Well, today was another beautiful day in Ireland. The sun was shining, the sky was blue, and the temperature delightful. We are starting to now question everything Pearse and Mina have said, since we all packed sweatshirts, long pants, and rain gear on their advisement. Meanwhile, we are enjoying what we have been blessed with for now weather-wise and hope that our good fortunes continue.
Today started off with breakfast at 8:00 AM that for many of the chaperones was a difficult assignment to meet given the festivities last evening at the home of our new friends here in Dublin. The boys were up bright and early however and polished off the meal quickly.
Following that it was a brief respite before heading out by double-decker bus to downtown Dublin. Imagine trying to have exact change (in Euros no less) for over fifty people for the bus. Once downtown, each group of boys and chaperone were on their own to enjoy the city and partake in the sights, sounds, shopping, history, and dining that Dublin has to offer. It was truly a great experience for all. Many of the boys came away from their excursion sporting new boots and jerseys.
Then it was game time starting in the early evening and ending later in the night as both teams played matches against St. Kevin’s Soccer Club (game reports follow in separate posts). The games were played at the AUL Complex that the Ireland U-14 through U-17 national teams call home. The boys even had to watch some of the U-17 players in a match on an adjacent field.
Lone last stop for dinner at “The Chipper” for a quick bite of chips and assorted burgers, chicken, etc… An evening meeting followed to prepare for tomorrow.
Finally, it was a late night of packing up as the group tried to get to bed early for a 6:00 AM departure in the morning for the ferry to Liverpool.
That’s all for now.
Quote of the Day
“I don’t think I could have a higher opinion of any footballer than I already had of the Irishman, but he rose even further in my estimation at the Stadio Delle Alpi. The minute he was booked and out of the final he seemed to redouble his efforts to get the team there. It was the most emphatic display of selflessness I have seen on a football field. Pounding over every blade of grass, competing if he would rather die of exhaustion than lose, he inspired all around him. I felt it was an honour to be associated with such a player.”
Sir Alex Ferguson (on Roy Keane after the European Cup semi-final in 1999)
English soccer manager
Monday, July 28, 2008
U13 Boys Game Report
Game 2 Starting Lineup against St. Kevin’s from the Boys Club of Dublin.
Being played at the AUL which is where the Irish Youth National teams train.
Boys 13- Forwards Conner D. and Keaton
Midfielders-Grayson, Brennan, Chris, and Ryan
Defenders-Sowder, Josh, Joe, and Trevor
Ravon was in the goal.
Captains were Austin Rackley and Ryan Bertling (apologies to Conner McCown and Ravon Ashey for omission of yesterdays Captains)
As CESA came out against the orange and black we again were surprised by the speed and intensity of a small and feisty team. Each team maintained even possession throughout the 1st half. CESA was first to strike with a great cornerback by Trevor that was passed by Keaton to Brennan who scored the 1st goal.
Ten minutes later Conner Donahue had a shot deflect off the post which was finished by Keaton on a half volley. 6 minutes later Raven kept the score at 2-0 by stopping a 1 on 1 chance.
2nd Half. Rafael in for Conner D. Conner M. in for Ryan Bertling and Austin in for Josh.
The St. Kevin’s striker took advantage of an opportunity and scored on a 1 vs 1 closing the gap to 2-1.
Ryan B. got to opportunity for extra pushups along with a St. Kevin’s player in lieu of a yellow.
One of the most exciting plays of the game was when Ravon Ashy had to leave the box to head the ball away from an attacker and then had to rush back to the box to make a diving save. The ball was finally cleared to safety by Josh.
CESA last scored when Conner D. passed to Rafael who scored the 3rd and final goal.
The game was down to the last minutes when St. Kevin’s was awarded a penalty kick which was converted. In the last minute St. Kevin’s tied with a free kick from 30 yards. It was a great game and another beautiful sunny day.
Game report by Susie Koslow and Ann Ashy
Being played at the AUL which is where the Irish Youth National teams train.
Boys 13- Forwards Conner D. and Keaton
Midfielders-Grayson, Brennan, Chris, and Ryan
Defenders-Sowder, Josh, Joe, and Trevor
Ravon was in the goal.
