U12 Girls Make History
MEK 0 v 1 Samphires (Scorer Alisha Deady)
Our U12’s played away to Killarney MEK(Mid & East Kerry) last Friday in what was their last League game for 2019 and the Division 1 decider. These teams were very evenly matched at their last meeting so Friday night was going to be very entertaining. There was huge Fenit support which added to a fabulous atmosphere. As predicted these two sides were well matched and both defences held very strong. There wasn’t much between both sides but our counterattacks were penetrating the MEK defence and eventually we scored before the half-time whistle. The 2nd half was similar with both defences winning their battles. MEK had chances but our goal keeper was on fire same can also be said for MEK’s keeper. It finished 1-0 and the win was purely down to a team performance. Fenit won U12 Division 1 for 2019 with Cara Kelly captaining the team and Alisha Deady getting girl of the match. Well done to all involved especially Aoife Kelly and John Quilter for their management of the team and dedication throughout the season. It is a great boost for all in the club and a great reward for the trainers of all the girls’ teams who have trained week in, week out since last August and before. The first ever trophy won by a Samphires Girls team… another little piece of history for our club.
U13 Boys:Samphires 4 v 5 Park B (Scorers Aaron Harty (2), Cian McKenna, Jayden Deady)
Hard luck to the boys 13s team who lost out in the last kick of the game to a good Park team. We started poorly and went 2 down as the team seemed a bit overawed but then we got our game together and started to create our own chances. It was 3-2 to the Park at half time. We had the wind in the second half and made it tell but Park had very dangerous runners on the break which we struggled with. It was 4 all with 2 minutes to go and we took a chance leaving a number of players up the pitch in the hope of getting one on the break but it was the Park who forced the winner. Well done to both teams on such an exciting game.
U15 Community Games Girls Soccer
Great day in Mastergeeha for the u15 community games girls soccer team with most of players coming from the u14 Fenit Samphires team. First up was a game verus Duagh. We started brightly and created some early chances which we were unlucky not to convert. The defence was outstanding against older Duagh team and it finished a nil all draw. We then faced Kenmare for a place in the Munster finals. We were unlucky to concede a goal in the first half following early pressure and Grace Stack in goals made some great saves but after
this initial period we were completely on top and had a couple of good scoring opportunities and just couldn’t convert unfortunately and it ended 1 nil to Kenmare who go on to Munster.
The defence of Grace Stack in goals Clara O Dowd, Laura Reilly, Aoife O Brien and Isabelle Moriarty were really outstanding all day. The midfield of Aoife Greaney, Jess Mc Gibney, Lucy Murphy, Alison Moriarty never stopped working. Upfront Alica Cronin, Lana Gaudino, Orlaith Mc Kenna, Ava Mc Cann were a constant threat.
Silver medallists…well done all.
U12 Community Games Girls Soccer
U10 Community Games Munster Finals Boys Soccer
Great performances from Fenit Samphires players in the community games U10 indoor soccer on Saturday. The lads represented Kerry with distinction. They beat Tipperary side Newport in the semifinal leading from the start and playing some great football. We conceded two late goals to make it a little nervy at the end but hung on to qualify through to the final.
There we played Limerick side Ahane Castleconnell who had beaten Clare and Cork. We took the lead through Cillian O’Brien in the first half and had 2 other great chances but couldn’t get the important 2nd goal. This came back to haunt us as the Limerick side started to push on and put us under pressure. We defended stoutly but were unlucky to concede when a snapshot took a wicked deflection and ended up in the corner of the goal. Shortly afterwards a defence mix up gave the Limerick side their own real clear cut chance which they took to take the lead 2-1. We fought back and had another couple of half chances but couldn’t force an equalizer.
The lads were devastated but should be very proud of their efforts. To come from such a small community and go all the way to the Munster Final was a truly great achievement. Fenit players Dara Harty Luke OCarroll Cillian Burns Cillian O’Brien Austin Donnellan Conor Nolan and Danny Gazi
Special thanks to Dave for exta training for the team and especially to St Brendans Park FC U10’s who provided a tough practice match for the boys before the finals to help get them ready.
Easter Raffle Results
Thank you to all who supported the Samphires Annual Easter Raffle. It is very much appreciated as the number of teams in the club has mushroomed in the last couple of years.
The Winners are
- Norma O’Donoghue
- Ciaran Dywer
- Mike O’Neill
- Kevin Wiseman