U17 Ballyheigue 2 v 1 Samphires (Scorer Cormac Lynch)
The 17s team lost the opening game of the year away to Ballyheigue last weekend after a close game. It was decent performance by our lads but we didn’t score the chances that came our way especially in the second half. Our scorer was Cormac Lynch in the first half and it was level scores at half time.We had a good performance in the second but didn’t add to our total and unfortunately lost out to a very late goal.
U15 Mastergeeha v Samphires – Mastergeeha (Scorers Eddie McCarthy(3), Robert Monaghan)
Our u15s played our first game of the season away to Mastergeeha. After being promoted last season, this year will be a much tougher test. We started very well taking the lead through Eddie McCarthy. Our play was mixed with some flashes of outstanding play. Great credit must be given to Keith O’Mahony in goals who pulled off some fantastic saves. We finished the half 2-1 ahead at half time. Robert Monaghan scored an outstanding goal early on in the second half by beating two defenders and finding the top corner and Eddie McCarthy completed his hat-trick with ten mins to go to make it 4-3. But with two minutes to go we conceded a late goal to share the points.
U13 Samphires 4 v 3 LB Rovers (Scorers Aaron Harty (2), Tom Quilter(2))
The 13s started the new season with a win at home vs LB Rovers. Both teams set out their stall early to play a passing game it was a good game all through. LB took the lead with a good counter attack at pace. We equalised through Aaron Harty who was menacing throughout and Tom Quilter deservedly gave us the lead just before half time. Aaron was on the mark again just after half time and were looking good with Jack Dwyer in goals, Jack and Charlie Nolan, Dominic Regan, Jack MacCarthy, Tomás Godley and Cian McKenna solid at the back. In the middle Rory Boyd, Tiernan O’Sullivan and Billy Doyle had good games with Tom Quilter and Jayden Deady raiding on the wings supplying the crosses. We conceded a harsh penalty in the middle of the second half to make it 3-2 but we redoubled our efforts and Tom restored our 2 goal advantage with 10 to go. LB scored in the last minute but we held on in injury time to win 4-3.
U12A Samphires 11 v 2 Listowel B (Scorers Aaron Harty, Tom Quilter, Jayden Deady, Cian McKenna,
We played Listowel B U12 team in a Div 1 match in Samphire Park last Saturday afternoon. It was a lovely afternoon for soccer and the first League Match of the season for both teams. Most of our players played earlier in the day with the 13s but we started the stronger and really put it up to Listowel from the very start and attacked at every opportunity. A few early goals from Jayden Deady and Aaron Harty settled us early and from this we launched many attacks. Midway in the first half Listowel started to get up to the tempo and both sides were playing flowing football. It must be noted that their goalkeeper was on top form and kept his side in it in the first half. Our defence kept a good shape led by Jack Nolan and Cian McKenna with our wingers Tom Quilter, and Charlie Nolan ran the pitch all day to keep the pressure on. Fenit led 4-0 at the half.
The 2nd half saw much of the same and Samphires showed their domination with another few goals, again with Aaron and Jayden providing. We made a few substitutes and this changed the game slightly. Listowel started to press our defence and eventually this paid off with Listowel getting on the score sheet. Within minutes Listowel got a free kick at the edge of the square and a fine free kick resulted in a 2nd goal for them. However normal service resumed with us getting another 2 goals through Tom and Cian both aided by Kealen. Final result Samphires 11 Listowel 2. A geat all round team performance.
U12B St.Brendans Park B 2 v 0 Samphires
The U12B’s started their season with a defeat to a good St Brendan’s Park U12 team in St Brendan’s Park Tralee. Both teams started strongly and were evenly matched in the first 15 minutes. However the home team struck first with a spectacular goal from distance and doubled their advantage soon afterwards despite a great save from Jake Clifford who was outstanding in goals for us. The second saw Samphires push to get back in the match and we were unlucky to have a goal from Michael O’Sullivan ruled out for offside. Both sides had a number of chances in the second half but we could not get the goal we needed to put pressure on the home team. A good learning experience and good performances and effort from the entire squad.