Ballyowen’s SDFL brilliance

BALLYOWEN Celtic produced a dominant performance in a 2-0 win over local rivals Liffey Valley Rangers to lift the U-12 Marie O’Reilly Cup at the SDFL Complex.
Ballyowen took the lead after 10 minutes when Ben Walker headed Samuel Ogidan’s cross towards the far post back into the path of Thomas O’Malley and the striker found the bottom corner from five yards.
They had a chance to double their advantage a few minutes later when the impressive Ogidan was released down the left wing as Walker burst a lung strike on goal trying to keep up and get into the box.
Ogidan crossed and Walker reached it before the Liffey Valley defence but keeper Nathan Debotte managed to palm the ball away.
Liffey Valley then thought they had equalised but a fine long-range strike cannoned back off the crossbar and Ballyowen managed to clear.
Ballyowen should have had their second goal when Gabby Ciotea made a great run down the left wing, cut inside, and got a strike on goal that Delbotte did well to keep out. Walker tried to follow up in the centre but a sublime last-ditch block from a Liffey Valley defender kept the score at 1-0.
Ciotea was starting to cause havoc down the left and created another good opportunity, this time for Ogidan. The midfielder ghosted into the box to pick up a pass from Ciotea but he lost his footing just as he was about to let fly and Liffey Valley came away with the ball.
Ogidan was involved again moments later when he played a good ball into Walker who controlled and knocked past his marker. He lost control, however, and Delbotte managed to reach it first.
His attempted clearance was blocked and landed into the path of O’Malley just outside the box but a Liffey Valley defender did well to prevent him getting a strike at the empty net.
Liffey Valley had a rare chance after doing well to clear two successive corners, with Joshua Ewassa looking to get through on goal but Rachel Wall got across for Ballyowen to put out for a throw.
They had another chance when Aoife Farrell delivered an excellent ball into the box for Ewassa. He got his effort on target but it was well blocked and after a scramble, the ball was eventually hooked away.
With 10 minutes remaining Liffey Valley poured forward in search of an equaliser and almost found it when Ewassa picked up the ball on the edge of the box and unleashed a shot towards the top corner that David Miclea did well to push away.
Ballyowen eventually sealed the win two minutes later in spectacular fashion when Ciotea casually stroked first-time into the top corner.