U17’s Go Joint-Top With a 5-2 Win

Watergrasshill United’s U17 team put in another fine display in Skehanagh Park today to beat Carrigaline United B in the Cork Youth League U17 League 2 – a victory that sees them joint top of the league with Lakewood Athletic.

The first half saw some decent play from both sides with Watergrasshill’s Josh Collins making several fruitful runs down the wing and some great off the ball movement from centre forward Richard Morrisson. A strike from Watergrasshill’s Morrisson followed by a Carrigaline strike seemed to bring the game to half time at a score of 1-1, but with one of the last kicks of the first half, a strike from 25 yards out on the wing was fumbled by the Carrigaline keeper and Watergrasshill led 2-1 at the break.

An inspired decision from the management team at the interval saw the introduction of Shane Cotter, who scored to put Watergrasshill 3-1 up mere minutes in to the second half. Watergrasshill pushed on and dominated the early stages of the second half with Josh Collins unlucky to see his 20 yard strike beat the keeper but go just wide of the post.

A few minutes later, some good refereeing from Pat Hayes saw a free kick awarded to Watergrasshill on the wing after an advantage did not materialise. A beautiful delivery saw the ball float over the penalty spot and up came Cathal Feehan with a glancing header to steer the ball past the keeper and in to the far corner to give Watergrasshill a deserved 4-1 lead.

Another inspirational substitution saw Watergrasshill score their fifth after a through ball from Richard was slotted home by Oisin Roche from 5 yards out. Carrigaline created a few chances here and there with a corner fizzing directly passed the far post and another shot driven just over the crossbar from the edge of the box. A great ball from Carrigaline #10 led to the winger being through one-on-one with the keeper which drew a fine save from Paul Ciocan in goal.

A fine first time half-volley from Carrigaline #15 from the edge of the box saw Carrigaline claim a consolation goal with the game finishing 5-2 in favour of Watergrasshill. Solid performances from both Cathal Feehan in midfield and a man of the match performance from Ceadan Hogan in defence gave Watergrasshill a strong foundation upon which they claimed a deserved win.

Squad: Paul Ciocan, David Cummins, Ceadan Hogan, Jack O Grady, Seamus Ahern, Aiden Barton, Josh Collins, Dylan McCarthy, Michael Quinlan, Aaron Foley, Richard Morrisson, Cian Delaney, Tadgh O Herlihy, Sean Hogan, Oisín Roche, Ciaran Crowley, Dylan Cotter, Shane Cotter, Cathal Feehan.

Management Team: Mick McCourt, Dave Hogan, John Barton & David Feehan

Referee: Pat Hayes