Samphires Under 16s made their exit from the National Cup last weekend at home to Regional Utd from Limerick on a scoreline of 9-1. While a team never likes to lose and especially on a scoreline like this we must appreciate the quality of the opposition which for the most part is populated by players from the ETP (Emerging Talent Program) program in Limerick. Indeed some of their players have been capped for Ireland so we were up against it. From the start we were on the back foot and lost a goal after 10 minutes and 2 down after 15. By the half it was 5 and the game was over as a contest but our lads decided to keep going no matter what in the second half and gave a good account of themselves. We were forced to make a few subs at half time through injuries to a number of players and the enforced reorganisation didn’t help the cause but everyone did their bit and nobody on the field gave up which was all that we can ask and even in the tough situation in which we found ourselves, we scored a smashing goal midway through the second half when Jimmy scored after Thomas and Bobby combined well on the wing. We tired towards the end and conceded a couple of late goals which made the scoreline a bit harsher than we deserved. Well done to all our players on the day who never gave up. Also again thanks to the parents who contributed towards the refreshments after the match and especially to those who helped out with the teas and coffees etc.
Squad: Eoghan O’Brien, David Murphy, Jamie Hogan, Antóin Stanton, John O’Shea, Bobby O’Regan, Jack McCarthy, Padraig O’Connor, Thomas Lenihan,David Egan, Cian MacGarry, Sean Higgins,Thomas Dwyer, Jimmy Shanahan,Darren Bastible,Louis Ryle,Luke Dalton.