After only 1 training session, it was time for Oide Anthony’s first year boys football team to show what they were made of in a match away to Rathcoole Boys.
Spirits were high on the bus, with it continuing through the warm up and into the start of the first half. Rathcoole started strong, but failed to break through the Kingswood Defence, led by captain Tiernan Poole. Kingswood took the lead halfway through the first half with a goal from Bobby Harding.
The defence held strong for another 20 minutes with goalkeeper Charlie Dempsey making some incredible saves, before Rathcoole broke through just before the break with a rebound following a scuffle in the box. Both sides level at the break.
Rathcoole started the second half strong - taking the lead after only a couple of minutes before doubling it quickly. There wasn’t much that could have been done for either goal, and that was unfortunately the case with a Rathcoole penalty making it 4-1 less than 10 minutes into the second half.
However the tables were soon beginning to turn with Jake Kavanagh slotting home after a saved penalty before Man Of The Match Nathan O’Neill scored what can only be described as an absolute screamer to bring the deficit to 1. Bobby Ellis provided the strike to bring the sides level.
With both sides level, Rathcoole attempted to mount a comeback. However Kingswood’s strong defence held them off, including 2 spectacular saves from Goalkeeper Ciaran Quinn.
Unfortunately it wasn’t meant to be as Rathcoole scored the winning goal with 8 minutes remaining bring an end to what had been a very close game.
Both teams shook hands at the end before we headed back to the school. Spirits were surprisingly high on the bus, showing the resilience this team can carry forward throughout the season.
Final Score - Rathcoole 5-4 KCC
Post Match Comment from Oide Anthony - “For a first game, some quality was shown on the pitch. I look forward to see what the squad can do moving forward. Came back from 4-1, didn’t drop the heads and showed great teamwork, commitment and sportsmanship.”