Captains were Austin Rackley and Ryan Bertling (apologies to Conner McCown and Ravon Ashey for omission of yesterdays Captains)
As CESA came out against the orange and black we again were surprised by the speed and intensity of a small and feisty team. Each team maintained even possession throughout the 1st half. CESA was first to strike with a great cornerback by Trevor that was passed by Keaton to Brennan who scored the 1st goal.
Ten minutes later Conner Donahue had a shot deflect off the post which was finished by Keaton on a half volley. 6 minutes later Raven kept the score at 2-0 by stopping a 1 on 1 chance.
2nd Half. Rafael in for Conner D. Conner M. in for Ryan Bertling and Austin in for Josh.
The St. Kevin’s striker took advantage of an opportunity and scored on a 1 vs 1 closing the gap to 2-1.
Ryan B. got to opportunity for extra pushups along with a St. Kevin’s player in lieu of a yellow.
One of the most exciting plays of the game was when Ravon Ashy had to leave the box to head the ball away from an attacker and then had to rush back to the box to make a diving save. The ball was finally cleared to safety by Josh.
CESA last scored when Conner D. passed to Rafael who scored the 3rd and final goal.
The game was down to the last minutes when St. Kevin’s was awarded a penalty kick which was converted. In the last minute St. Kevin’s tied with a free kick from 30 yards. It was a great game and another beautiful sunny day.
Game report by Susie Koslow and Ann Ashy
U14 Boys Game Report
After the U13 boys tied the lads from St. Kevin’s, the CESA U14 boys took the field against the orange and black. The fact that the other team was bigger and faster did not deter the boys from Greenville. The St. Kevin’s squad was as good as any team our boys have played.
The starting lineups included DJ in goal, Ben, Jeff, Tim, and Justin on defense. The midfielders included Wells, Brett, Andrew, and Michael, with Teddy and Jack up front. Seth came in at forward midway through the first half and finished the game on defense. Mitchell also came in midway through the first half at midfield. Unfortunately Daniel was under the weather and did not play. (He’s fine now and is good to go tomorrow).
St. Kevin’s controlled the play in the first half, missing a few near our goal, but in general, our boys did not give up many good opportunities. Our boys had a good opportunity in the waning minutes of the half as Seth made a beautiful run up the right side with the ball and slid a cross to Teddy whose shot barley sailed over the crossbar. The score at the half remained 0-0.
In the second half, our boys came out strong and got on the board first at the 46th minute with Jack having a nice assist on a drop pass to Brett on who buried it in the net from 25 yards out. Then at the 50th minute, the St. Kevin’s keeper mishandled the ball and Set took advantage of the keeper by picking his pocket and scoring to make the score 2-0. Teddy also had a great opportunity from distance in the 60th minute as his dipping shot caught the crossbar square and rebounded away unluckily for our boys.
A motivated St. Kevin’s squad came on hard and strong at the end and scored two goals near the end of the game. The boys were a slightly disappointed in the result but the effort, especially in the second half, was a great showing for our lads.
Hats off to DJ who had a stellar performance in goal.
Game report by Carl Litzinger and Tim Finigan
The starting lineups included DJ in goal, Ben, Jeff, Tim, and Justin on defense. The midfielders included Wells, Brett, Andrew, and Michael, with Teddy and Jack up front. Seth came in at forward midway through the first half and finished the game on defense. Mitchell also came in midway through the first half at midfield. Unfortunately Daniel was under the weather and did not play. (He’s fine now and is good to go tomorrow).
St. Kevin’s controlled the play in the first half, missing a few near our goal, but in general, our boys did not give up many good opportunities. Our boys had a good opportunity in the waning minutes of the half as Seth made a beautiful run up the right side with the ball and slid a cross to Teddy whose shot barley sailed over the crossbar. The score at the half remained 0-0.
In the second half, our boys came out strong and got on the board first at the 46th minute with Jack having a nice assist on a drop pass to Brett on who buried it in the net from 25 yards out. Then at the 50th minute, the St. Kevin’s keeper mishandled the ball and Set took advantage of the keeper by picking his pocket and scoring to make the score 2-0. Teddy also had a great opportunity from distance in the 60th minute as his dipping shot caught the crossbar square and rebounded away unluckily for our boys.
A motivated St. Kevin’s squad came on hard and strong at the end and scored two goals near the end of the game. The boys were a slightly disappointed in the result but the effort, especially in the second half, was a great showing for our lads.
Hats off to DJ who had a stellar performance in goal.
Game report by Carl Litzinger and Tim Finigan
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