RENMORE ASSOCIATION FOOTBALL CLUB MATCH REPORTS 2023/24
CAPTAIN SWEENEY MAKES GOOD CALL
Renmore U12 Girls nicked a one nil win against Maree Oranmore in the closest of games in the SFAI Trophy on Sunday the 10th December.
It was a blustery day and Captain Amber Sweeney made the good call to play against the wind in the first half. Renmore adapted well, playing simple passes, trying to maintain possession and build chances. Ellen Oreilly was a handful upfront and was well supported by Saoirse McHugh behind her. The teams were incredibly evenly matched and it was a battle in the midfield which the imperious Caoimhe Murray helped to bring some control on. Maisy Bo Joyce made the difference when she came on out on the left, stretching Oranmore with a series of direct runs. It was one of Joyce’s penetrating runs that led to a beautiful pass into Lily McErlain who showed real class in delaying her shot, just enough to open up a gap, and slide home the only goal of the match past the excellent Maree Oranmore keeper.
Maree Oranmore responded soon after with a superbly hit long range Maree Oranmore effort, but the Renmore defence held back the pressure to go in one up at half time.
This is a very strong Maree Oranmore team though and they started the second half with real purpose, their number six orchestrating from the midfield. Elise Day ran tirelessly to cover the danger before Layla Faraj Gheziel, who was magnificent all game, moved forward from the back to add some control into the middle. Her pace and aggression capped a sparkling performance.
There was a lengthy period of pressure, with Katie DePaor and Molly Quinn battling tirelessly to keep back a wave of pressure and Lily McCarroll clearing 3 brilliantly delivered Maree Oranmore corners. McCarroll was at her best in the second half, dribbling at players and almost setting up a second goal late on. But one was just about enough as Renmore’s backs, martialled by super composed keeper Aoife Curran, were not going to be beaten this time.
A very tight, even game and the girls march on now into the last 32 and into the nationals phase of the SFAI Trophy……these girls could be one to watch!
REDS & BLUES u14's AWAY HAVE DIFFERING FORTUNES
Renmore AFC U14s Reds and Blues kicked off their league campaigns with road trips this weekend, with the Reds taking all 3 points from Cappagh Park on Saturday, and the Blues coming out on the wrong side of a thriller in heart-breaking fashion in Tuam on Monday night.
The Reds were always in control of their Division 1 clash with Knocknacarra, although they reached the half with only a single goal lead, after Sam McNena's deft finish, running on to a low cross to despatch the ball between the keeper's legs. Naoise Gorham increased the lead early in the second half, reacting first to a loose ball in the box to give the keeper no chance, but Knocknacarra kept fighting and made the defensive rocks of Niall McHugh and Conor Conneely pull out all the stops to ensure Paddy McCarroll left with his clean sheet intact, before Luke Seoighe ended the game as a contest late in proceedings, latching on to a Liam Kelly cross for Renmore's third. The football played was of a very high standard, and Knocknacarra contributed greatly, playing some great football throughout.
The Blues played out a barnstormer in their Division 5 contest with Tuam Celtic. Renmore were caught cold in the first half and found themselves three goals down early in the game, without having caused the opposing keeper any concern. Tuam were having great success with their pacy forwards running on to balls through the channel, and 'The Blues' struggled to come to terms with the pace of the game in their season opener. The game changed in the second half when Eanna Daly found space on the edge of the Tuam box, only for the keeper to deny his low effort, but Jamie Caslin reacted quickest to finally give Renmore a foothold in the contest. Jamie returned the favour minutes later, crossing the ball for Eanna Daly to slot the ball past the keeper, and bring The Blues to within one.
The Blues pressed forward in search of the equaliser, but all looked lost when Tuam gave themselves breathing space with a breakaway goal with only 3 minutes left, but the Blues kept fighting and after a mazy run by Nathan Fondja, Eanna Daly stepped inside the centre half on the edge of the box and fired the ball to the top corner to give The Blues hope. The final moments of the contest were a siege, but the Blues were unable to find the equaliser, and Tuam escaped with all 3 points.
