Sarah-Jane McDonnell, Rebecca Cahill and Caoimhe Cullen report from the sideline!
On Friday Avondale U19 soccer set out to win their second group stage game in order to qualify for the U19 semi-final. They ended a very physically challenging match with a victory on a scoreline of 5-3.
The match started off very physically with the first shot of the game coming from Avondale's Oscar Dowling. Enniscorthy were very strong in the first few minutes, launching a few attacks but they could not get past Avondale's Noah Fahy, Cillian Byrne and Joe Sinnott. Avondale made many attempts on goal but were made wait for their first score. The first goal of the match came from Enniscorthy in the 14th minute. Some great saves from Darcy Santos kept Avondale in the game. Things were looking poor but with determination, they bounced back and scored 3 goals before half time after effective substitutions meant that Cormac Moore, Matthew Theron and Jason Nwobo could make their influence on the game. The 1st goal came in the 30th minute from Mark O’Reilly with the other 2 coming in the 41st and 42nd minute, one being a penalty with both scored by Sonny McHale.
At half time, beliefs were high but there was a fear that complacency could set in with some thinking on the sideline that it was time to go home!
The 2nd half started the same way that the 1st half ended, with Avondale dominating. After a few unfortunate misses over the cross bar from Sonny and Mark, the lads were trying to “take their points to see if the goals would follow” according to a quote from the sideline. Avondale kept their lead with great saves from Declan Murphy in the first 15 minutes of the second half. Enniscorthy were looking to make a comeback when they scored their second goal in the 62nd minute. However, it did not take Avondale long to bite back after another super goal from Mark O Reilly. Avondale were working hard to stay in the lead with great play from Joseph Mc Donnell, Caden Kinsella, and Calem Nangle. Despite their efforts Enniscorthy scored their 3rd and final goal in the 71st minute. Avondale thought all hope was lost as they conceded a goal to make the scores level, but it was thankfully ruled as offside. An assist from Sonny McHale led Oscar Dowling to score a goal, but again it was ruled as an offside. The final goal of the game came in the 91st minute from Sonny McHale to give him the hattrick that he wanted. The game ended 5-3 and Avondale are now through to the semi-final.