It has been a hectic week in the Soccer Department at Hazelwood College. It started on Monday with Katie Lawlee returning from Tirana after her successful trip captaining Ireland WU17 team to wins against Albania (7-1) and Israel (3-0). These wins mean Ireland have qualified for the next round of the UEFA WU-17 Championship.
Next up were the u17’s who traveled to Pallaskenry to meet Salesian’s College in the quarter finals of the North Munster League on Tuesday. The game was a fast paced game with both teams going through periods of being on top. Hazelwood twice fell behind but great goals from Gary Donegan and Adam O’Kelly meant we went into the half time break 3-2 ahead. With neither team able to unlock the oppositions defense in the second half, the final score was 3-2
On Wednesday the u15’s had a fantastic win over MICC Dunmanway to progress to the final of the FAI Munster Trophy. Huge congratulations to this wonderful bunch of players, with excitement building already for their upcoming final against Carrick on Suir. Goals on the day came from Noah Finn, Ollie Stokes and DJ Cussen. As a result of this win, the u15’s will also now enter the Munster Cup at Quarter Final stage. The two finalists from the trophy and the remaining 6 teams in the Cup make the quarter finals of the FAI Munster Cup.
Thursday started with the First Years heading to Charleville to meet Nano Nagle in the quarter final of the FAI Collins Cup. Weather conditions meant it was a challenging day for all. Wind, hailstones and dazzling sunlight, all seasons in a morning. Final score on the day was Hazelwood College – 7 Nano Nagle – 0.
It was a quick turnaround for the 1st years, back to school, lunch and then 48 students across the years loaded onto the bus for a trip to Athlone to see Robbie Lynch represent the school at the U18 Schoolboys Ireland vs Scotland in the SAFIB Centenary Shield. An incredible display of talent was put on by both nations in an end to end high paced encounter at Athlone Town AFC. The speed of the game on the 4G pitch was impressive to watch. Under early pressure from a strong Scotland side, Robbie’s quick reflexes put in a line saving block after the keeper had been beaten. A Scottish penalty , a cracking goal from Ireland , final score was Ireland 1 Scotland 1 in arctic conditions.
Ahead for the Hazelwood Soccer department is another busy period. The first years have a FAI Munster Collins Cup semi-final and a North Munster League semi-final to look forward to. The u15’s have a FAI Munster Trophy Final, a FAI Munster Cup Quarter Final tom come and a North Munster League semi-final on Monday next. The u17’s have a North Munster League semi-final and the u19’s are out next week for their North Munster League quarter final against Crescent College.
Katie has the next round of WU-17 qualifying on the horizon, Robbie will travel to Athlone next week for the next round of the u18 Schoolboys vs Northern Ireland. Both Katie and Robbie have their regular senior Treaty United fixtures to look forward to.
Huge congratulations to all the coaches and players in what has been an incredible week and best of luck in their upcoming fixtures.
