Match Reports

U13.3 Saturday Boys Leixlip United 4–0 Willows FC.

A fantastic performance from the lads on Saturday as we secured a comprehensive 4–0 home win against Willows.

The game got off to a difficult start, with the sun absolutely blinding at the beginning, making it nearly impossible to see at times! We also had three players pull out through illness before kick-off, forcing us to shuffle things around.

However, the lads adapted brilliantly and delivered a very comfortable win.

Our opening goal was a beauty. Darragh Byrnes picked up the ball on the left, dropped past his full-back and played a lovely ball inside to Odhran Maher, who finished superbly at the near post.

The second goal was equally impressive. Eli Gubbins raced past his full-back down the right-hand side and delivered a beautiful cross into the box. Luke Keenan arrived perfectly to finish first time with a lovely touch to make it 2–0.

After the break, Scott Reilly produced another moment of quality, dropping his shoulder before threading a perfectly weighted pass between the two centre-halves. Luke Keenan timed his run brilliantly and calmly slotted the ball past the goalkeeper to grab his second of the game.

Scott was involved again for the fourth. Driving down the left, he cut inside, beat two defenders and rounded the goalkeeper. Just as he looked ready to finish, Luke Keenan pounced to complete his hat-trick and seal the 4–0 victory!

Eli Gubbins went close the death hitting the post.

With two of the boys celebrating their birthdays ( Eli Gubbins & Harry Keane ) this weekend as well, plenty of smiles on boys.

U12 Major Boys Leixlip United 6-2 Swords Celtic.

Another strong performance by the boys on Saturday Morning. They worked hard and played with intensity, quickly going 3 goals up. Swords got back into it and we needed some strong saves from Ronan to keep us ahead. At 4-2 it was shaping up for a tight finish, but we got two goals in the last 10 mins to close out the game. Well done boys.

Goal scorers: Quin Maguire x2, Ryan Dwyer, James Dooley, Sean Campbell and Darragh Connolly.

U14 Major boys Leixlip United 3-2 Drogheda.

Leixlip put in a great performance to beat the league leaders. We had some great chances early on and went 1-0 when Hubert Machon got on the end of a freekick into the Drogheda yard box. Drogheda came back at us though, and got 2 goals.

The lads began to get a foothold in the game again and some great play in the edge of the Drogheda box led to Conor Gallagher being played through. Conor the finished neatly into the corner.

We looked much the stronger team in the second half and reduced Drogheda to a few half chances on the break. Otherwise it was all Leixlip and deservedly got a winner 5 minutes from time when Peter Doyle dribbled into the Drogheda box, was brought down, and got up to score the penalty himself.

The lads will take great confidence from today, and played a good Drogheda side off the park for most of the game.

Goal scorers: Hubert Machon, Conor Gallagher and Peter Doyle.

U11.6 Boys Manortown United FC vs Leixlip United.

Their good start to the season continues, with five wins from five for the boys.

We didn’t play our best football today, and rode our luck at times, but still managed to score a few goals and our GK made some nice saves. Overall happy to keep the good run going.

Goal scorers: Cuán Farrelly X2 and Axel Nolan.

U11.10 Boys Leixlip United 9–3 Granada.

Strong performance again from the lads on Saturday. Played some nice passing football and scored a few lovely goals. Verner Efu and Bobby Elworthy were on top form with 8 goals between them, but the lads at the back played their part as well with a disciplined display. Hopefully we can continue the good form into next week.

Goal scorers:Verner Efu x 5, Bobby Elworthy x 3 and Sean Kelly Murray.

U13 Major Boys Crumlin 0 – 1 Leixlip United.

Most satisfying performance and result of the season against a strong Crumlin side in a ground where it always tough to get a result.

What was most pleasing was how we matched Crumlins aggression and physicality. The intensity from both teams was top class throughout the game but we got our breakthrough 10 minutes into the second half when Eanna Farraghers strike across the keeper was parried into the path of Daniel Tighe who tucked it away.

