Introduction:
The SuperValu West Cork Schoolboys League has been competing in the Kennedy Cup for the past decade and represents one of the smallest leagues in the tournament. Some of the most talented players from this season’s Schoolboys leagues have been selected by a panel of coaches to represent West Cork in the upcoming 2009 tournament.

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Ger McCarthy

West Cork Schoolboys League 2009 Kennedy Cup Squad:
(Click on a thumbnail image below to continue)

2009 UMBRO Kennedy Cup - West Cork Schoolboys League squad:

The West Cork Schoolboys League rebounded from a disappointing start to the 2009 UMBRO Kennedy Cup to finish 29th overall following back to back victories over the Carlow and Kilkenny Schoolboys Leagues.

The WCSL’s star striker Conor O’Driscoll was rewarded for a string of magnificent individual performances by being voted one of the top 15 players at the tournament. O’Driscoll - along with the other top 14 Kennedy Cup players -will now represent the Republic of Ireland at the upcoming Hibernia International tournament this August. It is a tremendous achievement for one of the finest attacking talents ever to emerge from the West Cork Schoolboys League. O’Driscoll’s rapid development of the international ranks is fully deserved and testament to the ongoing success of the FAI Emerging Talent Programme based in West Cork. O’Driscoll, Steven McCarthy of Skibbereen and Gavin O’Leary of Riverside Athletic have also been selected for international trials on August the 13th following eye-catching performances for West Cork during the 2009 Kennedy Cup tournament. Great credit must go to the WCSL back room team and ETP Staff for helping nurture the ample raw talent currently playing in the West Cork Schoolboys League. It is hoped that the careful development and progression of players such as Conor O’Driscoll is just the beginning of unearthing additional talent from young soccer players in the region.

The 2009 Kennedy Cup started off disappointingly for the WCSL with a 4-0 defeat on the opening day to an impressive Midland Schoolboys League outfit. A combination of nerves and defensive fragility meant West Cork never got out of first gear and the Midlands took full advantage to secure a comfortable victory. The only bright spot on an otherwise unsatisfactory day was the introduction of 12 year-old Dylan O’Driscoll from Dunmanway Town as a second half substitute. The young striker made a tremendous Kennedy Cup debut belying his young age.

The second day of competition began with a narrow 2-1 defeat to the Cavan Schoolboys League in an early morning kick off. West Cork produced a much improved team performance helped in no small part by the return from injury of Toby Snashell. The Bunratty defender added some badly needed stability to the WCSL’s back four. West Cork began confidently and broke the deadlock in the 20th minute. Conor O'Driscoll used his searing pace to evade a succession of challenges before breaking clear and calmly slotting the ball past the outrushing Cavan keeper. That goal should have been the catalyst for West Cork to push on in search of a second and match-winning goal. Instead the WCSL retreated into defence inviting their opponents forward and Cavan capitalised to score either side of half time to race into a 2-1 lead. Cavan held on for a deserved win despite the best efforts of O’Driscoll, Steven McCarthy and Cathal Newman. The shock result of the tournament occurred in West Cork’s Group 3 on the same morning with the Midlands holding the DDSL to a surprise 1-1 draw.

West Cork saved their best performance of the Kennedy Cup - albeit a third straight defeat - in an agonising 2-0 loss to reigning champions the DDSL. The WCSL put in a terrific performance to hold the multi-time winners of the tournament to 0-0 at the interval. The DDSL finally netted midway through the second half and scored a second deep into injury time to put an unfair gloss on the final score-line. Gavin O’Leary and Toby Snashell deserve mention for their efforts but the whole team did the WCSL proud with a gutsy, determined display against their more illustrious opponents.

West Cork finished 4th in Group 3 and as a result progressed to the knockout phase of the Kennedy Trophy competition. On June 17th the WCSL were defeated 3-1 by the Drogheda Schoolboys League following an entertaining encounter. Conor O’Driscoll continued his good run of form and fired his side ahead with a sweet left foot effort to put West Cork 1-0 ahead. Unfortunately the defensive fragility that had plagued the squad since the beginning of the tournament resurfaced once again and Drogheda equalised just before the break. The WCSL enjoyed the majority of possession at the start of the second period but conceded two goals in as many minutes and Drogheda ran out deserving winners. Steven McCarthy was the pick of West Cork’s best players while Gavin O’Leary distinguished himself with another assured display between the sticks for the WCSL.

