SFAI U13 National Cup Last 32
St. Brendan’s Park 2 – 3 Mallow United
Mallow United U13s visited Tralee on Sunday last to face St Brendan’s Park in the last 32 of the National Cup. There was an early set-back for Mallow as they lost Shane Cronin in the warm up meaning the squad was tight on numbers. Mallow started well, playing good open football with great commitment with a front two of Cormac Dilworth and Jerry Collins holding the ball up well allowing Mallow’s midfield of Donnchadh Barrett, Jamie O’Neill, Louis Hanover to push forward creating some good early chances. Billy O’Keeffe playing a holding position behind the midfield making sure chances for the opposition were few however a through ball 15 minutes into the first half allowed Cian O’Gara to break the Mallow defence giving St Brendan’s the lead. Despite the set-back the Mallow defence continued to do well with Dominic Serafin putting in a man of the match performance. Ten minutes later Mallow were to suffer a further set-back when St Brendan’s Callum O’Sullivan put the home team 2-0 up despite calls for offside from the Mallow defence.Two goals down after 25 minutes asked questions of the Mallow boys but they kept their cool and continued to focus on playing their football. Just before half-time Mallow got the break they deserved when the St Brendan’s keeper found Billy O’Keeffe’s free kick too hot to handle and the ball found its way to the back of the net.
Mallow started the second half with purpose being driven from midfield by Donnchadh Barrett who passed and tackled relentlessly backed up by Alan O’Connell, Niall Burke and Cormac O’Sullivan. Daniel Smith was introduced on the wing at half time and with Louis Hanover on the other wing Mallow were creating chances from out wide. Despite the pressure time was running out for Mallow however an exchange of passes between Barrett and O’Sullivan allowed O’Sullivan to swing in a great cross with Hanover connecting to slot home the equaliser. With normal time elapsed Mallow continued to press and 3 minutes into injury time Mallow won a free kick close to the corner flag. A perfect delivery from Barrett was met with a sublime header from O’Connell making it 3-2 at the death.
This was a huge team performance with Cormac Dilworth having one of his best games for Mallow working tirelessly upfront all day along with Jerry Collins. Mallow goalkeeper Denis Mulcahy deserves special mention for the bravery he showed as he came to the rescue for Mallow on more than one occasion. A special mention also for Cory Buckley who due to illness was unable to play but who has contributed greatly to this team all season.
As with their U14 club mates the week previously victory for Mallow comes with the reward of a place among the last 16 teams in the country battling it out for the National Cup. The Mallow U13s will travel to Mayo to face Kiltimagh Knock United in two weeks time.
Mallow Squad: Denis Mulcahy, Niall Burke, Cormac O’Sullivan, Alan O’Connell, Dominic Serafin, Jamie O’Neill, Donnchadh Barrett, Billy O’Keeffe, Louis Hanover, Cormac Dilworth, Jerry Collins, Daniel Smith, Cory Buckley, Shane Cronin.
Also in this weeks news…
- Hat-trick for Corbett as U15A Win at Home
- Extra-Time Exit in U15 National Cup
Location
Tralee, Ireland
Comments --