U12 Football, Round 5

Pearses 3-5; Craughwell 1-5: Report by Martina Donnellan. Pearses U12 footballers played their fifth game of the league against a strong Craughwell side yesterday evening, clocking their third win in 5 games. Although both teams showed signs of Feile weariness, it was Craughwell who started the better and Alan Zimmerer had 1-1 on the scoreboard for Craughwell within 3 minutes. Then Harry Mitchell goaled from close range following a goalmouth scramble and was uncharacteristically wide with a subsequent free and another from play.

Cillian Fahy drew a point blank save from Craughwell’s custodian who saved well from the inrushing Fahy. 10mins in and Harry Mitchell found the range with a pointed free to tie up the scores at 1-1 apiece. Harry Mitchell nudged Pearses ahead with a free after Cillian Fahy was fouled while Alan Zimmerer levelled matters with a lovely point on the run just on the stroke of half time as neither tired side could break the deadlock: 1-2 apiece at half time.

Pearses restarted the second half well and had two points on the board within as many minutes through Cillian Fahy after a good penetrating run from Anthony Feeney and then Harry Mitchell weaved himself into a scoring position after Jonah Donnellan played the ball into the corner. Rian Comer scored for Craughwell to put the minimum between the sides. Midway through the second half, the hard working Cillian Fahy was fouled again and this time David Walsh converted the free to widen the margin to two points 1-5 to 1-3.

The game changed in the space of the next few minutes as a lovely link-up between Jonah Donnellan andamp;amp; Harry Mitchell found Cillian Fahy and his unstoppable effort left the keeper with no chance as Pearses regained the upper hand. 2-5 to 1-3. Craughwell’s scoring power Alan Zimmerer set up a nervy finish as he converted two frees to leave just a goal between the sides. At this stage, Pearses backs stood up to the task with Dara Scarry and Fionn Donoghue particularly to the fore. With a minute to play a quickly taken free from Jonah Donnellan to Harry and as Donnellan regained possession and throttled towards goal he blasted to the net to ensure the game was unreachable for Craughwell to claw back a 6 point lead.

Diarmuid Ryan made some top class saves while Conor Walsh was superb until he had to retire early due to injury. Pearses midfield duo of Conor Hillary and the tenacious Anthony Feeney were a revelation while Cathal Hynes, Patrick O’Neill and James Feeney showed a great workrate. Ross Lally, Dylan King, Joe Carroll, Tadhg Harte, Ciárán Hogan, Eoghan Ryan, Daniel Melia, Robbie Lydon and the Nutley brothers Tommy and Jamie all played their part in a victory which did not come too easily against a Craughwell side that failed to give up. They play St. Michaels this Friday in Ballymacward at 7.30pm.

Scorers: Pearses: Harry Mitchell 1-3 (2F); Cillian Fahy 1-1; Jonah Donnellan 1-0; David Walsh 0-1. Craughwell: Alan Zimmerer 1-4 (2F); Rian Comer 0-1.

Panel: Diarmuid Ryan, Dara Scarry, Conor Walsh, Fionn Donoghue, Jonah Donnellan, David Walsh, Anthony Feeney, Conor Hillary, Cathal Hynes, Patrick O’Neill, James Feeney, Harry Mitchell, Cillian Fahy, Ross Lally, Dylan King, Joe Carroll, Tadhg Harte, Ciárán Hogan, Eoghan Ryan, Naniel Melia, Daniel Lydon, Tommy and Jamie Nutley.