We entertained Skibbereen this weekend in the quarter final of the U16 Bank of Ireland league Cup. This was a game of 2 contrasting halves, Our boys usually very quick out of the blocks were put under extreme pressure from the off by the Skibbereen rush defence who were very quick of the line stifling any go forward ball, and keeping our ball carriers on the back foot. The boys were finding it hard to get an fluency to their play as they were constantly harassed by a verywell drilled Skibbereen defence.

With ball in hand Skibbereen were also causing problems and stretched our the defence on a couple occasions, before they finally scored after constant early pressure. Skibbereen try after 15 minutes was dually converted and Old Christians trailed by 7.

Skibbereen kept the pressure on, as our boys worked manfully to turn the tide, but a few uncharacteristic errors kept giving Skibbereen the ball back and the encouragement to attack and when aa Old Christians move broke down inside the Skibbereen half the Skib backs put together what was probably the move of the match with the ball going through several pairs of hands with Skibbereen scoring in the corner. Try was unconverted Old Christians now trailed 0-12, without really firing a shot themselves. It was to the boys credit that 5 minutes later that we put a few phases together in their 22 and finally broke their resolute defence when Brian scored in the Corner. Sean converted a beauty from out wide the score now being Old Christians 7-12 approaching halftime. Skibbereen now ever were to have the final say of the first half when we conceded a penalty in our 22 which Skibbereen kicked for the posts to make the halftime score 7-15 to Skibbereen.

Old Christians started the second half with the bit between their teeth and with the introduction of Oscar, Shane, Matthew, Ollie,Oisin & Evyn the game began to turn in our favour, the boys were now finding their feet and started to resemble the team we know they are without hitting the heights that they have over the the last few weeks they were working very hard for each other and the strength of off the bench was making the difference, Liam crossed over in the corner and Sean again converted to put the minimum between the teams score now was 14-15 Skibbereen.

With Old Christians now in the ascendcy Liam scored his second and Sean again converted making the score now 21-15 and Old Christians lead for the first time in the game heading into the final 10 minutes.

Skibbereen were in no mood to go quietly and to their credit battered the Old Christians line knowing a converted try would probably clinch the game for them, but to a man the boys defended with everything they had, with Skibbereen being held up on the the line and on another occasion Shane getting a great turnover in our 22 when again Skibbereen had been piling on the pressure.

Heading into the last 3 minutes of the game and the game still in the balance our boys moved the ball up the field with some hard carries and eventually putting the ball through the hands for Liam to score his third and put the result beyond doubt Sean failing with the conversion on this occasion making the final score Old Christians 26- Skibbereen 15.

Not our finest display but the pleasing thing is the boys found away to win while not at their best.

The game now is a Squad effort and everyone of them played their part in this win. Congratulations to all well done.

We now face the winners of Highfield v Bandon in the Semi final date and venue yet to be decided.