SemiFinalClontarf_U14s_SFAI_National_Cup

As the dust has settled on our U14s epic journey in the SFAI Cup, which ultimately ended in defeat to St. Kevins boys, it is with so much pride that all in the club celebrate this amazing group of boys.

It was great to see so many players, coaches, parents , family and friends from Clontarf FC in Santry on the day to cheer on the lads. Included in the crowd was Calvagh Cullinane who played with this group until u9 before moving away.

Calvagh put together his report on the game and passed it on to Padraig. I think you will agree he caught the sense of the game perfectly.

MATCH REPORT by Calvagh Cullinane

You could feel the tension in the air as the day of the SFAI semi final between Clontarf FC and St. Kevins rolled around. Clontarf kicked off and the game started very tightly with both teams not giving each other an inch. They both knew that it was going to be a very close game going into it and you could see that neither of them wanted to take risks.

Kevins started to build some momentum but they were not successful in getting past the two Clontarf centre backs Seánie Whelton and Max Murphy. Clontarf also had their fair share of attacks with Cormac Nol and captain Marc Woods applying pressure down the wings.

Kevin's were doing well to get past Clontarf's relentless high press at the goal kicks. There were also big battles between  Kevin's and Clontarf's midfielders in the centre of the park with Eddie Ross and Ryan Caffrey in the thick of the 50/50 challenges.

Kevin's also got two big chances on the counter attack after Clontarf corners. Great defence from David Pepper and Max Murphy stopped the first and an unbelievable save from goalkeeper Seán DeBurca to stop the second shot from Kevin's winger Cole Dillon. Clontarf also had a good chance with a great stop from Kevin's keeper denying Cormac Nol's effort. Clontarf also had great players coming off the bench with Robbie Porter and Jake Osborne both coming on. The first half ended 0-0.

The second half got underway after the tense first half. You could hear the Clontarf coaches and the parents shouting encouragement at their players and sons.

The second half started a lot like the first, with both teams playing it very safe. It was tit for tat, with Clontarf attacking in Kevin's half one minute and then Kevin's getting on the attack the next. It was nail-biting stuff. Clontarf then probably got the biggest chance of the match, with striker Derrin Jonmark tackling the Kevin's defender, going one on one with the keeper and then squaring the ball to Jake Osborne who got good connection with the shot, but the keeper somehow managed to save it.

The game opened up a bit after that and you had no idea who was going to score. Clontarf left back Lucío Colella was having a brilliant game with great defending and attacking down the left flank. With 20 minutes to go, St. Kevin's no. 8 Alex O' Reilly broke the deadlock with a fine finish into the bottom corner of the Clontarf net. The Clontarf boys didn't drop the heads though and kept attacking with a really high intensity.

Substitutions were made with 15 minutes to go with Zaïd Almesry coming on for Dylan Jordan who put in a great shift. It was becoming excruciatingly hard for Clontarf to equalise as Kevin's had all their bodies back and were defending heroically, but they kept on fighting for a place in the final. Clontarf had a few more frees but it wasn't enough as the full time whistle blew with St. Kevin's coming out on top.

Despite losing the tie, Clontarf almost made the final of the SFAI cup and had a magical run in the tournament. Every player played their hearts out and they will come back stronger. This could not have been done without their exceptional coaches - Urban Monks, Padraig Whelton, Peter Woods and Mark Caffrey.