St. Mary’s CBS U19 soccer team travelled to Athlone Town’s stadium to take on Athlone CC in the last 64 of the Leinster Senior A Cup. The wind had a massive impact on the game and the CBS were playing against it in the first half.

Despite playing into the strong breeze we had plenty of possession in the first half and created a few half chances. The CBS had most of the possession in the first half but found themselves 1-0 down at half time after the Athlone number 10 tapped the ball into the net, despite a great save from Kacper Banasik. 

The second half started and it was more or less the same as the first with the CBS dominating possession and creating chances. Our lads came close with a great strike from Sean Keane but his effort was just off target. But the CBS kept pushing and they won themselves a free kick just on the edge of the box. Kieran O’Donnell stood up to take the free kick and he whipped the ball beautifully over the wall and into the top corner giving the keeper no chance. This goal came around the 80th minute but it’s nothing less than cbs deserved. Moments later O‘Donnell took a shot from way out and rattled the crossbar but unfortunately went just over. The game finished 1-1 and we went to extra time. 

Extra time was the same as normal time with the CBS on top and Athlone with a few chances but the CBS defended very well. The game finished 1-1 AET and penalties were needed to separate the sides.

But it was victory for the CBS whowon on penalties with Kacper Banasik making three great saves and Sean O’Sullivan and Sean Savage slotting two in. A hard fought but well deserved win for St. Mary’s CBS as they progress to the last 32 of the Leinster Senior A Cup which had a whopping 109 entrants. 
This was a massive team performance from the starting 11 and substitutions in very difficult conditions.Kieran O’Donnell and Kacper Banasik were equal contenders for MOTM after putting in huge shifts. Well done all   ️

Thanks to TY students Danny Farrell for the Match report and Paddy Fitzpatrick for Photography.

After signing their terms of war last week (as they put it themselves), on Tuesday, our senior debaters visited Scoil Chriost Ri to oppose the motion that ‘The modern world is a more difficult place for men than it is for women’.  Fantastic speakers on both sides. Photo 9 shows our team L to R; Captain Luke Walsh, Adam Baiju, Nathan Duffy and William Barrett. Managed and motivated by Ciarán O’Brien McCormack. Well done to William Barrett who was best speaker on the day. Thanks to Ms. Hyland, Ms. Carroll and Ms. Griffin from SCR for organising this.  TY’s are up next!