Carrigaline win John Kerins Cup for first time

Carrigaline 4-4

Douglas 1-5

Sheer delight for Carrigaline as they won the John Kerins Cup for the first time at Páirc Uí Rinn on Saturday.

Now in its 20th year of games, this U11 football tournament is run by the gardaí in memory of their colleague and former Cork and St Finbarr’s goalkeeper John Kerins, who passed away at a young age. John kept goal for St Finbarr’s for many years and also won two senior All-Ireland football medals with Cork in 1989 and 1990.

In a game that was close at half-time, three second-half goals were the killer blows as Carrigaline ran out deserving winners on the day.

They had many outstanding displays but none more than Yacine Louadah, who deservedly was named Player of the Tournament at the end of play.

To get to the final is an achievement in itself, but to go on and win it is extra special.

Games started early on Saturday morning with St Nicholas beating Bishopstown in the first cup quarter-final.

Carrigaline, Valley Rovers, and Douglas all followed with wins to reach the semis later in the day.

In the semis, St Nicholas started well against Carrigaline with a goal from Cameron Forde and a point from James Cronin putting them in front.

But Carrigaline didn’t panic and Louadah was among their scores as they made it 1-1 to 0-3 by half-time.

They went in front early in the second half when Ethan O'Sullivan scored their first goal, with Louadah soon adding a second.

They hit two more points to win by 2-5 to 1-1 and secure their spot in the final.

Douglas faced title-holders Valley Rovers in their semi and at the start, it looked like the latter was going to go through to defend their crown.

They raced into a 1-2 to no score lead, before goals from Max Weldon and Ollie Conway put Douglas in front.

Further goals from Johnny Farrell and Adam Linehan saw them advance to the final.

Douglas started the better of the two sides in the decider, with Farrell among their first-half scorers. But again credit to Carrigaline as they never panicked with Louadah pointing and a goal from Rory Kennedy made it 1-1 to 0-4 at half-time.

In the second half, Carrigaline upped their game even further as Finn O’Mahony got their second goal. Ethan O’Sullivan added a point, to make it 2-2 to 0-4 in their favour.

Max Weldon pulled a goal back for Douglas, but again Carrigaline replied in style. Two points from Louadah stretched their lead again, with Kennedy getting their third goal to put the result beyond doubt.

Fittingly Louadah got the last score of the game for his side as Carrigaline ran out deserving winners after three quality displays from these young players.

“This tournament is now very popular among clubs and we would like to thank all sides who entered again this year,” said one of the organisers, Supt Mick Comyns.

“I would like to congratulate the winners but more importantly all sides that took part in the group stages as well as the games today.

“I would also like to thank all those who help organise the tournament for all the work they do to ensure everything runs smoothly.”

CARRIGALINE squad: Sean Allen, Liam Greene, Liam Joyce, Ben McCarthy, Dylan Donnelly, Ethan O’Sullivan, Jamie Keane, Oisin Kearney Ronayne, Yacine Louadah, Adam O’Driscoll, Bobby Stanton, Paul O’Herlihy, Jack Healy, Charlie Cox, Finn O’Mahony, Rory Kennedy.

DOUGLAS squad: Conor Hayes Aidan Tobin, Nathan Fitzpatrick, Shane O’Sullivan, Oliver O’Shea, Johnny Farrell, Seamus Smyth, Scott Cronin Adam Linehan, Jacob Fahy, Ollie Conway, Harry Spillane Tomás O’Meara, Omar Almajthoub, Darragh O’Shea, Ruadh Collins, David Vojnovic, Harry Doyle, Sean O’Reilly, Max Weldon, Billy Bolster.

Referee: Chris Cronin.