom right hand corner.

The remainder of the first half was evenly contested with both sides creating chances but their defences also standing firm. Going forward Alex Kelliher and Ben Ward reminded New Oak of the constant Burrin threat, while defensive midfielder Fionn McCaffrey and central defenders Calum Fisher, Keelan Angood and Cian Byrne worked hard to ensure that Burrin would give little away at the back. Both goalkeepers were also involved in the action with the New Oak keeper preventing his side from falling further behind on a few occasions and Burrin’s number 1, TJ Nolan in confident form.

Half time saw the introduction of Cian Brennan who made some promising runs on the left side of midfield, but was unlucky to pick up an early injury. As New Oak pushed forward in search of an equalizer, Cian’s replacement Ciaran Lewis was asked to play a defensive role, which he did with considerable ease, frustrating the New Oak attack right to the end.

The last ten minutes was a tense affair as Burrin steeled their defence and played a counter attacking game. Odhrain Curran replaced striker Adam Nolan up front, but his defensive instincts ensured that he fell back to help his teammates in the midfield area. With five minutes to go, a clever pass from midfielder Ben Goodwin gave Oscar Brennan a chance, but his strike once again was just wide of the target. With two minutes remaining, the ball fell to Eamon Lalor in midfield. Running on the right wing, Eamon skilfully beat a New Oak player to create space and take his Hat-Trick opportunity well with a strike to the bottom left hand corner.

The Burrin lads knew from the start that this would be a difficult test. However, they can be very proud of how they worked for each other and continued to build an enviable team spirit.

 

U10 Soccer Match Report

Burrin Celtic 6 - Vale Wanderers 1

Burrin Celtic were comfortable winners in this home encounter against Vale Wanderers. Midfielder, Oscar Brennan opened proceedings after only 2 minutes, skilfully beating a number of Vale players down the right side before finishing expertly. Oscar was on target again 3 minutes later, this time being in the right area of the box to strike a loose ball after the hard working Ben Goodwin made an excellent run again down the right side only to see his own strike blocked by the Vale defenders. A determined Burrin side continued to press home their advantage in these early minutes and Vale’s task became even more difficult when debutant Ben Ward made space for himself and finished well in the 7th minute.

To their credit, Vale tightened their defence and showed signs of improvement as goals became harder to find throughout the remainder of the game. Defender Keelan Angood moved to midfield for Burrin in the 10th minute and was unlucky not to find himself on the score sheet with numerous chances refusing to cross the goal line. Also working hard on the left wing, Cian Brennan showed endless energy as he continued to win valuable possession for his team. In the 15th minute Burrin struck again when Alex Kelliher showed impressive timing to rise highest in the box and head home from Oscar Brennan’s corner kick.

As the first half progressed, Vale gained in confidence and began to put some attacking moves together. Burrin’s full backs Cian Byrne and Ciaran Lewis maintained their concentration and were equal to the challenge, reliably dealing with the Vale attack. However, on the stroke of half time Vale won a corner kick and scored from the resulting goal mouth scramble. Half time score Burrin Celtic 4 – 1 Vale Wanderers.

The second half saw the introduction of Calum Fisher, Adam Nolan and Eamon Lalor on the Burrin team. Adam Nolan made an immediate impact finding space and scoring from just inside the box in the 24th minute. Minutes later, Eamon Lalor moved at pace on the right wing and found Adam Nolan again with a superbly timed cross field pass. Adam was one on one with the Vale keeper and he made no mistake finishing to the net.

The remainder of the half saw Burrin continuing to push forward and create numerous chances but Vale’s defence held out to the end. Vale too created some chances in the closing stages but centre half Calum Fisher and goalkeeper TJ Nolan stood firm, showing no likelihood of conceding a second goal.

Overall Burrin were comfortable and deserving winners with all players contributing in a true team performance. Full time Burrin Celtic 6 – 1 Vale Wanderers.