We stood strong for the rest of the game and even though Crumlin where piling in the pressure, we limited them to very few chances. Every member of the squad was top class but 4 players stood out and were outstanding: Ollie Dagg Moran at left back, Sam Cooper in centre midfield, Daniel Tighe on the wing and lastly Jack Hu0dson, who played the game in very difficult circumstance.

U15 Major Boys Portmarnock 0-4 Leixlip United.

Early start away to the league leaders and our lads were wide awake. We were in top from the first whistle and took the lead 15 minutes in.

Daniel O'Shea cut in from the right and played the ball across the 18 yard line where Alan Maly smashed it in to the top corner. Less than 5 minutes later it was 2. Tadhg Mallon picked up the ball on the halfway line and went on a mazy dribble, slipped the ball through to Sean Boland on the edge of the box and he turned inside the centre back and finished brilliantly.

Nicholas Gajovic came on at half time and made an instant impact heading home Lucas Duffys corner 2 minutes into the second half. Tate Rampaul rounded off the scoring when he headed in Lucas Duffys pinpoint cross at the back post. Another really good performance from the lads and a result which puts us right in the mix at the top of the table.

U16 Premier Boys Leixlip United 2-1 St Joesphs.

Goalscorers : Ben Osmic and Dennis Salgau.

U13.4 Sunday Boys Leixlip United 2-2 Portmarnock.

Points shared at home against a strong Portmarnock side on Sunday but we started off really slow and Portmarnock took advantage when they struck first to make it 1-0.

We struggled to get into the game for the rest of the half and went in at the break 1 down. We started the second half stronger but found ourselves 2 down when a cross went in over our keepers head and found the back of the net.

The lads kept their heads up though and we got a penalty when Ben Cambpells jersey was pulled in the box which Benny Tyrell put into the bottom corner to make it 2-1.

We made it 2-2 when Saul Farnan scored an excellent header which gave the keeper no chance. Minutes later Ruadhan Kelly’s shot was cleared off the line and despite chances at both ends it finished level.

Goal scorers: Benny Tyrell and Saul Farnan

U13 Major 1 Girls Leixlip United 2-0 River Valley Rangers.

We looked dangerous whenever we had possession high up and Liadha Dolan made no mistake with the first clear cut chance, sliding the ball into the right corner when under pressure from a defender.

Isla Staunton was immense at centre back and smothered any River Valley attacks. Their best chance in the first half came from a lofted effort from way out that Lara Keegan dealt with well with the sun in her eyes.

The second half followed a similar pattern and again we were clinical with our first chance, Indi Collins slipping Ashley Krumina in on the right side and Ashley cutting inside, getting her shot off while holding off a defender to score into the left side of the goal.

River Valley’s only real second half chance came with about 10 minutes to go when we were too nice, standing off after a drop ball. They got straight through on goal but Lara stood tall and made a great save from point blank range. We had a lot of pressure near the end and could have added a third but 2-0 was probably a fair reflection. Girl of the match was Cara Lloyd who put in a huge shift up front and left nothing out there on a very warm day.

U17 Major Boys FAI CUP Maynooth 0 – 6 Leixlip United.

First 40 minutes Maynooth were better than us just wanted it more they hit the bar from a 30 yarder and the post from a header at a corner.

We snook ahead just before halftime when a scramble in the box after a corner fell to Harry Nevin and his shot deflected through bodies and went in. To say the team talk at half time was heated is an understatement we made 3 changes and brought in lads we had rested and Daniel Bradley set the tone up top and he finished neatly from a Max Farnan flick to make it two.

Soon after Nathan Byrne made it 3 with a neat finish after a Max Farnan shot. Then Emmanuel Okonye set up Daniel Bradley for his second another great finish, Senan Moriarty stepped up and got the next two one from great work by Harry Nevin who put it on a plate for him in the six yard box to tap into and open goal.

It was a result we needed so hopefully we take the second half performance into next weekend.

Youth Major Girls Leixlip United 3 – 2 Cherry Orchard.

