League

Cuilkillew
Spectators: 5000 (Terracing: 4000, Seating: 1000, VIP seats: 0) Dark clouds were building up when the players entered the field. None of the them looked very eager to play. Biddy Costello started the match with the kick off. Artuir Dempsey made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Bhrighde Taylor in the 4th minute of play. A collision led to Cuilkillew getting a freekick after 5 minutes play. Seán Ryan hit a great ball. Cleary Lester could have scored with his fast shot on goal in the 8th minute of the match, but Artuir Dempsey made a huge save. The referee felt a red card was in order, 10 minutes into the game, when Derin Frankson put in a rough tackle. The referee blew the whistle for a penalty in the 9th minute of the game. One of Cuilkillew:s players had nearly got his shirt torn off by an opponent while getting free in front of Knockatee AFC:s goal. Cuilkillew:s Finn Silke showed great skill when he stopped Ros Cooney:s penalty. Cleary Lester struck a weak shot in the 17th minute. Artuir Dempsey didn't even have to move as the ball rolled over the line well wide of the goal. A wasted opportunity for Cuilkillew. Cleary Lester in the 20thth minute had a little luck and got a chance for a shot in front of the goal. Without hesitation aimed to the right of Artuir Dempsey, who managed to lunge to the right direction and made a save. After some fancy dribbling in the 23rd minute, Cleary Lester managed to get in a good position for a shot. Cuilkillew's supporters rose to their feet, but Cleary Lester was a bit off balance and shot the ball just wide of the left post. Artuir Dempsey breathed a sigh of relief and went to take the goal kick. After 25 minutes, Seán Ryan mouthed his way into the referee's book. The tension between the Cuilkillew and the Knockatee AFC players grew even worse after the yellow card. In the 32ndth minute of the game Biddy Costello who was perfectly placed tried to make a shot on goal, but Cuilkillew's Finn Silke was lucky and managed to grab hold of the ball. An unexpected shot in the 34th minute by Cleary Lester got the crowd on their feet, but to their dismay it went out on the left side. Artuir Dempsey made an important save on a dangerous shot by Seán Ryan in the 35th minute. An unexpectedly hard shot by Biddy Costello in the 38th minute of play forced Cuilkillew's goalkeeper Finn Silke to throw himself to the left, to be able to save the ball. Cuilkillew's Finn Silke played magnificently when he managed to stop the ball from hitting the goal, after a sharp shot by Biddy Costello in the 42nd minute of play. 46 minutes into the game, Knockatee AFC's Biddy Costello nearly tore a hole in the net with a booming shot. Finn Silke made a valiant effort, but he could not reach the ball in time, 1-1. After a very even first half the match was still tied. The players went to their respective dressing rooms to discuss the tactics for the second half.

The wind increased when Cleary Lester made the kick off in the second half. Finn Silke showed brilliant goalkeeper skills when he caught the ball after a hard shot from Biddy Costello in the 56th minute of the match. When Knockatee AFC's Biddy Costello in the 57th minute got a chance for a shot 57th didn't hesitate and placed the ball to the right of the goalie. A beautiful save bye Cuilkillew's goalie prevented a goal. Finn Silke showed his good apprehension of the play when he made a fantastic save on a shot from Kevin Caffey, who was totally free with the ball in the 59th minute. Finn Silke didn't succeed in stopping the ball in the 61st minute, which inside left pole to 1-2. Cuilkillew's Seán Ryan got a good chance for a goal in the 64th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. Gordan Sheridan's late challenge caught a Cuilkillew's player on the shin and left him crawling around in pain. The referee blew his whistle and produced the yellow card. Gordan Sheridan helped the player get up and apologised. In the 66th match minute, Knockatee AFC was awarded a freekick, the ball was picked up by Gordan Sheridan to maneuver through the defense. Biddy Costello sent away a hard shot on goal in the 70th minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Finn Silke made a wonderful reflex save on a shot from Biddy Costello in the 72nd minute of play. In the 76th minute, Peadar Dunne got an opportunity to score, but he didn't get a solid hit on the ball and ended up kicking it wide of the goal. If Peadar Dunne had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 81st minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Biddy Costello sent away a hard shot on goal in the 83rd minute, but the ball went just over the crossbar and out. A very good chance. Knockatee AFC's Peadar Dunne got a good chance for a goal in the 85th minute, but he totally mistimed the shot and it went over the crossbar. If Cleary Lester had kept his shot down it would have been a goal in the 89th minute. The ball went over the crossbar and out instead. Salmon McSteven might have been able to make a better finish in the 91st minute when he tried to place a hard shot over Artuir Dempsey. Instead the ball went over the crossbar and out. Salmon McSteven ran back to his position shaking his head. The crowd rose to their feet and cheered when the referee blew the final whistle. Cuilkillew had won after a very even match.