Defeat to Drogheda in the last eight of the Kennedy Trophy competition meant West Cork next faced the Carlow Schoolboys League in a morning kick off on Thursday the 18th of June. The WCSL were finally rewarded for their attacking endeavours with their first win of the tournament. Conor O’Driscoll continued his remarkable tournament with the opening goal and Chris Moynihan doubled West Cork’s lead shortly afterwards. Carlow pulled one back before an excellent Steven McCarthy brace secured a richly deserved win for the WCSL. Even a late Carlow consolation couldn’t prevent West Cork from winning their first match of the competition. The WCSL rounded off their week in Limerick with a 7-6 win on penalties over the Kilkenny SL following a 1-1 draw to secure 29th place overall in the 2009 Kennedy Cup. Steven McCarthy fired West Cork ahead only for Kilkenny to level after the break. Sean Deasy proved the hero for the WCSL with the decisive spot kick to round off West Cork’s week in the UMBRO Kennedy Cup on a positive note.

WEST CORK SCHOOLBOYS LEAGUE - UMBRO KENNEDY CUP RESULTS
15th June: Group3 - WCSL 0 Midlands Schoolboys League 4. 16th June: Group3 - WCSL 1 Cavan Schoolboys League 2, WCSL 0 Dublin District Schoolboys League 2
17th June: Kennedy Trophy ¼ Final – WCSL 1 Drogheda Schoolboys League 3
18th June: Kennedy Trophy Play-Offs – WCSL 4 Carlow 2, Kilkenny 1 WCSL 1 - WCSL win 7-6 on penalties.

Conor O’Driscoll, Steven McCarthy and Gavin O’Leary have been selected to represent the West Cork Schoolboys League at upcoming FAI Regional and International trials following their stellar performances at the 2009 UMBRO Kennedy Cup. O’Driscoll rounded off a terrific week for the WCSL by being voted one of the top 15 players at the tournament.

The three West Cork based players elevation to the international trials reflects how well they have developed under the tutelage of the WCSL and FAI’s Emerging Talent Programme over the last number of years. West Cork ETP Co-ordinator Martin Henwood explains: “The ETP provides regular structured coaching coupled with the experience of interleague competition which has helped the lads realise their true potential”. WCSL Kennedy Cup Coach Conor Uhl concurs: “All we as a league and Emerging Talent Programme can do, is offer the lads the best advice and continue to work and coach them to our best ability in order for them to reach their full potential. That’s what we have always done and what we will continue to do”. Nurturing the emergence of such raw talent from the West Cork area is down to the sponsorship of West Cork Oil and the hard work of the ETP. “The talent has always been present in the region as one can see from the numerous West Cork players representing clubs such as Cork City” says Conor Uhl. “I think what the Emerging Talent Programme best allows for is this: players can now be coached at a high level from a much earlier age i.e. U11 and therefore achieve a totally different level of development when they reach the Kennedy Cup age group (U13)”.

AGRESSION
The WCSL rebounded from a disappointing start to this year’s Kennedy Cup to finish 29th overall following back to back victories over the Carlow and Kilkenny Schoolboys Leagues. There were many impressive individual performances throughout the competition but strikers Steven McCarthy and Conor O’Driscoll proved to be a lethal combination. Martin Henwood outlines why each of the forward’s is such a special talent: “Pace, power, aggression, skill, good finishing, a tremendous attitude coupled with a fantastic work rate makes Conor O’Driscoll the most exciting forward I have worked with in my time in schoolboys soccer. Steven McCarthy is also a really exciting young player and was doubtful through injury right up to the tournament. He got fitter and stronger as the week went on but worked extra hard, scored his goals and his selection for the international trials is just reward”. While O’Driscoll and McCarthy were busy tearing up defences at one end of the pitch Riverside Athletics’ goalkeeper Gavin O’Leary produced a string of terrific performances at the other end. Conor Uhl highlights the reason behind O’Leary’s ascension to the international ranks: “The goalkeeper of the tournament in my eyes. Gavin is a fantastic shot stopper. He’d throw himself in front of a train if it meant preventing a goal. He is a confident young man who had an excellent tournament”.

HIBERNIA TROPHY
Arising out of this year’s UMBRO Kennedy Cup, the FAI selected their top 15 players to represent the Football Association of Ireland at the upcoming Hibernia Cup in Dublin. West Cork’s Conor O’Driscoll has been picked on the FAI squad and will report for a series of training sessions throughout July before travelling to take part in the tournament being held in St Josephs Boys FC (2008/09 FAI Club of the year) grounds in Sallynoggin, Dublin. 2009 marks the fifth year of the International tournament being held in the club famously known as ‘Joey’s’. Last year’s competition attracted clubs from as far away as Japan, Holland and England. This summer’s competition currently includes the following list of entrants: FC Utrecht (Netherlands), Lyngby BK (Denmark), FAI squad (Rep of Ire), DDSL squad (Rep of Ire), St. Joseph's Boys (Rep of Ire), Nottingham Forest (England) and Huddersfield Town (England). The FAI squad s involvement, based on the top 15 players from this season’s Kennedy Cup is being hailed as a real coup by the competitions organisers. The official St. Joseph’s club web site reports: “It is always a great honour to have your own country’s Football Association send one of its teams as Hibernia Trophy participants. They are back again this year with John Morling the former Peterborough United coach replacing Vincent Butler as manager of the FAI development squad”. Martin Henwood explains the reason why Conor O’Driscoll deserves his chance in the FAI International squad: “Hard work, pace, ability and a fantastic attitude have rewarded Conor with a place in the 15 man squad to represent the Kennedy Cup players at the Hibernia Cup. On many occasions I have seen players with similar ability but lacking the necessary work rate. With Conor both these attributes are present and that just makes him something special”.

