8th March, 2003
U-7
Beige
Willows
0 Castleknock
Celtic 4
It was a miserable morning out in Popintree for the
visit of Castleknock Celtic in the BNDL Under 7 Beige Division. Incessant rain
pelted down on the teams but that didn't diminish their spirits.
Eoin O'Dunnuchu was captain for the day and went into
goal for the first quarter. Luke Henshaw tipped off with Ross Ward, and
the ball stayed in the Willows half for the next 10 minutes. This put the
home side under sustained pressure for the first quarter.
Luke was on fire today. The ball stuck to his
feet like glue. He is smaller than most of his team-mates but possesses
wonderful dribbling skills for one so young. The opposing team found it
very difficult to get the ball off
him. He was running non-stop today. Whether it was Crunchy Nuts or
Coco Pops or Muesli (oh yeh) he ate for breakfast, there was plenty of energy
there.
Luke was central to the move that brought the first
goal. He came into possession of the ball around the corner flag and
passed to Ross Kennedy. Ross hit it past the keeper to open the scoring.
After the break, Luke was again involved in setting up Anthony Healy for the
first of his two goals. Anthony lobbed the ball through a crowd of
defenders into the far corner of the goal.
Tom Fogarty and Darragh McCaffrey were in defence.
They both had a great game and stopped any threat that came near to their goal.
The muck did not deter them. Aidan O'Flaherty
and Ross Ward were in midfield and worked very hard to win and keep possession.
In the third quarter, Eve Farrelly fought doggedly
for the ball and won possession in midfield. She set off on a surging run
down the left before passing to Ross Kennedy who slotted it home to complete the
scoring.
Willows' only attack on goal was in the last quarter.
One of their players made a fine run towards goal but Darragh stood his ground
in goal. Just as the attacker was approaching goal, Darragh timed his run
to perfection from the goal to put the stricker off.
This team is starting to gel together and have even
started passing to each other !! They all want to play outfield which means
choice of goalkeeper is on a rotating basis. Compliments must be paid to
David, the manager, who always makes sure everyone gets a game.