Following a string of poor results BCFC Juniors took to the field knowing their luck had to change sometime. The last good run of form had come to an abrupt end on the Fair Green in Ennis when we played today’s opponents, Hermitage in the league. We played a 3-4-3 formation, with Mikey Keogh a usual first choice central defender playing as the third forward. Man of the match Danny Hanson was put on the right wing to curb the wide exploits of the Hermitage team. Midfield ball winner Ronan Cahill was pushed back to the rear guard 3 in place of Keogh. From the start we took control and within a minute had threatened the Hermitage goal. This tempo continued with a ball being played through midfield to Mike Keogh who played a peach of a pass into the path of John Feehily who slotted a shot past their keeper to go one up. The dominance of the Rats continued with the back three looking comfortable distributing good ball to the midfield. Then against the run of play a ball dropped between two BCFC defenders and a Hermitage forward. It was all too tight and the forward maximised on the opportunity winning a penalty which was excellently dispatched to the bottom left corner leaving goalkeeper Mikey Fitzpatrick with no chance.

Considering recent results it would have been understandable if our players had have retreated within themselves but instead to a man they stood up and made their own luck. Damien Brown and Cody Fitzgerald (captain) working up and down the midfield and wingers Niall Cahill and Danny Hanson attacking open space and tracking runner after runner. The co-ordination with the front three and the wingers was a joy to watch with each of John Feehily, Mikey Keogh and especially Ethan Kerin covering back when wingers attacked space. On one occasion when Niall Cahill forayed into the left corner a half clearance fell to Ethan who had taken up the covering position. Ethan took the ball down thirty yards out, looked up saw the keeper off his line and was unlucky to see the ball bounce on the roof of the net.

It remained even through half time but BCFC were growing in confidence. It was nip and tuck through the second half with both sides pressing. Niall Cahill eventually tired marking the most physical Hermitage player and was moved to centre forward. The switches also saw Mikey Keogh moved to the back three and Ronan Cahill was moved out to the wing to deal with the physicality. Within two minutes a ball played up the wing by Ronan contested in the box by John Feehily fell to Niall who placed the ball neatly in the Hermitage net. With about ten minutes to go additional pressure resulted in a corner which Damien Brown took. It was wonderful to see Danny Hanson, who had worked so hard all day make yet another run, get on the ball and hammer the header home.

Here's hoping our luck continues to turn with a run in the Cup and staving off relegation.

Team: Mikey Fitzpatrick; Martin Oige Murphy; Niall Hogan; Ronan Cahill; Cody Fitzgerald; Damien Brown; Mikey Keogh; John Feehily; Ethan Kerin; Niall Cahill; Danny Hanson.

Subs: Declan Meaney for Niall Cahill; David Quinn for Danny Hanson; Dylan Sinclair for Ethan Kerin; Darryl Maxwell, John Cahill