It is hoped the progression of Conor O’Driscoll, Steven McCarthy and Gavin O’Leary to the FAI international ranks marks the beginning of a golden period for the WCSL thanks to the on-going success of the West Cork Oil sponsored ETP in the region.

The West Cork Schoolboys League nominated three of their best referees to attend this year’s UMBRO Kennedy Cup and each of the match officials acquitted themselves admirably in one of the most prestigious Schoolboys tournaments in Europe.

The WCSL was asked to nominate three match officials for the UMBRO Kennedy Cup in Limerick this past month and were delighted that all 3 referees were accepted by the FAI. The WCSL referee’s who officiated at the tournament were father and son combination Anthony and Steve McDermott and 15 year veteran Martin Coakley. Anthony McDermott remains one of the most experienced refs in West Cork and will begin his 20th season of refereeing in the WCSL this September. Mr. McDermott’s third Kennedy Cup coincided with a busy period for the Clonakilty native who was recently elected the 2009-2010 Mayor of his hometown as an Independent Councillor. Anthony’s son Steve is heading into his 4h season as a match official and this summers’ Kennedy Cup marked his second visit to the Limerick tournament. The third West Cork (and Clonakilty) referee to officiate this past month was Martin Coakley who had previously refereed at three other Kennedy Cups with his first assignment occurring back in 2005. This year there were a total of 36 referees representing 12 different leagues from all over the country.

PRESSURE
The fact West Cork’s allocation of referees has now risen to three match officials is a clear indicator of (a) the improved standard of refereeing in the region and (b) the WCSL’s standing amongst the FAI and other Schoolboy Leagues around the country. So what is the biggest difference between refereeing at the Kennedy Cup compared to the usual West Cork assignments? Steven McDermott responds: “The biggest difference is every Kennedy Cup match has 4 officials plus a match delegate, so everything looks and feels more professional. Being a referee is made so much easier with the extra pairs of eyes to aid you. It has to be said that the players discipline has been a credit this year with most of the trouble coming from the parents and coaches on the sideline. The players led by example and a few of the parents and coaches could learn from them”. There must be added pressure on referees officiating at such a world renowned tournament and with so many FAI / Schoolboys League representatives from around the country looking on? “I don’t think there is added pressure on officials as the players are usually intent on showing off their capabilities to the many scouts searching for the next star. Players are less likely to cause refs any trouble at tournaments such as the Kennedy Cup but it is up to the match officials to respect that and not try to steal the players spotlight”.

TYPICAL DAY
Steve McDermott outlines what a typical day at the Kennedy Cup involves for a referee or match assistant: “A typical day begins with our first meeting at 9.30am with the FAI Fixtures Secretary. The Secretary assigns each referee their morning games which kick off at 10.30am and noon. We also get a free lunch voucher per day. Once the games have been completed, lunch eaten, kits aired and bodies rested its time for another meeting at 4pm. Here the FAI Fixtures Secretary works out the rota for the evening games which begin at 5pm and 7pm” McDermott explains how specific match days of the tournament are busier than others:” A referee or assistant is busiest on match days Tuesday and Thursday as there is a full fixture list and refs can be involved in all 4 games each day although it’s usually a maximum of 3 to prevent over-tiredness. The 2009 competition proved to be a very busy occasion for each of the 3 West Cork match officials. “Anthony was involved in 7 games over the week, 2 as a ref and 5 as an assistant. Martin had a very busy week and was involved in a total of 13 games over the week, 2 as a ref, 5 as the 4th official and 6 as an assistant referee”.

HIGHPOINT
Steve was involved in a mammoth 12 games over the week. He was a ref on 3 occasions, a 4th official at 3 fixtures and an assistant referee no less than 6 times. So what was the highpoint of being involved in this year’s tournament? “One of the main highs was being an assistant referee for the Kennedy Cup semi-final and also being selected as an assistant referee for the Shield decider. One of the few points Steve makes in an effort to better improve the experience for referee would be a lack of protection for assistant referees during games with spectators coming on to the pitch as there was no rope or boundary to keep them back.

If you are interested in getting involved in refereeing at underage or adult please navigate to the West Cork League’s web site where contact details for Committee members are displayed. Visit www.westcorkleague.com for further details.

* The West Cork League referees wish the acknowledge the fantastic sponsorship and support from West Cork PVC over the past seasons.