Academy Report: 18-19 May
Congratulations once again to the 5 members of our WU17 panel who were in the Republic of Ireland WU16 squad for the UEFA Development Tournament with Portugal, Austria and France. The girls played important roles in all 3 games with Grace Ehinger grabbing the winner against Austria from a Madison McGuane assist. All the girls saw plenty of action over the 3 games which saw two excellent wins over Austria and France.
Back in league action, 4 of our 6 of our Treaty United Carelon Academy teams were in EA Sports League of Ireland Academy league action this weekend Pride of place this to the MU15s who qualified for the Elite Phase after finishing second in their Group C in Phase 1. Overall, it was 3 wins and one defeat in the 4 academy games.
Only one team was in action on Saturday.
MU20
First into action this weekend were the MU20s who hosted league leaders Waterford FC in The Manor Fields in Adare. When the sides met earlier in the season, Waterford had a comfortable victory.
Our lineup for the game was as follows:
Starting 11:
Michael Dike, Isaac O’Sullivan, Richkov Boevi, Darren Nwanko, Mark Murphy (C), Nikodem Kozlowski, Adam O’Halloran, Sean O’Haodha, Sean Costelloe, Conall Stapleton, Jamie Halpin,
Subs:
Adam Brennan, Alex Cuddy, Mark O’Halloran, Luke Ryan, Brandon Rossiter, Gavin Mellerick, Tiernan Adelu
Result:
Treaty United 2 Waterford FC 3
Waterford took all three points in a five goal thriller in Adare on Saturday. Treaty got off to the perfect start with Niko Kowlowski scoring an absolute stunner from long range. Treaty had opportunities to double their lead but again were wasteful in front of goal. Waterford equalised just on half time when Colm Flynn scored a beautiful free kick. Treaty made the dream start to the second half when Seanie O hAodha slotted home from close range to restore the hosts lead. Waterford to their credit showed their class and scored twice to take all three points and secure their promotion to the Elite Phase. Treaty now face two make or break games vs Cork City which will decide their fate for Phase 2.
The MU20s are in action again next Saturday when they travel to Bishopstown to take on Cork City.
On Sunday, 3 of our academy teams were in action.
MU15
First up were our MU15s who travelled to Bishopsgate to take on Longford Town. The MU15s already knew that they had qualified for the Elite Phase by virtue of Galway United’s victory over Sligo Rovers the day before. Treaty had recorded a 3-1 victory when the sides met earlier in the season in the Manor Fields, Adare.
Our lineup for the game was as follows:
Starting 11:
Darragh Van Veen, Sean Meere, Conor O’Mahony, Kian Dempsey, Jack Cregan, Christian Stack, Dylan Browne, Unai Ngache, Ewan Coulter, Darragh Kirwan, Saleem Ojulari
Subs:
Bryan Parish, Xavier O’Nialagain, Aaron Cobbs-Sarko, Nathan Robinson, Sean Potter, Gavin Ryan
Result:
Longford Town 1 Treaty United 2
Our MU15s had an away game in Bishopsgate against Longford Town FC. We won this game at home 3-1 but we knew this was going to be a very tough game. With Galway United beating Sligo the day before, we had already qualified for the elite phase of the tournament, so the pressure was off against Longford. The game started well with Treaty playing some nice football and creating some good chances but nothing to show for them. The second 30 minute period was very scrappy and got a bit heated between players. Longford scored from a free kick to go 1 nil up just before we finished the 2nd 30 minutes. However, just at the end of that 30 a fight broke out amongst the players over nothing but, unfortunately, our captain Jack Cregan was sent off. So, we went into the last 30 with only 10 men. Even though we were a man down we still went to a back 3 and decided to just go for it. This was rewarded when a long throw from Kian Dempsey caused trouble with the Longford defence and Dylan Browne scored to make it 1-1. Then, with just minutes left we broke well and Gavin Ryan, who was returning from injury, fed a nice pass to Xavier O’Nialagain who then floated a quality ball over to Kian Dempsey to score a cracking volley to win the game 2-1.
WU19
Next in action were our WU19s who travelled to the SETU Arena to take on Waterford FC in the reverse fixture of last weekend’s games which saw Waterford emerge 2-0 victors. This was the final game in Phase 1 of the league for our WU19s.
Our lineup for the game was as follows:
Starting 11:
Niamh Kinnehan, Katelynn O’Dwyer Guerin, Siobhán McMahon, Ella Carey, Vittoria Rainusso, Yanna Leahy, Sadbh Griffin, Jayne Ryan, Holly O’Brien, Judith Egan, Abbey Walsh
Subs:
Molly Lane, Naoise Griffin, Ava Neary, Ciara Breslin
Result:
Waterford FC 0 Treaty United 1
Our WU19 squad travelled to SETU Arena to take on the return fixture against Waterford. Reflecting on last week’s contest against the same opposition, the squad felt they should have gotten more from the game and were focused on the task of getting a good result to match the performance. We were going into this game with a handful of players out due to injury and almost the same number unavailable for the game. We saw this as an opportunity to call up 3 players from the WU17 squad seeing as they had no game the day before.
