KDFL UNDER 20 CUP FINAL.
CARAGH CELTIC FC 1 7 NEWBRIDGE UNITED FC
After capturing the league title a few weeks ago, United came into this game hungry to leave with more silverware against a Caragh team who had knocked 6 past Naas United in the semi final.
From the first whistle, United showed how hungry they were, going hard into tackles and winning the first and second ball when it broke. Ryan Kearney hit the crossbar from twenty five yards out and some other chances went begging for United before they finally took the lead on eighteen minutes when Ben Loakman headed in from close range from a Glen Bracken corner. Two minutes later, United extended their lead - this time a long diagonal ball from Glen Bracken was missed by the keeper and Callum Sinclair made no mistake finishing into an empty net. Ben Loakman added his second just two minutes after again, running on to a fine ball by Ronan Brown to volley past the keeper and make it three in the space of four minutes. Caragh tried to get back into the game but Szymon Stepniak wouldn't let Caragh's main threat by him all game. Ronan Brown and Cian Quinn had been comfortable at the back as their partnership gets stronger each game. Maxwell Maina cut out the threat of the other wing, not giving Caragh a sniff at a chance. After Caragh's few minutes of pressure United found themselves on the attack again and James Redmond ran onto a Callum Sinclair through-ball five minutes before the end of the half and made no mistake, finishing low to make it 4-0 to United going into the break.
Caragh came out of the traps quick in the second half and pulled one back within the first two minutes to make it 4-1. This goal kicked life back into United and they took control again when Ryan Kearney extended United's lead again with a free kick to make it 5-1. Following some tidy play by United, Sinclair made a run past two defenders in the box and crossed low to James Redmond to make it 6-1. With just injury time remaining Avi Olasogba muscled by one defender before slotting the ball by the Caragh keeper to make it 7-1.
United finished this inaugural U20s Cup Final in style, dominating the game with hard work and determination and were well deserved winners today.
Caragh, despite creating chances were unlucky to catch United in such form today. All the best for the future.