Soccer
Since January, the teams that were still in competition performed admirably.
Our squads have improved and expanded since last year helping to cement the future of the soccer club in our school. The club would like to thank management and staff for its support during the 2010/11 season.
1st Year Soccer
The 1st years started 2011 with a group game against top seeds, St. Mary’s up in Drom.
Our players defended well against an organised St. Mary’s attack and on a wonderfully timed counter attack Caimín Rooney scored a terrific goal to put the Jes 1 – 0 up at half time.
St. Mary’s equalised at the start of the second half with a penalty, but the Jes team was starting to get control of the game and deservedly went in front with a stunning long range shot from Ross Murphy. The Jes looked good for all three points until 7 minutes from the end when a mix up in our defence gifted St. Mary’s with an equaliser. Things were to get worse, as with only 3 minutes remaining a tame shot was deflected off a Jes defender to put St. Mary’s 3 – 2 up. The 1st year’s heads didn’t drop however, and with great resolve they pushed on, forcing a last minute corner. The resulting corner dropped into the box and after a frantic scramble the ball was forced over the line by Ryan Hunt, to end the game 3 – 3.
The final group game against Garbally in Ballinasloe was crucial as the winner would qualify for the knockout stages. The Jes, starting very strongly, proved too good for the Garbally outfit and after 15 minutes the Jes were 3 – 0 up thanks to goals from Morgan Hanley, Ross Murphy and Ryan Sheerin. Garbally managed to steady their ship for the remainder of the half, however, the game had run away from them and the Jes ran out 6 – 1 winners by the end.
This meant that the Jes had qualified for the quarterfinals against local rivals the Bish.
The game took place in Drom on a windy, overcast afternoon. The Bish team was extremely strong and dominated most of the game. The Jes defence held out for 30 minutes before conceding twice in the dying stages of the half. This effectively ended the game as the Jes never got back into the tie. The Bish went on to win the game.
The 1st years have played well this year and only lost to an excellent Bish team that are now in the all – Ireland final having won all their games conceding only 2 goals on their way.
The Jes were a match for all other teams at this age level and will be in a strong position to compete next year at under – 14.
Under – 14 Soccer
The U – 14 team started the second half of the season with an away game to St. Enda’s with both teams needing a win as the U – 14 Bish team looked, already, to be strong favourites to take top spot. The game started well for the Jes, but for all their pressure, were unable to convert the numerous chances that fell their way.
St. Enda’s caught the Jes on a counter attack to score first, which left the Jes chasing the tie. The second half continued in the same vein as the first, with the Jes forcing the game but unable to take their chances.
St. Enda’s scored a scrappy second with 5 minutes to go, to kill the tie, and added insult to injury by scoring a third in the last minute.
The final game of the group against the Bish was a formality as the Jes could now, not qualify. The Jes played well and were competing strongly, however the Bish eventually ran out 2 – 1 winners.
The U – 14 team had been diluted, as a lot of our players from last year were over age, and four or five 1st years had to be drafted into the squad. It made this competition very difficult but hopefully the experience given to the first years will stand to us next year.
Under – 15 Soccer
This competition started in late March with a Quarter – final against St. Aloysius, Athlone.
The squad had performed well in friendlies against Headford and Oughterard.
The game against St. Aloysius was very tight with the Jes shading it in the first half but unable to find the back of the net. In the second half the Jes struck the post twice and dominated the game, however with 10 minutes to go St. Aloysius scored against the run of play. The Jes pushed for an equaliser, to force the game into extra time. A late Jes corner resulted in the ball rolling along the mouth of the goal, and then going wide.
The game ended in defeat for this promising U – 15 side. Almost all of this squad will be eligible for U – 16 next year, giving us a large talented group to select from.
The Club would like to thank Mr. Lavelle, Mr. Maughan and Mr. O’Murchu for all the coaching, managing and organising that they put in this year. The club would not be able to function without their hard work.
We hope to bring our squads forward into next year’s competitions and continue to improve the solid ground work that has been achieved to date.
