U13 SDFL Premier

Our Teams » U13 SDFL Premier


Manager: Myles Freeley
Coach: Paul Walsh

Home Pitch; Bearna Park

Home Colours: Green & Black stripes , Black Shorts , Black Socks
Away Colours: Green & White Hoops , Black Shorts , Black Socks

Premier Division Under 13 South Dublin Football League

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Match Reports 2011/12

Result : Granada 5 Lakelands 1
Date 26/02/2012
Venue Holly Park

Going into this tie we knew we had to pull out a big performance to trouble our opponents, the first half caught us on the hop and we were taken by surprise a bit by their pace and intensity in every area of the pitch. We conceded some sloppy goals which we normally would have been able to deal with but on this occasion we were found wanting particularly in defence, 4 goals conceded which we could dealt with all on one of our better days. A frank discussion at half time brought out the gaps that needed to be filled and agreement to approach the 2^nd half as a new game. This did bring renewed hunger and focus to the Lakelands outfit and we looked like a different team from what we saw in the 1^st half. We battled for every ball and were starting to penetrate their goal and give them something to think about. We got our place on the scoresheet when a series of half clearances inside the Granada box from Garetts corner finally fell to Tom who managed to just get enough on it to squeeze it into the net. We were now showing a new level of confidence across the team and we created more chances which we could have converted on a number of occasions but the final delivery was not enough to threaten. Ahmed came on into midfield and was combining well with both Ronan’s as we pushed for a 2^nd but it didn’t come. Granada did find the net once more near the end of the game from a ball played from what looked like a deadball position beyond on the end line but ref allowed it to count. This is the standard we need to rise to if we are to figure in the higher end of the league and on reflection our 2^nd half performance confirmed we have the ability to do so. That’s what we take from this game. Great effort put in by all against a well-organized outfit who will be hard to beat in the challenge for the title.



Result Liffey Valley 1 lakelands 4
Date 15/01/2012
Venue Ballyowen Park

Report A great start to the new year was witnessed at Ballyowen Park when Lakelands U13A’s produced a hugely superior performance to deservedly take all points in what was very much a one sided affair. We got straight into the job on hand and created several chances with excellent passing movements in particular up the right flank with Garrett, Adam and Ronan combining well to create many opportunities for Tom & Kevin upfront. The Liffey keeper was the busiest player on the park by a long way and in fairness pulled off some great saves to keep us at bay. The deadlock was broken after 20 mins. when Kevin received the ball inside the box and produced a clever chip up over the giant of a keeper to give us the start we needed. It could have been a lot more but for our shooting in front of goal lacking the clinical accuracy needed against this keeper. Taking a 1-0 lead into the 2^nd half it was clear we would need a couple more to see off the opposition. We continued to dominate with Ben and Ronan controlling the centre of midfield, Garret getting further up the pitch was creating all sorts of problems for them but Tom was getting frustrated with not seeing his name on the scoresheet at this stage of the game. Ahmed was brought in to take up the left midfield position and from a very testing corner delivered by Garrett the ball fell to Ahmed who with almost his 1^st touch of the game calmly slotted the ball under the keeper to go 2-0 up and ease some of the tensions for the Lakelands lads. Shortly after Adam who was doing damage down the right flank punched the ball at the keeper with some power and at first it looked like he had gathered it but then dropped the ball only for Tom to pounce on the opportunity to stick it under the keeper to give him a well-deserved goal on the day. He wasn’t happy with just the 1 and 5 mins. later a super ball played in from Ronan O’Reilly (1 of many) which split their defence and with Tom’s pace was able to get there first and confidently place the ball to the keepers right to take a 4 goal lead and firmly complete the job. The confidence now was oozing and we could have had more but again their keeper played a big part in keeping the scoreline down. Liffey did get a consolation goal before the end but other than that our defence were untroubled during this game with great covering on the day provided by Ciaran, Garrett, Killian Hugh & Brian. Excellence performance and a joy to watch as was confirmed by the travelling support, clearly we are improving with every game!

