Hello and welcome again to another issue of Sports Desk. Just to let Senior teams know that the Noel Fox Memorial Tournament will be starting in the coming months. There are still places left at the moment.

We have holders and favourites to defend their title: Markievicz Celtic, St Pat’s CY, Ringsend Rovers, Liffeys, Irishtown FC and Pearse Rangers. If any other club is interested please contact me at ‘News Four’.

From this year on there will be no seedings, it will be an open draw.

In the June issue of News Four this page will be an All Stars Hall of Fame which will feature outstanding players from junior and senior teams throughout the area. These players will be chosen by their managers.

Pearse Rangers V Dublin Bus 5:0.
Five Star Performance by Keogh

This under 10s B1 match was a top of the table clash with both teams level-pegging on points and games, and as we now enter the final quarter of the season the winners of this match could easily end up as league champions.

It was a lively start by both teams and with only minutes on the clock it was a quick thinking throw in from Dillon O’Toole to Ivan Soroka who made it 1:0 from close range. For the next 10 minutes Dublin Bus dominated. If is wasn’t for the heroics of Pearse’s goalkeeper, Ryan Keogh, Paul Mooney’s team could have been in trouble but they weathered the storm and their second goal came from a Dublin Bus defender off a Dillon O’Toole cross, 2:0.

From that moment, Dublin Bus lost heart, especially when players like Ivan Soroka, Steven Waters and Dillon O’Toole were in full flow. It was a fantastic finish to the first half.

Ryan Keogh was tested again from the restart but there was nothing going to pass his line today. With substitutes flying on and off, Paul Mooney’s team exploded into life. Their third goal came from Lee Ryan as Dublin Bus tried to play the ball out of their own half, 3:0. Their fourth and fifth goal came from quick feet Steven Waters, 5:0.

Other stars were Leann Paine, Patrick Kirwin, Philip Roche, Lee Uzell, Paul Mooney, Dillon Riordan and Aaron Kilic.

As manager Paul Mooney stated, it was a brilliant performance and they now sit proudly on top of the table.

(Pearse Rangers under 10s are currently looking for sponsorship of a set of gear– if interested please contact Paul Mooney)

Man of the Match: Shared by Ryan Keogh, Steven Waters, and Ivan Keogh.

Liffeys V Beggsboro 3:1
Liffeys March On

Three points today for Liffeys would see pressure mount on the likes of Drumcondra, Mount Merrion and Celbridge as they play catch-up, but also have games in hand and are ready to pounce on any mistake league favourites and leaders make.

Well there were no mistakes by Liffeys. It was a solid performance and a well-behaved display. Liffeys earned the lead early on from an Andy Doolin header off an Anto O’Connor cross 1:0. For the remainder of the first half it was one-way traffic, with Doolin missing a tap-in from 5 yards to extend their lead.

The start of the second half was similar to the first only this time goal provider turned goal scorer after sluggish defending as O’Connor made it 2:0 with his precision finishing.

By this stage full credit to John Byrne who was rock solid in defence. Kevin O’Toole and James Sullivan ran their socks off in the middle of the park and O’Connor ready for any half chance up front.

O’Toole nearly turned hero with his breathtaking strike which breezed passed the top right corner from 35 yards, instead moments later turned villain as his cushion back header gifted Beggsboro striker a goal which left keeper Glen Rigley no chance, 2:1.

Suddenly for the visitors there was light at the end of the tunnel but it was James Bradshaw who effectively shut that door with his match winner, 3:1.

Overall it was an enjoyable game. What surprised me was the likes of John Mullen and Philip O’Connor having a below-par performance. Come the day when the team play like they did today on top of all that if you have Mullen and O’Connor in full flow, I’d feel sorry for their opponents.
Man of the Match: Anto O’Connor.

The Committee would like to take this opportunity to thank A.G.M Builders, Crawford’s of Sandymount and the proprietor of the Widow Scanlon’s for their generous sponsorship.

Top: Pearse Rangers Under 10s.
Middle: Celbridge player Andrew Doyle with new gear sponsored by DOC.
Below: Team of the Month Bath Rangers.