U16A Football Championship quarter-final
Rossa 2.9 All Saints 2.8
A keenly contested Quarter Final between the 2 championship favourites with both sides displaying quality football and maturity at times that bellied their youthful years. These 2 sides contested the u.14 county Feile title 2 years earlier with Rossa emerging victorious.
The first half began with All saints dominating possession for long spells but found a resolute Rossa defence difficult to break down. Rossa played with 13 men behind the ball and utilising a 2 man full forward line with Liam Carr a useful target man. Albeit he was well marshalled by the impressive Patrick Ferris. Rossa looking a threat on counter attack.
The game was largely played in the Rossa half in the first half and All Saints scored a fortuitous goal from Ciaran Campbell that was misjudged by the Rossa Keeper.
Shaun O Callaghan and Tyrone Mitchell dominated the midfield battle with some clever use of possession and defensive cover.
After 15 mins of the first half, All Saints led by 1.3 to 2 points. Rossa then scored 3 points in a row with Barra McCaffrey impressive from frees. This was followed by a goal with Rossa from Michael Mc Dade leaving the score 1.3 to 1.5 Rossa. All saints continued to press as half drew to a close with 3 unanswered points to lead at the break by the narrowest of margins 1.6 to 1.5.
As the 2nd half commenced, Rossa got the first 2 scores of the half to take a 1 point lead. There were some good passages of play and the decent size crowd were enthralled by the ebb and flow of the game. Each side exchanged a point apiece to leave Rossa 1 point up.
All saints continued to probe via the industrious and hard working Ronan McKillop. A cross field pass by Ciaran Campbell was punched to the net by Jamie Montgomery to leave All Saints leading by 2 points with 7 minutes to go.
As the clock wound down, Rossa closed the gap to a one point game with just over 1 minute to go. Rossa produced an excellent counter attacking move with a break from half back ending with midfielder Rairi Murray placing a low shot into the corner of the net to take a 2 point lead as game drew to a close.
All saints continued to chase the game and worked a couple of scoring chances, Oisin O Mullin had a screamer of a shot destined for the roof of net, saved and tipped over the bar by the Rossa keeper. This left the minimum margin of 1 point between the teams. All saints won primary possession again from the kick out but couldn’t register a score on the board. Rossa holding on for a one point victory on a scoreline of 2.9 to 2.8.
This was a keenly contested game by 2 excellent sides who both gave their absolute all. The work rate and effort of both teams was exceptional with some talent on show.
Standout performers for both sides were Shaun O Callaghan, Ronan Mc Killop, Patrick Ferris and Richard Mc Cann on the All saints side with Barra McCaffrey, Patrick Moyes, Owen Trainor, Rory Murray, Liam Carr and Michael McDade all impressing for the victors.
With nothing between these teams, Rossa advance to the next round where they will face a good Cargin side.
All Saints Team: Daniel McCoy, Jude Casey, Patrick Ferris, Paddy O Brien, Ryan Martin, Michael Read, Richard McCann, Shaun O Callaghan, Tyrone Mitchell, Ronan McKillop, Cal O Brien, Jamie Montgomery, Oisin O Mullin, Ciaran Campbell, Joseph O Rawe.
Sub: Ciaron McQuillan for Ryan Martin 45 mins
Not used: Dara Killough, Niall Devine