CUFL Premier Division South

Teams: Cork IT 1 vs Colaiste Stiofáin Naofa 1

Scorers: CIT: Conor Conneally. CSN: Llyold Dorgan Report CIT:

CSN travelled to CIT in the second round of fixtures in the combined league. Having won last year’s fixture between the two sides comfortably CIT were the favourites going into this game, but CSN came full of confidence having already beaten UCC.

There was a tentative opening to the game but CIT settled the better, keeping the ball well in midfield with Gavin Moore and Brian Murphy while Conor Conneally was unlucky not to get in behind a solid CSN centre half pairing of Peter McCarthy and James furlong, with runs from midfield. It wasn’t long before Gareth Cambridge and Chris Breen of CSN got to grips with the game and help their team settle. The first half saw two excellent footballing teams cancel each other out, but in the 42^nd minute Conneally’s runs from midfield finally paid off when he found himself one on one with CSN centre back Peter McCarthy after a pass from Brian Murphy, Conneally took full advantage, found a yard of space and riffled the ball past Shane Wright into the top corner to give CIT the lead. On the stroke of half time Cambridge was unlucky not to level from a 25 yard free kick, Shane Murphy in goal for CIT was rooted to the spot but the ball went agonisingly wide. Half time CIT 1 CSN 0.

In the second half for the first 20 minutes CSN through everything but the kitchen sink at CIT. Llyold Dorgan hit the crossbar with a long-range effort while the post denied Joe Sheehy with another pile driver from 25 yards. Shane Murphy was in top form saving efforts from Cambridge, Kenny O’ Leary and Chris Breen. The centre half pairing of Colum Nugent and John Forrest was under immense pressure and CIT were being overrun in midfield. CIT introduced Rob Watson to the midfield and dropped Willie Heffernan to the right and CIT then looked to have weathered the storm. On a counter attack from CIT Gavin Moore made a run from midfield, having received a pass from Heffernan, Moore looked to have made the perfect run and was through on goal but to everyone’s amazement the flag went up. Less than a minute later CSN found themselves on the attack at the other end and Llyold Dorgan tried his luck with another long-range powerful effort, this time Murphy had no chance and CSN deserved to level the game. 1-1.

The closing stages of the game were a lot like the opening 15 minutes. Both sides looked more concerned with losing the game and were happy with a point. CIT did have an opportunity but Andrew Daunt put his shot wide. It was a well-deserved point for each side in a fantastic and entertaining game. CIT 1 CSN 1.