Sat, Jan 5th - Youth League Divn 1: Blarney Youths 1, Carrigaline  1, O'Shea Park. (Pat McAulliffe) 2:00pm

A late goal by Ivan O'Leary earned Blarney a fortuitous 1-1 draw from their Top - of - the - table clash with Carrigaline in the Daly Industrial - Stihl match of the week at O'Shea Park last Saturday. Carrigaline will be very disappointed that they could not hold on to a lead in a game that they dominated. Their football was precise, free - flowing and rhythmic coupled with tremendous movement and really for large chunks of the game, Blarney had no answer to their controlled tempo. But great credit must be given to Blarney for not throwing the towel in, despite being mostly outplayed. They persevered and got rewarded for their efforts when O'Leary got the equaliser late on in the second half after Paddy Kelleher had fired the visitors in front on 20 minutes. Carrigaline were first to threaten when Cathal McGuinness danced past his marker before swinging in a dangerous cross that was just too high for the unmarked David Manley at the far post. The visitors' early pressure paid off when Kelleher used blistering pace to latch onto a ball over the top before firing low past the advancing Eoin Murphy for the opener on 20 minutes. Carrigaline continued to impress and after being awarded a free kick near the centre, David Manley's headed effort from Darren Kelly's delivery was comfortably collected by Murphy. Then, shortly before the break, McGuiness produced a good run down the left flank before crossing for Kelleher but Eoin Murphy did just enough to foil the danger. The trend of the game continued in the opening stages of the second half and Niall Coakley was unlucky to see his decent first time effort flash wide from Kelleher's pass. This was followed by another close call for Blarney when Carrigaline's Simon Vereecke won the race to the ball over Murphy, but he poked his effort narrowly wide. Blarney continued to battle on and after Carrigaline's failure to clear Darragh O'Brien's corner kick, O'Leary latched onto a loose ball before steering his effort into the Carrigaline net for the equaliser on 75 minutes. This ignited the home side's desire and they pressed forward in search of the winner but in the end it was not forthcoming and this result now means that little change has occurred in a section that is quickly becoming one of the most competitive in the league.

Courtesy: Barry Peelo, Evening Echo.

St, Dec 8th - Youth League Divn 1: Blarney Youths 1, Avondale 1, O'Shea Park. (Stuart Joyce) 2:00pm

A superb strike from Ivan O'Leary helped Blarney come from behind to a earn a share of the spoils in their 1-1 draw against Avondale at a blustery O'Shea Park last Saturday. The atrocious weather conditions did not get in the way of this fixture as the game was played in what can only be described as a magnificent modern all -weather pitch that Blarney can be so very proud of having at their headquarters  in O'Shea Park. Avondale were the brighter side out of the blocks and in the end, it was David Carroll's 34th minute goal that denied Blarney going top of the league. But Blarney did come back into it and got their just rewards when O'Leary equalised to make it 1-1 going into the break. The second half was a scrappy affair but it must be said that a swirling strong wind did not help matters as players had to take extra touches in their efforts to control the ball. Blarney will look back with regret after squandering a couple of gilt - edged chances in the first half but in the overall play, a draw was probably a fair result on the day. The first chance of note came to Blarney when Chris O'Connor could not believe his luck when the ball broke kindly for him just yards from the Avondale keeper but O'Connor failed to direct his shot beyond Colm Barry and the net minder collected comfortably. But Avondale were getting the better of the early exchanges and made their superiority count when they went in front after Dave Carroll broke through the Blarney defence to slot home beyond Eoin Murphy making it 1-0 to the visitors on 10 minutes. Avondale continued to press and Michael Doody forced Eoin Murphy to make a magnificent save when the Blarney net minder had to stretch before tipping over what was a rasping effort from 25 yards out. The visitors kept the pressure on and after Ian Giltinan's effort from distance flew over, Dave Carroll set Doody up with a clever pass but the Avondale forward blasted over. But Blarney were showing signs of regaining their composure and when Chris O'Connor controlled well with a neat touch, he took off down the left channel before crossing in for the unmarked Kevin Walsh but with the goal gaping at the Blarney substitute, he fired disappointingly wide of the target to waste a tremendous goal - scoring opportunity. Blarney were now in command and continued to show further initiative when O'Leary controlled well before rifling an unstoppable effort past Barry for the equalizer in the 34th minute. Avondale nearly had the final say though near end of the first half when Dave Carroll set Doody up with a delightful through ball and it took huge awareness from Eoin Murphy as he came off his line in time enough to block Doody's goal - bound effort. Avondale started brightly in the second period and after Danny O'Brien cleared a dangerous cross from Colm Parker, Eoin Murphy had to position himself well to deal with a firm header from Dave Carroll. At the other end Shane Finnegan knocked a cushioned header on for O'Leary but the Blarney forward fired over from a good position. Then Blarney had to endure a few moments of nervousness when Eoin Murphy had to make two attempts before dealing with Dave Carroll's low effort. Blarney did press forward in a desperate search for the winner as the 90th minute drew closer but the Avondale defence stood firm and in the end both sides had to settle for a share of the spoils.

Courtesy: Barry Peelo, Evening Echo.

Sat, Sept 1st - Youth League Cup-Grp c: Blarney U18s 1, Fermoy 1, O'Shea Park, 6:30pm. Jim O'Reilly

A goal from Aidan Leahy was enough for Blarney to secure a share of the spoils on Saturday evening in O'Shea Park. Aidan got on the end of a delivery from Danny Cronin's corner to even up the score at 1-1