Danny Twomey writes about the U18’s first game of the season.
Montrose Park, Colindale, Under 18 (Minor) League
St. Kiernans vs Parnells 0-6 to 1-11
Team: Ricardo Estevez, Eamon Kane, Eoghan Riley, Niall McNamara, Michael Walsh, JoJo Thabu, Harry Logan, Matthew Forkin, Joshua Obahor, Matthew McHugh, Lewis Dickinson, Kieran Rice, Niall Twomey, Luke Horgan, Ciaran Griffin, Steven Lally, James Phillips.
It was a pleasant evening in Montrose Park as the players from Parnells and St. Kiernans Minor teams gathered in search of the valuable league points on offer. Both of these sets of players are well acquainted with each other and usually serve up a close contest. The first half ebbed and flowed with some good football from both teams but it was the defences from both teams who came out on top. The score line of 0-3 – 0-3 at half time is evidence enough of this defensive dominance. Forwards from both teams found it tough to find sufficient room or time to engineer any type of chance and all the defenders on show must take credit for this.
When the game resumed, it was more of the same for the first minutes of the second period. Around the fortieth minute though it was Parnells who opened up with a salvo of points and a glimpse of daylight appeared. Suddenly Luke Horgan appearing on ‘the forty’ was in rampant form. Winning primary possession and cutting through the St. Kiernans rearguard and then servicing the inside line who up until then had been starved of any real possession.
Matthew McHugh and Niall Twomey benefitted greatly from these runs and during a real purple patch and total of 1-5 was racked up including a goal from the industrious Kieran Rice. St. Kiernans never gave up the ghost but in a game of tight margins and with Parnells defence in such good form it was never going to be easy to close the gap.
Joshua Obahor and Niall McNamara were excellent as were Eamon Kane and Michael Walsh. Matthew McHugh was a handful for any opponent and Ciaran Griffin on his first outing with the minors showed up well. Lewis Dickinson stormed the game in the last third but for me, the man of the match on this occasion was Luke Horgan.
The game needed someone to grab it by the scruff and Luke stepped up well. Great to see Steven Lally make a late appearance for Parnells. A real talent and when he gets back to full fitness he will be a great asset. Matthew Forkin at midfield as usual worked tirelessly.
Special mention to the four under 15s who turned out and all made excellent contributions, Eoghan Riley and JoJo Thabu in defence were immense. Whilst Niall Twomey and James Phillips were in fine form in the second period especially.
St. Kiernans were well served by Caolin Doyle, Jack Hannon, Michael Keohane and the excellent Matthew Joyce.
In summary, a good start and a good result from a Parnells perspective. Lots of good things on show and plenty to work on. Well done to referee John Doyle and to the Parnells management.
