Riverstown bench press key against Leeds as they secure U19 Shield semi-final spot
Youth Soccer: Riverstown, who beat Leeds, in the U19 Shield at Leeds Park.
Riverstown travelled to Leeds Park and secured a home Daly Industrial Supplies U19 Shield semi-final, in a performance which was ideal preparation for their U19 League Cup final at Munster FA Turner's Cross next Friday night.
The game was evenly poised at half-time at a goal apiece. The visitors took the lead in the 39th minute when Sean O’Keeffe was the first to react to a loose ball but it was level four minutes later with the goal of the game by Leeds' Alan Falat, who struck a thunderbolt high into the roof of the net.
Riverstown's subs made all the difference in the second half. They regained the lead in the 76th minute through sub Kevin Muamba and sealed victory with two late goals by Thomas Óg O’Flynn and another sub Darragh McSweeney.
Leeds made a bright start and Evan Coughlan found a pocket of space outside the box but his effort was deflected out for a corner. Darryl Murray was pulling the strings in the middle of the park and when he whipped a dangerous effort goalwards it took a strong hand by Riverstown net minder Louie Guichard to deny him.
The deadlock was broken when Darragh Lynch did well to beat two defenders to get a powerful effort away. It was parried away by Andrew Dumitrache but Sean O’Keeffe was on hand to steer the rebound home. Leeds responded when Alan Falat chested a Zac Forde pass down and rifled his volley high into the net.
Leeds suffered a setback at the break as they had to replace the influential Murray. The visitors also made two changes, which gave them the edge in the middle.
They side came very close to regaining their lead seven minutes into the second half. Lynch stretched the Leeds back line with a peach of a pass, but Dumitrache was alert to race out and make a brave save at the feet of Darragh Barrett.
The heavy pitch was taking its toll on the Leeds players, as it was their first game in seven weeks. They were nearly caught out again in the 67th minute. Barrett picked up a loose ball from outside the box but his powerful drive went the wrong side of the post.
Riverstown’s dominance was now telling and when Jack Morley put in a dangerous corner, Muamba found space inside the box to score from close range.
Leeds came close to levelling but Adam Mannix’s shot came back off the post. With time running out, it was 3-1 up when Thomas Óg O’Flynn scored a fine breakaway goal. Two minutes into injury time, Darragh McSweeney scored from close range to seal Riverstown's progress.
Andrew Dumitrache, Evan Coughlan, Rory Horgan, Jamie O’Driscoll, Jay Moloney, Jamie Greaney, Zac Forde, Daryl Murray, Alan Falat, Ben O’Connell, Mathew Cripps.
Adam Mannix for Murray (h-t), Charlie O’Riordan for Moloney (76).
Louie Guichard, Emmet Coughlan, Sean Fergey, Evan Curtin, Ciaran Rodgers, Thomas Óg O’Flynn, Alex Lynch, Sean McCarthy, Darragh Barrett, Darragh Lynch, Sean O’Keeffe.
Jack Morley for Rodgers (h-t), George Grandon for McCarthy (ht), Darragh McSweeney for O’Keeffe (60), Kevin Muamba for Alex Lynch (66), Joseph Clifford for Darragh Barrett (77).
Jason Creamer.
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