Under 11 Division 3

RIVERSTOWN FC 0 GLOUNTHAUNE UNITED 4

On a freezing morning Riverstown entertained the high riding Glounthaune team at the Knockraha pitch. The match started at a fairly cracking pace with both teams trying to get the first goal. It was Glounthaune who broke the deadlock after 10 minutes of play when the Riverstown defence failed to clear from a melee in their 18 yard area.

Glounthaune kept pressing for a second goal and were rewarded 6 minutes later with their second goal. In the 20th minute of the first half the Riverstown 'keeper, Alan Costello was injured and was replaced by Michal Sady's. Riverstown had a few attempts on the Glounthaune goal but were unable to score. The half time score was 2 - 0 to Glounthaune.

Glounthaune began the second half at a cracking pace and scored their 3rd goal within minutes of the restart. Riverstown were unable to get into the game and in the 15th minute Stephen Kennedy and Jonathan Mullane replaced Eddie Barry and Luke Thorley respectively.

Riverstown began applying more pressure and were unlucky not to score as the Glounthaune defence held firm. In the 22nd minute Glounthaune scored their fourth goal after a good buildup. Riverstown kept trying to get on the scoresheet but were unable to penetrate the Glounthane defence and the match ended with Glounthaune winning 4 - 0.

The Riverstown Team - Alan Costello (Michal Sady's), Jack O'Neill, Cian Ahern, Greg Grantham, Tadgh O'Brien, Padraig Manning, Eddie Barry (Stephen Kennedy), Paul Leopold, Declan McCarthy, Conor Murphy and Luke Thorley (Jonathan Mullane).

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Under 11 Division 3

BALLINCOLLIG A 2 RIVERSTOWN FC 2

Ballincollig entertained Riverstown on Sunday 23rd December in what was expected to be a lively match with Ballincollig breathing down Riverstown’s neck in the league.

Riverstown started more brightly of the two teams and were 1 – 0 up after 10 minutes when Declan McCarthy opened the scoring. Seventeen minutes later Ballincollig levelled the score with a well taken goal after the Riverstown team had fallen asleep.

Worse was to come for Riverstown when the offside trap failed and Ballincollig scored their second goal 3 minutes later. This was the score at half time.

Riverstown started the second half brightly and came close to scoring on a number of occasions but were unable to put the ball in the back of the net. Riverstown equalised from the penalty spot with Conor Murphy converting the penalty kick. Riverstown were unable to break the Ballincollig defence with their ‘keeper pulling off a fantastic save to keep the ball out of the net. Riverstown kept pressing looking for the winner but we unable convert any chances and the match finished 2 – all.

 

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Under 11 Division 3

RIVERSTOWN FC 8 LAKEWOOD ATHLETIC A 1

After 2 good wins in their two previous matches Riverstown kicked off and were immediately put under pressure by a Lakewood side who have still to win a match in the league. In the fifth minute Lakewood deservedly went ahead after defensive slip up by the Riverstown defence.

The Riverstown team were knocked by this goal and they began to concentrate and play football as it should, by pushing the ball around and were soon rewarded with a penalty in the 8th minute which Conor Murphy converted.

Lakewood began attacking from the kick-off but the Riverstown defence of Tadgh O’Brien, Greg Grantham, Jack O’Neill and Declan McCarthy held firm. Alan Costello in goals had one save to make during this period.

In the 19th minute Eddie Barry scored Riverstown’s second goal with a great shot from just inside the big box. Riverstown began to dominate and their midfield of Eddie Barry, Robert McIllhinney, Paul Leopold and Padraig Manning were controlling play and were giving Conor and Ronon Crowley every opportunity of increasing the score. However the Lakewood defence held firm and cleared a number of balls off the line.

In the 24th minute Conor scored his second to put Riverstown 3 – 1 ahead. This was the score at half – time.

Riverstown replaced Ronon Crowley with Luke Thorley at half time and this soon paid dividends with Luke scoring Riverstown’s fourth goal 3 minutes into the second half. Riverstown were dominating all aspects of the game and Conor made way for Jonathon Mullane. A minute later Robert McIllhinney scored Riverstown’s fifth goal with a great shot from the right of the goals. Padraig Manning made it 6 – 1 in the 39th minute with a great goal. Padraig came off a few minutes later with Cian Ahern coming on at left back and Declan McCarthy moving to right midfield.

Jack O’Neill was also retired with Caelen Wheel-Porter replacing him at right back. In the 52nd minute Paul Leopold scored Riverstown’s seventh goal. The Lakewood goal held a charmed life with a number of shots being cleared of the line or going past the posts. In the 55th minute Robert McIllhinney scored his second after the Lakewood ‘keeper had failed to hold a shot and tapped it into an empty net.

The Lakewood defence held firm for the rest of the second half with Riverstown winning 8 – 1.

Riverstown’s next match is against Mallow on Sunday 9th December in Mallow.

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Under 11 Division 3

RIVERSTOWN FC 3 STRAND UNITED 1

Riverstown Under 11A played Strand in a league match on their home pitch at Knockraha on Saturday 10th November. The Riverstown team were still in an upbeat mood after defeating Leeds in their previous match.

