FÉ11 WFL Div1 YOUGHAL 1-6 BALLINACOURTY 1-4

U11 footballers clinch Division 1 League title and win the DOUBLE.... On the 10th October our U11 panel welcomed Ballinacourty to Magniershill for an eagerly anticipated winner takes all clash on a fine Friday for our final football league match in the Waterford Town & Country Division 1 League. Both teams had gone through the whole league campaign unbeaten up to this, but the fact that Youghal had drawn its opening fixture away to Rathgormack, meant nothing short of victory would do the Youghal boys.

You could sense from the mood around the pitch that this was no ordinary league match, and the large crowd that gathered paid testament to this. The referee Jim Daly threw in the ball right on time and the match started at a ferocious pace and it must be said it continued right up to the final whistle, which all players from both sides must be complimented on. It wasn’t long before Youghal began to take control in midfield and started to create some good scoring chances. The highlight of the first half was the move which led to Youghal scoring the opening goal. The ball was worked up the field from the full back line and after several inter passes, it found its way to Josh ‘Gooch’ Persuad where he finished it with a superb shot to the top corner, giving the keeper no chance. At halftime the score line read Youghal 1-5, Ballinacourty 0-1.

​In the second half, the game continued as it did in the first half, but Ballinacourty to their credit, began to assert themselves on the match. In fact during the mid 15 minute period they scored 1-4 without reply. But to the Youghal boys credit, they regained their composure in the last couple of minutes and created a few chances of their own, one of which, Devon O’Donoghue coolly slotted the ball over the bar. This was the insurance point Youghal needed and when the referee finally brought an end to the match, jubilant scenes ensued. 

It was a special night for these lads as they completed the double. Each of the players deserve great credit for the hard work and skill shown throughout the league campaign. A special mention to Josh ‘Gooch’ Persuad, our best footballer all year, sometimes unplayable and definitely has a bright future ahead. Another great night for this panel of players and I am sure there will be many more to follow.

U11 Panel - Wisdom Sobo, Morgan Twohig, Oisin Hill, Ruairi Fitzgerald, Conor Savage, Cúlann Geary, Sean O Riordan, Michael Breathnach (0-1), Devon O Donoghue (0-1), Enda Cronin (0-1), Kyle Joyce (0-1), Josh Persuad (1-1), Eoin McGrath, Sean Hehir, Fionn Gardiner, Conor McArdle, Conor Butler Roche, Nathan Daly (0-1), Chris Brophy, Eoin Sheridan, David Murphy & Panos Karousos. Missing on the night were Aidan Perry (Inj), Seamus Ó Maitiú and Declan Daly.

​Well done also to Alan Geary, Pat Mackey and Alan Fox.