The U-16 footballers started their league campaign with a narrow 2-point victory in a close game, only securing the winning goal in the last minute.
Although we had a strong wind at our backs, it was the visitors who registered the first point of the game. Both teams showed signs of rustiness with handling mistakes and some wayward passing. We quickly levelled through R McAteer and then enjoyed a spell of control. However, while D Henry and and L Ives kicked points to put us ahead, we also missed a lot of chances to extend our lead.
Gort na Mona had a goal chance but R Keenan tipped the ball out for a ’45. They then played good possession football to narrow the gap with a second point of their own before the sides exchanged further points (a second for D Henry) to leave us in front by the minimum at the break 0-4 to 0-3.
Gort na Mona started the second half strongly and pulled level just after the break. We relied on running the ball rather than kicking into the wind and it paid off when T McGreevy put us back in front. The Gorts came back strongly and registered three unanswered points to take the lead heading into the last ten minutes. D Henry took a good score to once again level the scores but the visitors were enjoying much of the play and with the wind behind them, they once again went two in front with another point.
A foul just on the ’20 earned us a free and from the resultant kick which fell short against the wind, we regained possession and D Henry was on hand to finish to the net, putting us ahead. In a frantic finish both teams had chances to score but at the death, after a scramble in the away goalmouth, M Olali stroked the ball home to win the game 2-6 to 0-8