We went one down inside two minutes, two down after their striker muscled in behind a ball over the top, & then worse - Daisy, a huge threat for us, limped off with a hamstring strain.

At 2 down it could have been a rerun but we felt the tide was turning when the girls lifted it and gave Cherry Orchard no peace. Then reward came when Ava Cummins met an Emma corner sweetly.

Momentum and determination built, Faye had two big chances, Sophie was relentless closing - game on.

The equaliser- Abby's long throw, a clever Sophie header which Emma carried & switched play to Cara Moriarty who finished neatly: 2-2 & half time.

Backs to the wall at times Selina wrestled in midfield, at the back Marie Isabelle, Abby, Jazzy, Pratibha & Lauren had lots to deal with defending & all stood up. Juliette is one of our two keepers & given the injuries she had to contribute outfield (but loved it!).

Danielle pulled off four saves in ten frantic minutes, including a strong-wristed dive to her right.

We are so proud of the character shown today. The winner came from Emma a clever one-two with Faye and a finish full of class.

Emma nearly added a screamer for good measure but their keeper stretched to keep it out.

We’re delighted the girls have taken a big step!

U17.2 Boys FAI CUP Skerries Town 2 – 6 Leixlip United.

Really late kick off close to 4pm on a Sunday out in Skerries for FAI Cup. Game a lot closer than final result, we played a good side a few divisions below us in the league.

Leixlip scored after 10 minutes after Stevie Owen’s got on the ball close to the half from a long throw Calum Dodd and after beating 2 opponents he played a lovely ball behind back line for Brendan Carolan to finish bottom right corner. 2-0 up after 20 minutes with a beautiful free kick from Aidan McConville into top left corner giving their keeper no chance.

]We got our third 10 minutes before half time with a powerful run from the back by Zach Fitzpatrick and Stevie Owen’s this time assisting Aidan McConville who finished from a tight angle with powerful strike into top left.

Second half we again took our chances early when Ben Murphy went unchallenged from a quick throw Conor Watkins and stuck from 20 yards out with a clinical finish. Brendan Carolan got his second after great play from Ben Kineavy and Stevie Owen’s in midfield.

Our final goal came from a half volley from Luke Schuster after beautiful pass over the top from Steve McLoughlin at the back. Skerries got 2 back in second half and in truth probably deserved more only for Conor Horan making some excellent saves in second half.

U13 Premier Girls Raheny 0-1 Leixlip United.

Early KO in st. Annes park between 2 evenly matched teams. Leixlip started strongly with efforts from Olivia Flood and Cara McConville going close. Midway through first half Olivia Flood was through 1v1 with the keeper and was dragged back by defender and should have had a penalty but ref waved play on. Nil all at halftime.

Second half Olivia Flood continued to be a constant threat and raced on to a through ball from Lucy Murphy to narrowly shoot wide. Raheny stepped it up but Leixlip defence was equal to the challenge.

With 5 minutes left Olivia Flood beat 2 players and was dragged down in box , this time the ref pointed to the spot. Holly Moane stepped up to calmly place it in the corner. Raheny chased the equaliser and we needed a great save from Emma Yaverbaum to guarantee us the 3 points. Good win away from home.

U12 Major Girls Leixlip United 2 - 1 Malahide FC.

The Girls bounced straight back to winning ways with a hard-fought 2-1 victory at home against Malahide Sunday morning. It was a terrific response to last week's disappointment, with the girls showing great determination to get back on track.

The goals came from Lottie Clifford and Naoise Mehari, both finishing superbly to secure all three points. Naoise, leading the line up front, took her goal with real composure, while Lottie drove forward from midfield to get on the scoresheet in fine style.

Player of the match was Lottie Clifford, who was outstanding from start to finish, controlling the game from midfield, getting on the scoresheet, and working tirelessly up and down the pitch to drive the team forward all morning.

A fantastic team performance all round, with every player contributing to a well-deserved win. A great morning's work from the girls.