One change was made to the team from the previous match with Conor Murphy replacing Jonathan Mullane up front on the left. The match started at a cracking pace, and with Riverstown playing with the wind at their backs they began attacking from the start. Strand, who are top of the league then began to settle and began to pressurize the defensive four of Tadgh O’Brien, Greg Grantham, Declan McCarthy and Jack O’Neill. Allan Costello in goals, was called on to make a few saves and the Riverstown defence held firm.

After 15 minutes of play Riverstown were awarded a direct free kick just outside the 18 yard box on the left hand side. Padraig Manning stepped up to take the kick and took a beauty which took a slight deflection off one of the defenders and sailed into the net for Riverstown’s first goal.

From Strands kick-off Riverstown gained possession and the ball was passed to Conor Murphy on the left who cut inside and just inside the 18 yard box took a beauty of a shot that also took a deflection and went into the back of the net for Riverstown second goal. From the kick-off Strand began to apply pressure but Riverstown midfield of Eddie Barry, Paul Leopold, Robert McEllhinney and Padraig Manning put in some stirling work and took control of the midfield and played really attractive passing soccer.

Strand began to get back into the game just before half time but some firm tackling and clearing by Tadgh O’Brien and Greg Grantham at centre back kept the Strand forwards at bay until a long through ball broke through their defence and Strand scored in the 29th minute.

Half time came with Riverstown 2 - 1 up. Ronon Crowley was substituted after picking up an injury to his right thigh. Cian Ahern came on at left back and Declan McCarthy went up front with Conor Murphy.

Strand, with the wind at their backs began the second half in a confident mood after scoring just before half time and began pressurising the Riverstown goal and Allan Costello was called on to make a number of fine saves. The defence and midfielders pulled together and prevented the Strand forwards from scoring with some fine defending. Riverstown began to settle and began pushing the ball around and a fine through ball to Conor Murphy resulted in Conor outrunning the defence and slotting home a fine third goal for Riverstown in the 15th minute of the second half.

In the 55th minute Jack O’Neill who had a stirling game at right back was replaced by Stephen Kennedy as a set of fresh defensive legs were needed.

The rest of the game was played at a fairly brisk pace with neither team able to break the others defence. Once again this was a fantastic team effort which resulted in this fine 3-1 victory. The next match is another home match against Lakewood Athletic A on Sunday 25th November.

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Under 11 Division 3

RIVERSTOWN FC 6 LEEDS 2

Riverstown U11A’s played Leeds U11A's on Sunday 28th October and recorded a well deserved 6 - 2 victory. Eddie Barry opened the scoring after 12 minutes and then scored Riverstown’s second in the 20th minute. Jonathan Mullane had an opportunity to put Riverstown further ahead but unfortunately pushed his shot wide. Leeds then began applying pressure and the Riverstown goal was put under pressure by a determined Leeds team for the rest of the first half. Riverstown’s defence of Tadgh O’Brien, Greg Grantham, Jack O’Neill, Declan McCarthy and goalkeeper Allan Costello held firm to keep the score line 2 – 0 at the break.

From the kick-off in the second half Leeds applied pressure on the Riverstown defence and were soon rewarded when a direct free-kick went in off the far upright giving Allan Costello no chance.

Riverstown then began playing attractive passing football and were then soon rewarded by a great Padraig Manning goal to make it 3 -1. Riverstown continued to pressure Leeds and were soon rewarded after a goal bound shot from Padraig Manning was assisted in by Ronan Crowley to make the score 4 – 1. Riverstown’s tails were up and they carried on applying pressure on the Leeds defence who had the off-side trap perfected and prevented any further breakthroughs by the Riverstown forwards. Paul Leopold soon took matters into his own hands and took on the Leeds defence and scored a great goal from an acute angle on the left to make it 5 -1.

A big clearance by the Leeds midfield caught the Riverstown defence napping and they scored to make it 5 -2. Leeds then began applying pressure again and a great save by Alan Costello prevented them from scoring a third. With 5 minutes to go Robert McIlhinney scored a great goal from the right to make the final score 6 – 2.

This was a great team effort from team who have been struggling to find their form in their past few matches. This result takes them up to 5th position in their league with Avondale just ahead of them on goal difference.

 

Eddie Barry scoring Riverstown's second goal against Leeds.

 

Jack O'Neill clearing his lines, watched by Tadgh O'Brien and Robert McIlhenny

 

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Under 11 Division 3

AVONDALE UTD A 1 RIVERSTOWN FC 1

Riverstown created plenty of opportunities and went ahead in the 20th minute with a great goal by Padraigh Manning. Avondale also had one or two opportunities which they were unable to convert. They equalised early in the second half and had a further opportunity shortly thereafter to take the lead but some great defending kept them out. Riverstown then took the initiative but were unable to score the winner with the Avondale defence holding firm and playing the offside trap a treat.

 

Under 11 Division 3

GLOUNTHAUNE UNITED 6 RIVERSTOWN FC 2

Riverstown gave a brave performance in their opening Division 3 game against neighbours Glounthaune United. They came back from behind on two occasions in the first half with goals from Padraig Manning and Luke Thorley to tie the game 2 - 2 at the break. Although they never gave up and went close through Declan McCarthy, Adam Brennan and Alan Costello, it was Glounthaune who got the all important goals in the second half to record a comfortable win.