On Friday night, November 29th our U19 youth team took part in the Daly Industrial Supplies U19 League Cup final against Killumney United at Turner’s Cross, KO 7.30pm.

After a fantastic semi-final win on the previous Sunday against unbeaten Mayfield, hopes were high that this team could go all the way and bring home their first piece of silverware since joining the Cork Youth League two seasons ago.

In recent weeks the team has been playing probably their best football since last season when this team made history by getting to the last four in Ireland in the U18 National Cup however this was our first time meeting this opposition and so little was known about them.

The pitch and conditions were almost perfect at kick off time with a slight breeze blowing in favour of the Killumney side. It was Killumney who quickly got off the mark with a number of breaks down both flanks and forcing Celtic to defend deep in their own half early on. Both teams were getting used to the pitch and dealing with nerves and neither ’keeper had much to do in the opening 20 mins.

As in the previous games in the cup our defence was well on top with Shane Moroney, Christopher Murphy, Declan Varner and Brian O’Donovan in no mood to concede anything. As the first half went on Celtic gradually got on top in midfield where Cian Kearney, Shane Fenton, Ryan Buckley and Coran Lawlor combined well. Up front the deadly duo of Ronan Bransfield and Anthony Spillane were getting a lot of attention from the Killumney back four. Anthony in particular was double and treble marked at times, but when he did get on the ball you could sense he would still cause problems.

Just before half-time Castlebridge won a free kick 25 yards out directly in front of the goal. Anto hit a bullet of a shot which cannoned off the crossbar with the ’keeper well beaten and as the ball rebounded, Killumney broke to the other end where Brian O’Donovan had to clear the goal line with the ’keeper beaten. A goal at this stage of the game for either side would have been crucial, but it remained scoreless at half-time.

With the wind advantage increasing in their favour, the second half started with Castlebridge on the front foot. Shane Fenton was put through with a lovely through ball only to see his chip go the wrong side of the post. Three corner kicks were then forced in quick succession before Brian O’Donovan curled a fourth corner kick towards the near post where a luckless Killumney defender could only help it on its way to the net. One nil to Castlebridge!

The game turned our way completely 10 mins later when Anto Spillane picked up a cross field pass and taking two defenders with him across the edge of the area, hit a low cross-shot into the bottom corner to score a great goal and put us on the way to victory.

Coran Lawlor finished off a great move with 15 mins remaining and 5 mins later put the icing on the cake as he hit a superb volley from the edge of the box after Killumney failed to clear the danger from another corner kick.

There were joyous scenes at the end of the game as the many supporters, family and friends joined the players on the pitch to celebrate.

Shane Fenton accepted the cup and Anthony Spillane got man of the match for another tremendous display.

A first trophy for Castlebridge at youth level and a very memorable night for all associated with the club. Well done to Gary Murphy and Mike Hegarty especially for their work with this team over the past number of weeks and not forgetting Paul McNulty and Martin Duggan, who started this team out as U17s two years ago. There was a lot of proud faces in Turner’s Cross and hopefully we will see more from this team in the remainder of this season.

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