SMGS U19 Soccer power on to quarter finals

The U19 Boys soccer team played their last 16 match against Dunmanway, a tough looking fixture as their opponents had beaten Presentation College to get to this stage. With a host of injuries and illnesses, SMGS Blarney started the match with only 11 fully fit players, and a few players making their first starts of the season.

The first half was well controlled by our team, Sean Keane and Stephen Looney dominating in the centre, debutant Rob O’Riordan playing some good football, however nobody finishing off their chances. And on one of their first attacks, Dunmanway showed how dangerous their front players were by scoring on the break just before half time. 

In the second half, for a while things were starting to look a bit nervy, but Scott Forrest nicely finished off a fast counter having been supplied by Kelvin O’Donoghue’s pass. It looked all set up for our boys, but in our worst period of the match, Dunmanway had numerous clear chances on the break, Jake O’Leary making one exceptional save, another shot being stopped right on the line, and our opponents missing 2 other clear chances. 

Finally, a sublime piece of Ronaldinho-style skill and tight control by Scott Forrest got himself away from 2 defenders, and he finished off nicely. 

Towards the end of the game Scott got his hat-trick at the second attempt, dispelling any doubts his manager may have had about his ability to play as a number 9.

The next round is the quarter final, date and opponent yet to be arranged.