U17 Match Report – Cabinteely FC 1 Carlow/Kilkenny 2

The concession of a goal inside the opening minute saw Cabo’s U17’s side fall to a narrow 2-1 defeat in their opening EA Sports National Underage League Group C fixture.

The home side trailed 2-0 at the break on Saturday afternoon at Ballycorus. But they rallied after the turnaround to pull one back. However, they were unable to find the equaliser their play probably deserved.

Carlow/Kilkenny took the lead after just 35 seconds when Peter Grogan converted at the back right stick when latching onto a low cross from the left flank. The winger then earned and stepped up to score a 26th-minute penalty kick.

The White and Green’s came out of the blocks for the second period. Tom O’Malley’s 48th-minute flick was just off target while two minutes later, the striker’s effort was superbly tipped over by away keeper Ben McCarron.

But Cabo made it 2-1 in the 51st minute as Sean Dowling’s shot from distance proved too hot for McCarron to handle as the ball fumbled over the goal-line.

Near full time, Carlow/Kilkenny nearly snatched a third as substitute Dylan Hand’s cross from the left flank hit the far post, bounced across back to the other upright before being cleared.