Photographs courtesy of R Cuddy
Linesman: L Boggan (Well, he carried the flag but did no actual work)
Linesman: L Boggan (Well, he carried the flag but did no actual work)
Belmont FC reaped the rewards of extensive training and hard work with a 6-0 victory against St James Athletic in the Under 9 Premier League Cup Saturday. “The match represented everything that was good in football” said a delighted Managerial team after the game. “We had
a shaky start to the season, but the win against AFC Belgrave last week really provided us with a platform on which to build”. “All credit to Paul Sheehan who stepped in to manage the team after we pushed off to do the Wexford cycle”. Indeed, this correspondent overheard considerable mutterings among the players and families that Boggan and Mulcahy were returning for the grudge match with St James Athletic. Nevertheless, the generally uncomplaining and long-suffering parents took to the sidelines in their droves to cheer on their little darlings. Weather beautiful, pitch immaculate, game on!
The gaffers started with their usual 2-3-1 formation with Booth in goal, Cloonan and Sheehan in defence, Boggan, Mulcahy and Yarr in midfield and Dowling in attack. A potent strike force, this reporter mused at the time. The subs bench was also packed with talent with Cuddy, Dempsey, O’Brien and O'Sullivan all drooling to get into the action. The early exchanges were fierce, but it is clear that the Belmont team has taken shape over the past month with players passing freely between defence, 
midfield and attack. Some neat touches indeed from Boggan, Yarr and Mulcahy, as well as fine crosses and long-balls, so that the St James midfield and defence were ripped open on several occasions early on. It was Dowling who broke the deadlock on 9 minutes when a long cross into the penalty area fell at his feet and it needed only a quick controlling touch before he blasted in for the opener. This provided Belmont with even more confidence and it wasn’t long before another neat series of passes between Yarr, Boggan and Dowling found Mulcahy unmarked in space. Mulcahy didn’t stand on ceremony and lashed the ball inside the lower right post to make it 2-0. It was at this point that Booth, who had not touched the ball all match fell asleep in his goal netting as Sheehan and Cloonan dozed 
just outside their penalty box. There was so little for them to do that Cloonan spent much of his time in the St James box and had several close attempts on goal. As the quarter hour approached, it was time for some fresh legs and the introduction of Cuddy, Dempsey and O’Brien in quick succession. Indeed, O’Brien’s first touch of the ball on 18 minutes resulted in Belmont’s third goal after he connected with another lethal cross from Mulcahy. A well taken debut goal from this potential star.
midfield and attack. Some neat touches indeed from Boggan, Yarr and Mulcahy, as well as fine crosses and long-balls, so that the St James midfield and defence were ripped open on several occasions early on. It was Dowling who broke the deadlock on 9 minutes when a long cross into the penalty area fell at his feet and it needed only a quick controlling touch before he blasted in for the opener. This provided Belmont with even more confidence and it wasn’t long before another neat series of passes between Yarr, Boggan and Dowling found Mulcahy unmarked in space. Mulcahy didn’t stand on ceremony and lashed the ball inside the lower right post to make it 2-0. It was at this point that Booth, who had not touched the ball all match fell asleep in his goal netting as Sheehan and Cloonan dozed 
just outside their penalty box. There was so little for them to do that Cloonan spent much of his time in the St James box and had several close attempts on goal. As the quarter hour approached, it was time for some fresh legs and the introduction of Cuddy, Dempsey and O’Brien in quick succession. Indeed, O’Brien’s first touch of the ball on 18 minutes resulted in Belmont’s third goal after he connected with another lethal cross from Mulcahy. A well taken debut goal from this potential star.
The halftime talk was short and sharp. All the managers said was “Continue doing what you are doing”. The second half only cemented the view that this team is going from strength to strength. Sheehan retired into goal to rest himself while Cuddy, Booth, Yarr and and Dempsey pushed forward in attack and goals were not long in coming. First, a deft solo run from Cuddy to 
the right hand side of the box and, seeing the goalkeeper off his line, an incredibly cheeky chip over his head from a tight angle to score Belmont’s fourth. The introduction of O’Sullivan only added to St James’ woes as he beat several players in his first attack to score with a well hit shot. Five nil and St James flagging. Yet, the Belmont team seemed hardly to have broken sweat as Booth, Cuddy and O’Sullivan repeatedly caused havoc in attack. Perhaps the most potent threat was from Yarr, whose vision, tactical awareness and silky passing skills have added a new dimension to the team. It only remained for Cuddy to wrap up the match on 35 minutes with a deft left footed shot into the left corner after another fine lay off from Yarr. Cuddy, the two footed wonderkid was on fire!
the right hand side of the box and, seeing the goalkeeper off his line, an incredibly cheeky chip over his head from a tight angle to score Belmont’s fourth. The introduction of O’Sullivan only added to St James’ woes as he beat several players in his first attack to score with a well hit shot. Five nil and St James flagging. Yet, the Belmont team seemed hardly to have broken sweat as Booth, Cuddy and O’Sullivan repeatedly caused havoc in attack. Perhaps the most potent threat was from Yarr, whose vision, tactical awareness and silky passing skills have added a new dimension to the team. It only remained for Cuddy to wrap up the match on 35 minutes with a deft left footed shot into the left corner after another fine lay off from Yarr. Cuddy, the two footed wonderkid was on fire!
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