The CCFL Youths started their adventure in this years FAI Interleague Youths Cup with a hard fought 3 -1 victory over the Limerick District League in Leah Victoria Park, Tullamore on Saturday 2nd November.
The match kicked off in poor weather conditions but the CCFL were quickly out of the blocks and dominated the opening stages with some fine flowing attractive football and deservedly took the league when Kinnegad Juniors Eoghan Smyth finished the ball to the net following another intricate passage of play after 18 minutes. This seemed to spur on Limerick and they gradually took control of the rest of the half and equalised with about 15 minutes to the break after a phase of strong pressure, they could have went into the half 2 -1 ahead except for a man of the match performance by the CCFL & Edenderry Goalkeeper Cain Brereton who made a number of great stops but one in particular on the stroke of half – time.
Limerick started the 2nd half like they finished the 1st but could not find a way past Brereton and a solid defence well marshalled by Oisin Fitzpatrick from Portlaoise. The CCFL struck the front with about 15 minutes left when Tullamore’s Gio Russo broke down the left and slid the ball past the advancing keeper, this seems to deflate the Limerick Lads who had given their all throughout a high quality match and an excellent strike from Stradbally’s Tom Shiel close to the end made the game safe for the Home team.
The CCFL now travel to meet favourites Galway who had a great 7 -2 win over the Clare League on Friday night in Ennis, at the end of the month.
The CCFL Panel were as follows
Cain Brereton, Edenderry Town
Tom Shiel, Stradbally
Joe Curran, Birr Town
Oisin Fitizpatrick, Portlaoise AFC
Michael Gilligan, Birr Town
Cathal Callinan, Willow Park
Gio Russo, Tullamore Town
Eoghan Smyth, Kinnegad Juniors
Cillian Callagy Roseallis
Conor Ryan, Birr Town
Brian Maloney, Killavilla
David Etcheri, Kinnegad Juniors
Conor McElduff, Killeigh Ramblers
Shane Dolan, Killeigh Ramblers
Neason Moore, Kinnegad Ramblers
Adam Arthurs, Tullamore Town
Justin Lawlor, Stradbally
Kevin Bryant, Mucklagh