Senior Soccer Trip to Millfield School, February 2022

A fantastic first 20 minutes from our first XI allowed us to dominate possession and territory. Millfield defended frustrating our attack. Harry Mellon (5th year) and Ryan Holmes (6th year) dominated the midfield area allowing Max Mooney, Tommy Hanrahan (both 6th year) and Callum Dunne (5th year) to link up with Fergal O’Sullivan (6th year) effectively to create the Millfield defence problems. In the 25th minute a well worked move starting with Daniel Bennett (5th year) at left back, through Harry Mellon, To Thomas Downey (5th year) on the right handside, who played a fantastic ball into Fergal O’Sullivan to slot home to put us 1-0 up.

In the second half, Millfield dominated the opening 10 minutes. They pressed high, not allowing Alex O’Meara and Fionán O’Shaughnessy (both 6th year) time on the ball. However, as Millfield pressed for an equaliser, Daniel Chueng (TY) won possession back played the ball out to Daniel Bennett who found Max Mooney who finished well to put us 2-0 up. Again, Millfield put on pressure and deservedly got a goal in the 78th minute. A battling last 12 minutes saw us take victory 2-1 in what was an entertaing game.

Unfortunately, due to a Covid outbreak, Millfield were unable to field a 2nd XI, however, the local academy side, were happy to play our 2nd XI. A frantic start to the game saw Weston take a 1-0 lead however after some good defending from both Andrew Harvey and Christian Gribben (both 6th year) and an excellent pass from Louis Kenefick (5th year), Eoin Maher (5th year) levelled the game after 10 minutes. Soon after, Eoin made it 2-1 from the penalty spot. Both Federico Mei and Harvey Jerman (both 6th year) worked tirelessly in midfield which allowed Davitt Gilvarry (6th year) to link well with Ramon Sierra (5th year). Daniel Mac Dermott (6th year) marshalled the right-hand side of defence and made some excellent runs forward causing the Weston left back a lot of trouble. In the dying moments of the last half Tom Cherico (5th year) played a ball through to Ramon Sierra, who was denied by a brilliant save from the Weston goalkeeper.

In the 2nd half, Davitt Gilvarry scored a wonderful goal from the edge of the box to put the 2nd XI 3-1 up. Weston then started to dominate. Conn Lucey, Luca Cross and Conor Vaughan (all 5th year) were excellent in defending the relentless pressure. Unfortunately, the pressure told and two late goals for Weston saw them snatch a 3-3 draw.

This weekend was the perfect preparation for the senior soccer coming semi-final against St. Benildus away on Friday, February 18th.

We thank Mr O’Brien and his fellow coaches, who provided a wonderful experience for the boys and the boys for being such wonderful ambassadors for Blackrock