ST Columbs, Waterside
This opening game was played in torrential downpours but there was still some slick passing and good movement for the large crowd. This was a closely contested match and with few chances at either end the half time score of 0 – 0 came as no surprise. With 15 minutes gone in the second half Drogheda scored what turned out to be the only goal after a shot was parried by Andrew Sheridan and a Drogheda forward scored from close range. Both teams had few chances and despite finishing the stronger team B’mallard were unable to snatch an equaliser. Ben Brown had another commanding performance at the back and Andrew Farrell and John Joe Strain both caused problems for the Drogheda defence with their pace. B’mallard keeper Sheridan also had a good game in very difficult conditions.
06.07.05 B’MALLARD U12 1 - 1 COLERAINE F.C. (Group Stage)
The Vale Centre, Greysteel
This was another closely fought match with very little between the sides. In the opening 10 minutes both teams had several half chances, which came to nothing. The opening goal for B’mallard came 15 minutes into the first half when a Christopher Sheridan cross was headed on by Matthew McConkey for Andrew Farrell to score from close range. Louis Leonard and Brian McAleer both had solid games in defence and limited Coleraine to long range shooting. In the second half Coleraine pressed forward and B’mallard were fortunate when a shot struck their post and bounced out. With 10 minutes remaining Coleraine got their deserved equaliser when a free kick was headed past a static defence into the net.
07.07.05 B’MALLARD U12 2 - 2 BIRKIRKARA F.C. (MALTA) (Group Stage)
ST Columbs, Waterside
B’mallard were put under pressure right from the whistle with Birkirkara playing attractive football but being held out by the defensive line of Nathen Keys, Ryan O’Sullivan, Ben Brown and Louis Leonard. The deadlock was broken just before half time when a deflected shot beat Andrew Sheridan. Five minutes into the second half Birkirkara went further ahead when Ben Brown’s mistimed tackle resulted in a penalty. Andrew Sheridan dived to his left and got a hand to the ball but was unable to stop the ball crossing the line. Ronan McDonough, Brian McAleer, Ryan Potter and Scott Byers were all brought on and this seemed to spark a revival and for the first time in the match B’mallard started to play good football. They were rewarded 10 mins. from the end when Brian McAleer hooked the ball into the net from a Christopher Sheridan cross. B’mallard laid siege to the Birkirkara goal and with 3 minutes on the clock Ruairi Corrigan nudged the ball over the line after a fumble from the keeper. Frantic Birkirkara defending somehow kept the score at 2 – 2 and with seconds on the clock John Joe Strain broke free on the left but his left foot shot was well saved by the keeper. Nathen Keys gave a determined performance in this highly entertaining thriller which was played with great spirit by both teams.
07.07.05 B’MALLARD U12 2 - 1 MAIDEN CITY ACADEMY(Q.Final)
Prehen
B’mallard progressed to the quarter final of the Rose Bowl and their opponents in the quarter final were Maiden City Academy. Academy started strongly and Ben Brown and Ryan O’Sullivan were quickly involved making last ditch tackles. After this initial pressure B’mallard got into their stride with James Turley, Owen Hamill, Brian McAleer and Adam Davison linking well and creating chances for Andrew Farrell and John Joe Strain. After 20 minutes Academy took the lead against the run of play when their forward outpaced the B’mallard defence to score past Andrew Sheridan. Minutes later B’mallard were awarded a penalty after Ruairi Corrigan was brought down in the box. Ryan O’Sullivan struck the resulting penalty just wide with the keeper well beaten. The second half began with B’mallard again well on top and were awarded a second penalty after a handball in the box. Matthew McConkey coolly stepped up and scored to level the score. Good midfield passing movement from Johnny Hoy and Adam Davison gave John Joe Strain and Andrew Farrell further chances before Christopher Sheridan scored the deserved winner with a looping shot from outside the box. In the last few minutes Academy poured forward searching for the equaliser but the defence marshalled by Ryan O’Sullivan, who showed great character after the penalty miss held firm.
08.07.05 B’MALLARD U12 1 - 3 DUNDALK (Semi Final)
Greysteel
Another slow start in this semi final saw B’mallard fall behind to a very strong Dundalk side and they can have no complaints about the score. Dundalk dominated the first half and they scored the only goal after a cross from the right was headed in comfortably by a Dundalk striker with the defence looking on. A Matthew McConkey shot that went over the bar was the closest that B’mallard came in a poor first half performance. B’mallard improved in the second half but found themselves 2 – 0 down after a cross was not dealt with and a Dundalk striker had a simple tap in. With 10 minutes remaining and the game seemingly over John Joe Strain picked up the ball in midfield. He began a mazy run which left 3 Dundalk players in his wake and when he got in to the penalty area he unleashed a powerful shot which gave the keeper no chance. This wonder goal inspired B’mallard and they forced 2 free kicks in a matter of minutes outside the Dundalk penalty area, one of which by Christopher Sheridan grazed the crossbar. With B’mallard pouring forward and pressing hard for the equaliser Dundalk broke quickly, outpaced the defence and gave keeper Scott Byers no chance to make the final score 3 - 1.
09.07.05 B’MALLARD U12 0 - 1 LIMAVADY (3rd/4th Play Off)
Templemore
This play off was a game which B’mallard should have won comfortably but poor finishing and a moment of slackness at the back cost them dearly. The opening 10 minutes saw Andrew Farrell and John Joe Strain miss excellent chances. Chance after chance followed as B’mallard played their best football of the tournament but were unable to score. The second half continued in the same vein with Johnny Hoy, Ryan Potter, Matthew McConkey, Brian McAleer and Christopher Sheridan all going close. Defenders Nathen Keys, Louis Leonard, Rauiri Corrigan and Ryan O’Sullivan had a quiet game with most of the play at the other end. With 2 minutes remaining a long clearance from Limavady caught the defence cold and a Limavady player got to the ball before keeper Andrew Sheridan to score an unlikely winner. At the final whistle the boys were understandably gutted at losing a game which they totally dominated.
Comment: The boys have enjoyed themselves, learned a lot and have played against some of the best U12 teams in Ireland and Europe. Despite the high quality of the opposition no team has overwhelmed us and the boys can leave with their heads held high. In all the matches the result has been in doubt right to the end. Six games in five days is a gruelling schedule but the boys put in tremendous effort and coped very well. It has proved to be a terrific team building exercise and the boys enjoyed the hotel facilities but perhaps story telling at 3am took more out of the boys than the football. Coaches, Paul Sheridan, Fred Potter and myself have also learned a lot from watching the other teams and the variety of tactics used. An offer from our Maltese opponents to enter their home tournament shows the importance of entering tournaments like this and making contacts with other clubs in Ireland and across Europe. We look forward to returning to the Foyle Cup in two years time.
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