U12 SFAI INTER LEAGUE MATCH REPORT
U12 SFAI INTER LEAGUE MATCH REPORT
WICKLOW YELLOW 6
Four first half goals saw Wicklow secure the runners-up spot in Group C of the U12 SFAI Inter League.
Rian Callahan helped himself a stunning hat-trick on the all-weather at Travers Insurances Park in Arklow on Sunday afternoon as they proved too good for the Midlanders.
The damage was done between the fifth and 17th minutes as the hosts claimed all their opening period scores in the sensational 13-minute spell.
The NECSL had won the section after they defeated NDSL 5-2 at the Oscar Traynor Centre on Saturday.
Having defeated the Midlands 5-1 last November, the NECSL overcame the Garden County outfit 1-0 last month at the NDL Grounds.
Wicklow had also previously drawn 1-1 with the NDSL in Arklow last November (but won on penalties). But the Midlands had also beaten the NDSL 6-3 in Dublin in January.
There was no doubt the end result in their final group outing as Wicklow hit the front in the fifth minute. From Rex Verveen’s deep corner, Callahan headed in at the back post.
That lead was doubled in the ninth minute. From a throw in their own half down the right flank, the ball came to Aidan Cronin-Kenny. The striker created space to crack in a low 20-yard drive.
On the quarter hour, a cross from the right picked out Verveen. He turned brilliantly to fire in a fantastic 16-yard left footed shot to the top left corner of the net.
Then just 90 seconds later, home custodian Domhnall Jennings’ free picked out Callahan. He then found the net with sublime 25-yard lob.
The second half was a more even contest. But Wicklow again made their chances count.
Sub Eoghan Ryan and Verveen were involved before Callahan completed his treble in style in the 39th by blasting in from 12-yards.
In the first minute of stoppage time. Zak Hanlon’s effort was tipped onto the bar. The rebound came to Patrick Doyle who thundered a superb attempt from 15-yards.
WICKLOW YELLOW: Domhnall Jennings; Patrick Doyle, Shane Lynch; Rian Callahan; Harry Mernagh, Ronan Merrigan, Rex Verveen, Harry Duffy; Aidan Cronin-Kenny.
SUBS: Zack Gough; Zak Hanlon., Eoghan Ryan, Aaron Carey, Finlay Clare.
MIDLANDS GREEN: Danny Dalton; Dylan Kelly, Tristan Allen, Darragh Waters; Senan Keena, Cian Mooney; Hubert Socha, Jack Ryan; Cillian Moran.
SUBS; Sean McLoughlin, Sam Gunning, Oisin Kenny, Cillian Cleary, Kyle Madden, Pauric Usher, Oran Lawlor.
REFEREE: Tony Doran (Wicklow ISRS).
Report by Paul Dowling
