By Anthony Horgan

Youghal Utd 3 – Lakewood 0

Back Row: Liam Ryan, Mick Durkin, Sean Kenneally, Mark Hennessey, Brett Maloney, Jamie Clarkin, Brendan O’Sullivan, Barry Goggin, Robert Cronin, Mossie Clohesy, Anthony Horgan

Front Row: Shane Ryan, Ger Cotter, Paul Hennessey, Darren Hennessey, Anthony Kelly, Chris Hennessey, Paul Moylan, Dave O’Brien

This game promised to be an exciting encounter under the lights at Ardrath Park on Friday night 7th March ,as the outcome of this tie was going to be very significant as to where the league title would go this season. Youghal started the game well and you knew they were up for this tie from the first whistle. Youghal began the match like they finished it playing a high tempo fast flowing game which I think the visitors could not deal with. The tackles were flying in as the lads hunted in packs and put pressure on Lakewood in every area of pitch. The defenders were well organised and worked very well as a unit and the mid fielders/forwards linked up superbly.

The lads had a couple of excellent attacking moves where they moved the ball out wide and down the line quickly with the resulting cross not reaching the intended player but you had a sense that the opener was not far away.

No score then at half time and the visitors would have been happiest with this score line. Youghal took a well earned rest at the interval and listened to the half time talk in the dressing room where the second half attack was plotted. The lads again started this half the stronger and troubled Lakewood with some slick passing. Five minutes in the breakthrough came when Shane Ryan passed to Ger Cotter on the right wing and his left footed pass across the edge of the box found Brendan O’ Sullivan who volleyed the ball in off the right hand post to give Youghal a well deserved goal. This was a well worked move and the finish was second to none.

The home side were in command now holding possession and frustrating Lakewood who were forced into giving away frees and picking up yellow cards. On 75 mins a straight swap Paul Hennessey on for the tired Shane Ryan who ran his heart out. With ten minutes remaining Youghal scored again when Ger Cotter ran straight through the middle and found Paul Moylan who chested the ball into his own path and fired a shot with his left past the onrushing keeper. Lakewood had no answer for this Youghal side who were organised and much fitter. Soon after Chris Hennessey came on for the hard working Anthony Kelly and Youghal sealed victory with another top drawer finish – this time it was Paul Moylan won the ball in the middle of the park and Ger Cotter picked it up had a quick look and spotted the keeper off his line where he lobbed him from 25 yards.

This was the icing on the cake as Lakewood who were unbeaten all season and at such a crucial stage of the campaign get hammered 3-0 by title contenders Youghal United. As you can see from the league standings below our fate is now in our own hands with just five games remaining. We have a serious chance of bringing silver ware back to the town and give sport in town a much needed boost.

Team: J.Clarkin, B.Maloney, A.Kelly, B.Goggin, M.Hennessey, S.Ryan, D.Hennessey, R.Cronin, G.Cotter, P.Moylan, B.O’Sullivan

Subs: P.Hennessey, C.Hennessey, M.Clohesy, S.Kenneally(injured)

 

LEAGUE TABLE

Ply   Pts   1   Lakewood   14   27     2   Midleton   13   26     3   Glasheen   13   26     4   Youghal Utd   11   23     5   CIT   11   21     6   Templemount Celtic   13   12     7   Bandon   11   9     8   Garryduff   12   6     9   Casement Celtic   12   2

 

All-Weather Pitch

The clubs all-weather pitch is available for hire at €25 per hour for five a side pitch or €50 for a full pitch. The man to contact is Jamie on 086-3461540