League

Strand
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) The field was rather wet after several days of rain when Cacey McBrandon took the kick off in the first half of the match. Oliver McBrand blasted a shot towards the goal in the 2nd minute, but the shot hit the top of the crossbar and went out without Isaac Colwell having to make a save. Rorke Barrett hit a great freekick 5 minutes into the match. Rorry Mulvihill stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Beag McLaughlin's shot from short distance in the 7th minute. Cacey McBrandon sent away a hard shot on goal in the 8th minute, but the ball hit the crossbar and went out. A very good chance for a goal. If Oliver McBrand had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 10th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. After having played for 13 minutes, Nollaig McBrand managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Strand's supporters crossed their fingers, but Nollaig McBrand was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. A collision led to Ballyleen getting a freekick after 16 minutes play. Bard Tracy hit a great ball. In the 20th minute, Nollaig McBrand made a precise shot to the right of Isaac Colwell. Ballyleen's defense was at fault, and the scoreboard reflected the new score, 1-0. If Nollaig McBrand had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 24th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. In a very dangerous position, a player in Strand fell when an opponent tried to get the ball from him in the 27th minute. Penalty! Brenan Mullan shot the penalty kick right outside the post. Rorry Mulvihill stood for a superb save when he managed to get hold of Beag McLaughlin's shot from short distance in the 30th minute. Oliver McBrand received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 32nd minute. Isaac Colwell tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. After having played for 33 minutes, Nollaig McBrand managed to get in a good position for a shot on goal. Strand's supporters crossed their fingers, but Nollaig McBrand was, after a quick turn that froze the defenders, out of balance and shot the ball just to the right of the goal. In the 40th minute, Oliver McBrand fired away a shot on goal. He put a little to much spin on the ball and sent it just wide of the right post. With a little luck, Ballyleen's Isaac Colwell got control of the ball when Nollaig McBrand tried to sneak it across the goal line. When the referee blew for the end of the half the home team players were clearly happier, as they went in to the break leading 1-0.

The wind increased when Oliver McBrand made the kick off in the second half. Nollaig McBrand struck a weak shot in the 53rd minute. Isaac Colwell didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Strand. If Cacey McBrandon had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 58th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Brenan Mullan hit a great freekick 60 minutes into the match. Louie McLaughlin's shot from long distance was a real pearl which went to the right and just passed Isaac Colwell - 2-0 was put on the score board in the 61st minute. Strand's Nollaig McBrand suffered a sore thigh after 64 minutes and couldn't finish the game. After 64 minutes, Brenan Mullan mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Ballyleen and the Strand players grew even worse after the yellow card. 68 minutes into the match, Strand's goal looked a bit too open when Cacey McBrandon came free, but Rorry Mulvihill reached the ball before it rolled over the goal line. Randal Benson hit a great freekick 73 minutes into the match. Ballyleen's Cacey McBrandon got a good chance for a goal in the 74th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Oliver McBrand received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 76th minute. Isaac Colwell tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Strand's Rorry Mulvihill proved his good apprehension of play when he, in the 83rd minute of the match, managed to save Strand from getting a goal against them. In the 83rd minute, Donlan Jameson hit a crossing free kick to the open man running down the field. Oliver McBrand received a nice pass in the box and took a hard shot in the 86th minute. Isaac Colwell tensed up and prepared to dive, but the shot went over the goal with him having to interfere. Beag McLaughlin could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 91st minute of the match, but Rorry Mulvihill made a huge save. Isaac Colwell showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Donlan Jameson in the 96th minute of the match. Strand's fans were exulted and cheered after their team won in a match that could easily have gone the other way.