U-16 Representative Match
North Tipperary Schoolchildren’s League(NTSL) 1
Limerick County Schoolboy’s League(LCSL) 2
NTSL U-16’s came out on the wrong end a narrow 2-1 score line against Limerick County Schoolboy’s League in this SFAI Paul O’Neill Cup game played at Rearcross FC Grounds last Wednesday night. Limerick County made the livelier start and a defensive mix up in NTSL rearguard nearly gifted the visitors with the opener with just two minutes gone, however Gary Ward’s effort from a tight angle was blocked out for a corner. This was followed two minutes later with a Shane Nevin shot which was held by the North Tipperary net minder. NTSL’s first attack came in the 5th minute when Nathan Kelly headed over with a good effort. Limerick’s Niall O’Riordan combined with Shane Dillon who dribbled past two defenders before letting fly, however the shot skewed away from the target. The home side were denied the lead on twelve minutes when Nathan Kelly’s pile driver came off the underside of the cross bar with claims from North Tipp that the ball had bounced inside the line, however play was waved on. Paddy Guerin followed up seconds later with a first time volley that was straight at the Limerick custodian. It was end to end at this stage and Colin Barry’s header was on the mark midway through the half, however NTSL cleared off the line. The green & whites took the lead when an over the top ball from Colin Barry set Shane Dillon through on the right, the Charleville player made no mistake with a cracking finish to the far corner. The NTSL side gained a foothold towards the end of the half and Jahar Singh set up Paddy Guerin who let fly with a rasper that was on target, however a crowded goal mouth saw the effort deflected to safety. The home side kept pressing and were rewarded a minute before the break when Nathan Kelly’s corner kick broke to Chris Monaghan who fired a low drive to the back of the net.
LCSL created the first chance of the second half when Gary Ward’s effort was goal bound with six minutes gone, however Eric Campell made a good stop at the near post. NTSL counter attacked minutes later and Steve Ahern’s well struck shot was saved by the visiting keeper. North Tipperary enjoyed a dominant spell after this and went close with attempts from Chris Monaghan, Alex Hoddelston and Aidan Boyle. Limerick County restored their advantage with eighteen minutes remaining on the stopwatch when Shane Dillon who was a real threat throughout swung in the cross from the left, Colin Barry sold the dummy to leave Bob Keogh with the easiest of finishes from close range. NTSL didn’t throw in the towel and kept on the attack, Nathan Kelly had the ball in the Limerick net on 76 minutes, however play had been called back for an off side infringement. The visitors shut up shop after this and held out for the win against a NTSL side that played well throughout but came up against a well drilled Limerick side on the night. The North Tipperary side playing for the first time in this competition will travel to Waterford on the 13th February for their final group game.
Man of the Match: Shane Dillon (LSCL).
North Tipperary Schoolchildren’s League: Eric Campbell (Ballymackey FC), Luke Kennedy (Nenagh AFC), Roy Creagh (Nenagh AFC), Stevie Aherne (Nenagh AFC), Cathal Coonan (Nenagh AFC), Paddy Guirens (Templemore), Nathan Kelly (Nenagh AFC), Jahar Singh (Nenagh AFC), Calum O’Connor (Holycross FC), Aidan Boyle (Nenagh AFC), Chris Monaghan (Lough Derg)
Subs: Alex Huddleston (Ballymackey FC) for Calum O’Connor[55th minute]
Subs Not Used: Emmet Dwyer (Nenagh AFC), Mark McCarthy (Ballymackey FC), Colm Hall (Ballymackey FC), David Gough (Lough Derg), Ray Webster (Lough Derg)
Limerick County Schoolboys League: Brian Finn(Holycross AFC), Shane Nevin (Holycross AFC), Kieran English (Rathkeale AFC), Niall O’Riordan (Holycross AFC), Niall Clifford (Rathkeale AFC), Darren Jones – Capt (Rathkeale AFC), Jason Carey (St Pats FC), Davy Lyons (Rathkeale AFC), Colin Barry (Rathkeale AFC), Shane Dillon (Charleville AFC), Gary Ward (Charleville AFC)
Subs: Dylan Murphy (St Pats FC) for Davy Lyons[45th minute], Bob Keogh (Rathkeale AFC) for Jason Carey[62nd minute]
Referee: Alec McCormack
Assistant Referees: Johnny Mitchell, Jimmy McCarthy
North Tipperary Schoolchildren's League U-16's
Back Row (L to R) Stevie Ahern, Eric Campbell, Cathal Coonan, Aidan Boyle, Paddy Guirens, Jahar Singh.
Front Row (L to R): Calum O’Connor, Nathan Kelly, Luke Kennedy, Roy Creagh, Aidan Boyle.
Limerick County Schoolboys League U-16's
Back Row (L to R): Kieran English, Colin Barry, Brian Finn, Niall O'Riordan, Shane Nevin, Davy Lyons
Front Row (L to R): Niall Clifford, Shane Dillon, Gary Ward, Jason Carey, Darren Jones