U15s draw with Wicklow Educate Together in pulsating encounter
Sarah Jane McDonnell, Caoimhe Cullen and Rebecca Cahill report from the action!
Our U15 soccer team set out for an exciting match against Wicklow Educate Together at Wicklow Rovers today. They started the game with a promising attack, but it their positive start was short lived as an early 4th minute goal from Wicklow Educate Together put the pressure on immediately. Avondale were looking to make a comeback andas they attacked, a foul on Darragh O Byrne led to a super free taken by Shane Kennedy. Unfortunately, the shot was well saved, but Shane did not back down from the challenge and just a minute later he put Avondale on the scoreboard with our first goal of the game.
Conor Healy and Ross Keenan were showing super in defense but despite their efforts, Wicklow Educate Together scored a second and third goal in the 9th and 12th minute. Our boys did not let the score board affect their attitude and continued to battle hard coming up to half time. Wicklow Educate Together made one more attack before the break and their efforts were rewarded by a fourth goal in the 21st minute. Things were looking ominous for Avondale as opportunities came and went including several unlucky misses from Shane and Darragh. However, some great saves from Árann Segrave-Daly kept the boys hopes alive. In the 25th minute, Bobby Dease made an incredible shot on goal and even though the goalie got a hand to it, DJ Williams was there to hit it in once again which left the half-time score 4-2 in favour of Wicklow Educate Together.
Avondale started the second half strong as Tieran had a shot on goal saved just before Wicklow Educate Together scored their fifth goal of the game. There was some nice play from Avondale as they worked hard to change the score board and it was not long until captain Shane Kennedy scored an unreal goal in the 18th minute of the second half. Unfortunately, it was not long until Wicklow Educate Together got one back to bring the score to 6-3 to Wicklow Educate Together. Darren Santos and Tiernan Byrne Cahill were working well in the backs and managed to get the ball up the field to Shane who assisted Darragh in his 22nd minute goal.
Closing in on the last ten minutes, Darragh O’ Byrne converted a great free which and it wasn’t long before he was in on the action again as he scored another goal in the 26th minute, narrowing the score line to 6-5. As Avondale were on the attack, they were fouled in the box by the Wicklow Educate Together goalie which led to Darragh taking a penalty and equalizing the game in the 29th minute. Things were looking up for Avondale as they scored their 7th goal putting them in the lead. However, there was to be further drama as just before full time Wicklow Educate Together managed to get an equalizing goal, leaving the final score at 7-7.
It was a great day out for Avondale CC as they made a great come back in the second half. “It was a great lesson for the boys today as it is easy to give up, but they believed in their strengths” Mr. Canosa
“The boys all showed great belief and especially Darragh O’ Byrne” Mr. Atkinson
“I am proud of how hard the team fought today; it was a great lesson” Captain Shane Kennedy.
