Avondale and Blarney's draw sends U17 League 1 title race to a three-way playoff with Fermoy
Youth Soccer: Avondale United’s Brooklnz Graciano on route to goal in the top-of-the-table U17 League 1 game against Blarney United at Avondale Park.
Avondale United and Blarney United played out a very nervy draw in the top of the table Daly Industrial Supplies U17 League 1 clash at Avondale Park on Saturday.
The title will now be decided by a three-way playoff between Avondale, Blarney and Fermoy as they all finished the campaign on 27 points.
This game was full of nerves and tension given the winner would have secured the title. however, credit must go to both keepers and their back lines as they were terrific for the whole game.
The visitors had the first real chance in the fourth minute when Ruairi Linehan was played through on goal by a sublime pass from Nathan Barry but Sean Semchiy raced off his line to make a brave save. Semchiy had to be alert three minutes later when he had to make another good stop from Linehan.
The hosts had their first effort on target in the 22nd minute. Brooklnz Graciano picked up a loose ball outside the box and stung the hands of Blarney stopper Szymon Maszerowski from 30 yards. Maszerowski was called into the action again when he had to go through a crowded penalty box to punch a Graciano corner away from danger.
Dale were coming more into the game and when Sebastian Dubkiewicz danced his way into the Blarney box, it took a well-timed tackle from Darragh Crowley to clear the danger.
Blarney came agonisingly close to the breakthrough on the stroke of half-time. Conor Kelly's effort was heading for the far corner but Semchiy got down well to push it around the post.
The hosts made the brighter start to the second half. Graciano's pace was giving the Blarney defenders problems and when he cut in from the right in the 60th minute it took another good stop from Maszerowski to tip his effort over.
As the game wore on, you could feel the tension from the large attendance. That certainly was relayed to the players and both sides were probably happy for a share of the spoils.
Sean Semchiy, Ronan O’Grady, Harry Spratt, Odhran McCaffrey, Patrick McCarthy, Brooklnz Graciano, Micheal McCarthy, Mario Horky, Sebastian Dubkiewicz, Darragh McKeon, Oscar O’Loingsigh.
Patrick O’Sullivan for McKeon (63), Evan Minihane for McCaffrey (76), Jack O’Mahony for 0’Loingsigh (87).
Szymon Maszerowski, Darragh Hassett, Darragh Crowley, Adam O’Mahony, Jake O’Sullivan, Matthew Murphy, Conor Kelly, Danyal Alp, Nathan Barry, Ruairi Linehan, Carvalho De Rodrigues.
Cillian McDonnell for Barry (61), James Williams for Kelly (76), Warren Hill for De Rodrigues (76).
Patrick O’Keeffe.
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