February 16, 2011
By Staff Reporter
The U-10 semifinal between defending champs Rangers and St. Raymond’s produced some exciting football at Paddy’s Field on Sunday morning, with Rangers emerging 3-5 to 2-2 winners behind centerfielder Ronan McGoldrick’s 2-1.
McGoldrick helped out in other ways as well, helping out in defense and setting up scores. His long ball to the inrushing Brian Durkin midway in the second half resulted in the goal that sealed the St. Raymond’s fate.
Anton Ramon, Martin Lowery, P.J. Shannon, Brian Twomey, Sean O’Neill, and Brendan Cullinan each played major roles for Rangers. St. Raymond’s best were David Kilkenny, Niall Boldon 1-0, Tom Enright 1-0, Sean Brady, Pat O’Connor, Chris Bowlen and Sean Slattery.
In the U-12 semifinal, Rangers got the better of a very determined St. Joseph’s, 3-5 to 1-3. With just a kick of the ball between the sides in the second half, a six-player Rangers movement out of defense — led by Peter Woods, Stephen Cassels, Lorcan Malone, Sean Twomey, Chris Cassels to Denis McGoldrick — ended with McGoldrick rounding his marker and sending a rocket to the net.
Then, fielding the kick-out, Dan Kenny sent Lorcan Malone on a solo down the wing. His perfect cross to Mike Carrigy set up Mike O’Sullivan for Rangers third goal.
Colin Murray, P.J. Wagner, Pierce Cassels, Ronan McGoldrick and Tim Lynch were superb for Rangers. Mike Ruane, Mike Diaz, Matt Gormley 1-0, Rory Gourley, John Power, Colleen Gilly, Chris Fitzsimmons, Anthony Hassett, Shane O’Hanlon, Finnola O’Hanlon, Steve Brooks, Jimmy Ruane, Declan O’Donnell, Wade Shoulder and Francis McKenna 0-3 was the St. Joseph’s team.
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In the third semifinal, St. Barnabas ousted defending champions Rockland, 2-6 to 0-3. St. Barnabas started in whirlwind fashion with Thomas Brady sending a piledriver to the net after a great set up by Thomas Nelis and Mickey Butler. Thomas Brady got two minors, before Steve Spellman got two brilliant long-range points for Rockland. A rock-solid St. Barnabas defense led by Pat Hallinan, Bobby Chambers, Brian McGovern and Gerard Dunleavy shut down many promising Rockland scoring chances.
Jack Hannon 1-0, Timmy Murray and Conor Hogan impressed for St. Barnabas. Catching the eye for Rockland were Stephen Spellman 0-3, Nick Mangan, Emmett Woods, Sean McGrath, Conor Whelan, Dillon Maye, John White and Thomas O’Connell.
On Saturday at Paddy’s Field, St. Barnabas advanced to the U-10 final with a 3-3 to 0-2 victory over Celtics. Outstanding for St. Barnabas were man of the match Padraig McDaid, Brian McGovern, Conor Hogan, Liam Deane, Anthony Ciena and Patrick Hallinan. Celtics’ best were Daniel Tierney, Chris O’Connor, Kelly McArdle, Conor Hegarty and Michael Lane.
St. Barnabas also had victories over Celtics at U-14, 2-6 to 0-5, and in U-16, 1-9 to 0-4.
Next week
Saturday, 2:30 p.m., at Paddy’s Field, U-10 final, Rangers vs. St. Barnabas; Sunday, 9:30 a.m., at Gaelic Park, U-16 final, Rockland vs. St. Barnabas; 11 a.m., U-12 final, St. Barnabas vs. Rangers.