The day started off as an eventful one when the bus we were travelling in had gearbox trouble as we departed and had to get a replacement bus which caused us an hour delay. The girls got going quickly when we arrived and we limbered up with a bit more urgency than what we would have hoped for due to the time frame we had to work with.
Thankfully the girls were on it from the off and within a minute we found ourselves in the lead when Yanna Leahy latched onto a teasing ball over the top from Ella Carey which the Waterford defence failed to deal with. The score was to remain that way from the remainder of the game.
We had some worrying moments earlier on as we had to make two changes in the first half due to injuries. Siobhán McMahon was leading by example with her bravery at the back but she blocked a shot which struck her in the abdomen, she tried to shake off the pain but a few minutes later she was clearly struggling and was forced from the field of play. Siobhán was taken to hospital and we were relieved to hear afterwards that it was nothing too serious and we wish her a speedy recovery.
The second injury was for Holly O’Brien. She had an old ankle injury problem rear its head again and although she tried to play on she knew that it wasn’t going to subside so had to come out of the game. That substitution was the second of our 3 centre backs to be replaced and with that we had to change our shape to adapt and although it took from our attacking threat we seemed to be more of a defensively solid unit.
The last time both teams met on that same pitch it was a real ding dong of a game, a cracker of a contest and this time around was just as entertaining. It’s really hard to pick out one or two good performers on the day as the whole squad was just excellent in how they applied themselves. The three WU17 players were excellent when they were introduced. Niamh Kinehan, our keeper for the day, was so assured and she was so alert throughout the game coming off her line with rapid pace to snuff out any threats in behind by Waterford. Ava Neary was the perfect centre back for us on the day to keep a 1-0 lead away from home. She was so committed in every tackle, she dealt with every aerial threat and her tempo and intensity in everything she did really set the standard for the team. She really is a solid defender, no messing about. Ciara Breslin replaced our goalscorer when she picked up a calf strain. Ciara managed to cause havoc for the Waterford backline and never let them settle in possession. She was also very unlucky with a couple of half chances that came her way but showed enough appetite and workrate that we would gladly call upon again in the future.
Others who really put in a great performance were Judith Egan, Sadbh Griffin and Abbey Walsh. However a big shout out to Katelynn O’Dwyer Guerin and Vittoria Rainusso who just raised the bar again in the last 20 minutes of the game. They were both a force of nature for us in seeing out the game right to the end.
Battered and bruised at the final whistle, they gave it everything and deserved the win. It was a long time coming as we felt the work they had been putting in week in week out and being pipped by the odd goal here and there, we felt that there was a lot of points left behind us in matches so it was good to get over the line against a really good Waterford side who were pushing for the elite phase.
That was the last of our Phase 1 games and the squad has a break from competitive matches until after the state exams.
Thanks to all the support who travelled to the game, your voices were heard in abundance again.
MU17
At the same time, our MU17s hosted CK United in The Manor Fields in Adare. Treaty United had a big victory when the sides met earlier in the season in Killeshin.
Our lineup for the game was as follows:
Starting 11:
Conor Wall, Kieran Doyle, Joey Nwankwo, Brandon Long, Jamie Faulkner, Matt Jones (C), Charlie Campbell, Alex Omoruyi, Patrick Ryan, Tony Hourigan, Jack Keogh
Subs:
Ike Manjor, Conor Crofton, Michael Mulcahy, Colin Healy, Tiernan Adelu, Cullen Wiegand
Result:
Treaty United 5 CK United 1
The MU17s returned to winning ways at home to CK United. Treaty dominated the possession throughout the game and were rewarded after 12 mins when a great team move ended in the back of the net via a CK defender. Tony Hourigan doubled the lead just before the half time break.
Treaty started the second half with the same intensity and continued to dominate the ball. Jamie Faulkner added Treaty’s third goal on the 63rd min with a superb curled strike in to the far top corner. 5 minutes later Treaty added a fourth via Jack Keogh following some great work down the left by Paddy Ryan. Mike Mulcahy rounded out the scoring for Treaty after latching on to a Colin Healy through ball and finishing cooly in to the top corner.
The MU17s are in action again next Sunday when they travel to Bishopstown to take on Cork City FC.
MU14
The MU14s had a free weekend this weekend. Next weekend they take part in an LOI Academy MU14 Development Weekend in Abbotstown where they will take on Bray Wanderers, Klub Kildare and Wexford FC.
