Upon awakening to a somewhat uncharacteristic blue and clear Irish sky, the boys started their day getting ready for the first competitive games of the trip. The weather has been extraordinarily nice here in Ireland this week. Sunny and low 70's. Just beautiful.
Up first, a slightly modified "traditional" Irish breakfast, no more than six items please, of eggs, ham, sausage, mushrooms, fruit, cereal, and pastry. With a hearty meals behind the boys it was off to the fields for gameday.
The boys played matches around mid-day here against the Dublin Club named Belvedere. Game report posts follow in separate posts.
Following the games, the boys were on their own for lunch with friends and/or family. Then there was several hours of free time where the boys just had fun being boys by playing cards, practicing their singing for the bus ride, sleeping, chatting, going to the park, and on and on.
For the early evening, the boys once again played small-sided matches in the steel-cage fields here on campus, a whole lot of fun.
Dinner time meant alone time for the chaperones as they left the boys playing games and departed for the home and hospitality of Pearse's former coach for a "quiet" evening. A lovely time was had by all -- socializing, dining, drinking, and of course singing.
The boys meanwhile retired to the dorms following their play for a pizza party hosted by our own David Minihan.
That's all for now.
Sunday, July 27, 2008
U13 Boys Game Report
The clouds separated as the CESA 95 Premier walked across the sunlit Green fields belonging to club Belvedere. The setting was spectacular and the Parents from both sides of the Atlantic sat along the sidelines watching their young sons play some exciting soccer. Kudos should be made to Nathan “11” and Belvedere’s #15 who kept the pressure on during the whole game with their speed and tenacity.
The first half had Joe, Brennan, Connor, Chris in mid, Keaton and Rafael strikers, and Rackley, Connor Mc and Trevor defending. The feisty Irishmen had speed and quick moves that kept the midfield moving and defense on their toes. Coupled with some “serious” officiating it was a close game with 0-0 until the final 30 seconds of the 1st half.
The ref granted a “water break” to both teams and CESA players waited as the Irish had some refreshments. Not needing a reprieve Trevor Thompson had a great cross that Chris finished with finesse for a beautiful goal for a 1-0 lead.
The second half had Chris and our left footers keeping #11 and #15 at bay and allowed some great opportunities for Grayson and Ryan to make some beautiful shots on goal. They played tough taking on Belvo players while the other team was called on penalties with threats of expulsion. Keaton and Brennan survived and medics not needed. Donohue dominated the left side of the field with his fancy footwork that was evident in this calmness as he touched in a beautiful goal taking advantage of the Goalie and defense. CESA’s goalie Ravon came out running on couple of breakaways that secured his 1st international shutout.
The first half had Joe, Brennan, Connor, Chris in mid, Keaton and Rafael strikers, and Rackley, Connor Mc and Trevor defending. The feisty Irishmen had speed and quick moves that kept the midfield moving and defense on their toes. Coupled with some “serious” officiating it was a close game with 0-0 until the final 30 seconds of the 1st half.
The ref granted a “water break” to both teams and CESA players waited as the Irish had some refreshments. Not needing a reprieve Trevor Thompson had a great cross that Chris finished with finesse for a beautiful goal for a 1-0 lead.
The second half had Chris and our left footers keeping #11 and #15 at bay and allowed some great opportunities for Grayson and Ryan to make some beautiful shots on goal. They played tough taking on Belvo players while the other team was called on penalties with threats of expulsion. Keaton and Brennan survived and medics not needed. Donohue dominated the left side of the field with his fancy footwork that was evident in this calmness as he touched in a beautiful goal taking advantage of the Goalie and defense. CESA’s goalie Ravon came out running on couple of breakaways that secured his 1st international shutout.
All in all the kids played great and had a great time playing a team that is actually younger in soccer years. It was a first to be the giants on the field filled with lightning fast competitors. Will keep you posted on tomorrow’s game.
Game Report by Susie Koslow
U14 Boys Game Report
The CESA U14 boys took the field immediately following the CESA 95 Premier team. On a glorious July day in San Diego, I mean Dublin, the boys played their first international match of their careers against the Belvedere Futball Club (vs. Pearse’s former coach), earning their first caps in a 4-1 victory.
The play started off with Daniel in goal, Michael, Tim, Jeff, and Seth on defense. Wells, Brett, Mitchell, and Justin at midfield. And, at forward, Ted and Jack. DJ came in for Daniel in the second half. Ben came in at right defense for Seth, who moved to midfield, and Andrew came in to play at left mid.
All in all the team played VERY well. The defense was solid only allowing their opponents a few shots. The midfielders controlled most of the play, holding the ball and playing side to side quite effectively. And the offense created at least a dozen solid opportunities.
The magic number for the first match for CESA was 11. After a few minutes of feeling each other out, CESA got on the board first at the 11 minute mark. Justin Finigan had a nice assist from the right wing to Wells who had a brilliant one-touch finish past the keeper.
Then 11 minutes later at the 22nd minute mark, Wells had his way with 3 defenders in the left corner, crossed the ball to Justin, who one touched it to Jack who put it away with a great flick header.
Eleven minutes later at the 33rd minute, Seth dribbled down the right side and crossed for an unassisted goal off a defender.
The play started off with Daniel in goal, Michael, Tim, Jeff, and Seth on defense. Wells, Brett, Mitchell, and Justin at midfield. And, at forward, Ted and Jack. DJ came in for Daniel in the second half. Ben came in at right defense for Seth, who moved to midfield, and Andrew came in to play at left mid.
All in all the team played VERY well. The defense was solid only allowing their opponents a few shots. The midfielders controlled most of the play, holding the ball and playing side to side quite effectively. And the offense created at least a dozen solid opportunities.
The magic number for the first match for CESA was 11. After a few minutes of feeling each other out, CESA got on the board first at the 11 minute mark. Justin Finigan had a nice assist from the right wing to Wells who had a brilliant one-touch finish past the keeper.
Then 11 minutes later at the 22nd minute mark, Wells had his way with 3 defenders in the left corner, crossed the ball to Justin, who one touched it to Jack who put it away with a great flick header.
Eleven minutes later at the 33rd minute, Seth dribbled down the right side and crossed for an unassisted goal off a defender.
Finally, 11 minutes later at the 44th minute, Jeff had a nice assist to Mitchell at midfield, who moved in 10 yards, and blasted a shot over the keeper from 35 yards out.
And yes, 11 minute later, Belvedere got their only goal with their captain taking a long shot. DJ made a brilliant save off the crossbar, but the Belvedere forward finished off the rebound.
Game report by Carl Litzinger
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