Leeside U16s the team to beat again in the CSL Premier Division
Adam Barrett of Corinthians keeps Leeside's Daniel Brennan away from the ball during the CSL U16 Premier Division match at Leeside Park. Picture: Howard Crowdy
LEESIDE United have been in magnificent form in the Cork Schoolboys League Joma/Sportsgear Direct U16 Premier this season.
The Little Island outfit recorded some impressive results following a number of excellent team displays and are among the leading contenders challenging for league silverware.
On the opening day, they suffered their only league defeat to date. The youngsters fell to a disappointing 4-0 loss to Carrigaline United at Ballea Park.
A positive response was required and it came in the form of a 5-0 victory in Whitechurch at the expense of hosts Rockmount. Leeside United defeated a talented Midleton team by the same scoreline away from home two weeks later. Two goals and a hat-trick of assists from Man of the Match Alex Bollard capped off a fantastic team performance. Jamie Coughlan (2) and Maidhc Ross were the other scorers.
Corinthian Boys made the trip to Leeside Park a week later and the hosts took all three points on offer via a 4-2 scoreline. Leeside welcomed Douglas Hall to Little Island for their next league clash but were made to work for all three points in a tight 2-1 victory.
Another close contest followed in mid-October when Leeside travelled to Ballyadam. Leeside narrowly won 4-3 despite a gallant team display from Carrigtwohill before they blitzed Avondale United 7-0 at home.
Leeside are in pole position just two points ahead of Carrigaline but the Ballea Park outfit have an important game in hand. Midleton are on 10 points from five games.
Leeside have impressed in knockout competition too. In the SFAI Subway National Cup, they beat Leeds 4-0 to make it to the last Cork round of the competition when Michal Czaja (2), Cian Daly and Alex Bollard scored the goals.
This Leeside group has an array of talent and Ronan Murray, Ewan O'Shea, Aaron O’Mahony, Cian Daly and Jamie Coughlan have all represented Cork this season.
Manager Conor Murray is pleased with the team's start to the season. "To bounce back with six league wins after losing to an excellent Carrigaline side has been fantastic. Our progress in the National Cup has been good but we face a tough game against Douglas Hall next.
"We wish key player Ryan Dineen a speedy recovery following an ankle injury and we are also delighted to see five of our squad get selected for the Cork Schoolboy U16 inter-league team.
"Having won the U15 Premier last year, we hope to retain the trophy but the likes of Carrigaline, Midleton and Lakewood will be strong again.
Leeside's new facilities are proving to be a major advantage.
"The new playing surface allows our players to develop their ability to play good football and our primary aim at the club is to support the development of players via enjoyment and organised training sessions. Hopefully, we will see a lot of our players represent our senior team in a few years."
Rory Cullinane, Daniel Brennan, Ewan O’Shea, Aaron O’Mahony (c), Ryan Dineen, Ronan Murray, Maidhc Ross, Ciaran Beecher, Michal Czaja, Ben O’Reilly, Emmanuel Bomer, Alex Bollard, Ryan Lane, Jamie Coughlan, Cian Daly, Surinder Spadam, Konrad Drewnicki, Oscan Verdonshot.
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