Nessa O’ Reilly is a normal seven year old but there’s one thing that makes her different and that is her ability to play pool.

Nessa was brought to my attention by local talent scout Noel Gregg who spotted her and her grandfather, Sean O’ Reilly playing pool in the Irishtown House. What amazed me when I saw her was her cue action and stance, her gifted ability to waltz around the table, taking no prisoners.

Nessa, whose hobbies include spelling, reading and football, says Arsenal is her favorite football team and she loves to watch Ken Doherty in action.

As a bonus from the proprietor of the Irishtown House, he’s willing to sponsor Nessa to an afternoon of free pool to enhance her talent!

Liffeys V Sacred Heart F.C. 4:2
Liffeys Win Without Heart!

A well below par performance by Liffeys was good enough to claim 3 points and remain proudly top of the table.

What annoyed me about this game was the attitude of the referee before the game. Now I know refs do get grief but when you hear a ref shouting to Liffey linesman that any misbehaving on the line and “I’ll pick up the ball and walk” before kick-off introduced unnecessary friction.

On with the game– Sacred F.C from Tallaght travelled to Ringsend Stadium hoping to improve on their 0:5 thumping inflicted by Liffeys in the first encounter.

Their hopes of improvement were looking good when number one choice goalkeeper Glen Rigley limped off after 10 minutes with a thigh muscle injury. Moment’s later James Bradshaw broke the deadlock with a tap– in in front of the post 1:0.

Sacred responded from the kick-off with a cross that David Lane couldn’t deal with, gifting the equalizer where replacement goalkeeper Philip Uzells’ first touch was picking the ball out of his own net, 1:1.

For the next half-hour Liffeys played with the attitude that they thought they only had to turn up to claim the points. But there was one player who stood out and that was Philip O’Connor with his Roy Keane attitude and to be honest without him in that first half things could have been so different.

Liffeys did take an undeserved lead just before the break through Andy Doolin off a Darren Rice corner, 2:1. After a half-time telling off by manager Karl Wilson, Liffeys started the second half for once playing ball and it was O’Connor with another one of his delightful balls picked out Clive O’ Reilly who in turn squared it and fortunately for Liffeys it went in off a Sacred’s defender, 3:1.

Ten minutes later Liffeys made it 4:1 after calamity Jane goalkeeping which left Clive O’Reilly with an open goal, Sacred did get a late consolation after sluggish defending, 4:2. Karl Wilson’s comments after the match were simple, poor performance– 3 points!

Liffeys committee would like to thank sponsors A.G.M. Builders for the new set of gear.
Attendance: 68
Star Man: Philip O’Connor.

Cambridge V Trinity Sports 0:0
Honors Shared By Top Two!

Cambridge U14A, under coaches Patrick Reynolds and David O’Connor realise that a win today could be the foundation of a league title and vice versa for their opponent’s manager as they currently sit level pegging top of the table with both teams dropping only 2 points after 6 games.

Cambridge, defending league cup winners one match away from the quarter finals, were certainly up for it and with a professional build-up prior to kick-off you can only compliment coach Patrick Reynolds and his players for their belief and focus. After only losing one game in 2004 this is a record they want to hold on to.

It was a mixed first half, both teams respecting each other, it was kind of whatever you do– we do!
First chance of the game came from a quality weighted corner by Niall McCabe and it was Daniel McDonnell’s effort which blasted just wide of the post. Trinity’s response was instant when their mid fielder’s effort from 30 yards thundered over the crossbar.

Then came the best chance of the game after man of the match Dillon Barnes juggled the ball around two defenders, picked out Daniel McDonnell with a dream cross, but his effort from his head never connected.

Halfway through the first half Barnes was unlucky with his powerful shot as it flew over the crossbar. Just before halftime Trinity’s free kick effort was blocked by a well-organized wall.

The second half was completely different, Trinity, right from re-start had their only chance with a one-on-one but this effort was below par. From there on it was one-way traffic, people like captain Montgomery and Byrne were dominant in defence and Tristan Nolan controlled midfield.

I felt sorry for Conor Byrne because he must have delivered from the half-way line a good half dozen quality weighted balls into Trinity’s box but his fellow team-mates could not finish them off.

At this stage Mr. Barnes was everywhere, half effort after half effort went wide and then Niall McCabe nearly stole the show in the death with his lob from 40 yards but it didn’t dip in time.

If there were stats in this match it would have been 75% to 25% in favour of Cambridge.

I would like to take this opportunity to wish Patrick, David and players all the best as they travel soon to Manchester with fellow clubs such as Shelbourne, Home Farm, and Cherry Orchard to participate in the Manchester Cup.
Attendance: 36
Starman: Dillon Barnes

Above: Cambridge U14A