Reporting by Ben Colgan and Sam McEvoy
Coláiste Choilm’s 1st Year soccer players narrowly missed out on an All Ireland final with a 2-1 defeat to Naas. The match was scheduled to be played at 11 o’ clock in Kilcock but was delayed by 3 hours due to the ref being late.
In the early stages of the match, CC were creating plenty of chances through Harvey Walsh and Jamie Hoey. Eventually, Jack Dunne had a big chance cleared off the line by the Naas right back. After that clearance, the momentum shifted. Naas began piling on the pressure with 3 shots out of their total of 5 coming in quick succession. Then, a huge decision by the referee gave Naas a controversial penalty that wasgreatlydisputed amongst ColáisteChoilm players. Alas, the penalty was given and slotted into the bottom corner, giving Aaron Mooney no chance and giving Naas a 1 nil lead. For the rest of the half, it was an even affair, until the ball broke near the edge of CC’s penalty box and the Naas striker unleashed a powerful shot straight into the top corner making it 2-0 to Naas CBS at half time.
ColáisteChoilm had to come out fighting in the 2ndhalf and they did. 2 shots from Jack Dunne were saved and one from Harvey Walsh hit the post, but they just couldn’t score. That was until a free kick was given outside the Naas penalty area, with Jamie Hoey stood over it. He stepped up and absolutely rifled it into the top right corner. It was 2-1 and game on!ColáisteChoilm really began pushing for the equaliser in the last 15 minutes. They brought on many subs and had many attacks, but it just wouldn’t come. The last chance of the game fell after a scramble in the box, but it was just cleared off the line. The game finished, Naas CBS 2 – 1 ColáisteChoilm.
Harvey Walsh tried his best to create chances in the attack with Jamie Hoey scoring the goal. The backline was really solid with Jayden Bracken and Jake Maher the 2 standouts alongside Adam Daly and Conor O’Brien. The midfield duo of George Plunkett and Ronan Kinnarneywas also very solid throughout.
STARTING LINEUP*=Introduced Sub
RB : Jake Maher ( Joint Man of Match )
CB : Jayden Bracken ( Joint Man of Match )
ST : Ridha Mohammed Ali Mousa Ali Ahmed