Monday 28.8.23

An inspired late double substitution from BUFC U12 White Team manager Kevin Gillespie ensured his side finished their preseason program with a 2-1 win at home to Merville United this evening.

Trailing 1-0 to an early 2nd half strike, it was a two goals in the closing 5 minutes by Fionn McHale and Kryan Gethins after being sprung from the bench, which settled this very entertaining friendly fixture played in ideal late summer conditions.

All 15 members of the squad worked tirelessly with and without the ball throughout and their early season fitness regime helped them finish strongly and then go on to take the spoils when Rian O’Brien slotted a killer through ball to Gethins who finished expertly into the bottom right-hand corner.

The home side rode their luck early on as a formidable Merville United side went close on a couple of occasions before a back post volley following a set piece put them ahead despite the heroics of stand in keeper Sean Giblin’s best efforts.

However, as is customary, the lads heads did not drop and sometimes ‘the harder you work the luckier you get’ proves to be the case.

A solid rear-guard bravely led by Noah Curley and Rian McConigly from our U11 squad combined brilliantly with Darragh Culkin and Scott Breheny to keep their team in the game having fallen behind.

Team captain on the night Conor Crossan along with his midfield partners Samuel Oyewusi, Wesley Elliott and Bobby Cavanagh covered every inch of the pitch pressing the opposition to win back possession on countless occasions while Marcel Koniesczka, AJ McDonagh and Kaleb Leydon ran the channels effectively to give them options up front.

A sizeable crowd of parents and relatives turned out again to support along with members of the off duty BUFC U12 Red Team  - great to see the collective spirit in this group of honest boys as they prepare for their first season of competitive football which starts on Saturday with the U12 Red Team at home to local outfit Strand Celtic at 9.30am. BRING THE ROAR 🔴⚪