Result Result Lakelands 1 – 2 Cabinteely
Date 14th December 2011
Venue Leopardstown Park
Another clash with a top table side faced us this week but with a renewed confidence Lakelands were always going to have a chance in this meeting. We matched them in every department for the best part of the game, excellent covering was seen from our defence with Ciaran Molphy again proving his worth with some game changing tackles. Kevin also used his physical presence on a no. of occasions to see off the threat from their pacey forwards. We had chances to take the lead but again the final delivery let us down. They took the lead with what seemed to be a blatant offside but the referee didn’t flinch. In the 2^nd half we started really going at them and some great runs down the wings being fed by Ronan and Ben in centre midfield into Ronan Waters and Adam on the flanks who delivered a no. of balls into our forwards but the ball just did wasn’t falling kindly for us. They went 2 up after 40 mins. which seemed to relax our opponents but we were not finished yet and showed great character to keep up the pressure. We got our opening goal when the ball was fed through by Killian to Tom upfront who was put in 1:1 with the keeper, he cleverly pulled the ball to the right to leave him with an open goal to calmly slot the ball home. For the remainder of the game we had them on the back foot and did have some great chances to deservedly pull level on the balance of play, with 2 threatening frees from outside the box taken by Garret both collected well by the keeper and Kevin playing a ball into to the oncoming Adam from the right but it was just too close to the keeper who collected easily. 2-1 it finished to the travelling side and having spoken to their manager after the game he was hugely relieved that they got away with it, he also acknowledged how well we have progressed since we last met them only 2 months prior. Another illustration of our ability to compete with the top teams in the Premier league , on this performance we will remain a threat to any team we come up against.

Result Templeogue 0 - 4 Lakelands FC
Date 27th November 2011
Venue Tymon Park

The Lakelands lads were eager to get back on winning ways after the previous week’s result and on this occasion they did not disappointment. Opting to play with the strong wind and the hill in the 1st half we were in control from the start creating many chances but final delivery needed to improve. The breakthrough was made after 20 mins. when clever work by the 2 Ronan’s put Tom in to shoot from just inside the box who drove it home to the keeper’s right to go one up. Not long after Tom had another shooting chance which was parried and fell to Ciaran Byrne who was able to get over the ball to score into the top corner. That sent us in at half time 2 up with Jose not having a lot to do but we knew with the wind and the hill we would be forced into a more defensive position in the 2nd half. Hugh replaced Killian in the centre of defence and from the off they came at us with renewed drive. Our defence really showed great character and support for each other with Ciaran Molphy putting in some amazing tackles and at the same time finding a free man to pass to earning him “Man of the Match”. Also Kevin , Garrett and Hugh were comfortable in everything that came their way which was driving more frustration for the opposition. After early pressure was soaked up we really started to go at them again, and in particular up the flanks with Ronan Watters & Adam proving a handful. Ronan O’Reilly & Ben were also doing great in the centre of midfield spreading the ball out wide . Great combinations from Adam and Tom up the right gave them a lot to think about and with 10 mins. left we got a 3rd when Tom again slotted one in after mountains of pressure having been put on their defensive line. With 3 mins. left again a ball played in from the right wing found Ben free and he cleverly eased the ball past the defender and into the net to give Lakelands a deserved 0-4 win . The closing down we did all round the park was of a very high quality especially in the 2nd half and every player gave it more than was asked which left Jose with a very quiet day at the office, a testament to our great defending. A super performance by all as confirmed by the enthusiastic Lakelands support on the line.

Result Lakelands FC 1 - 3 Rangers
Date 20th November 2011
Venue Bearna Park

This match was always going to be a big test for the lads with the opposition holding top spot. With our confidence growing in last couple of weeks however we didn’t fear the challenge. The performance on the day confirmed that with much of the possession falling in Lakelands hands. They took the lead however after 15 mins. which one could argue was against the balance of play. We quickly got back on terms with a great move down the right , Garrett playing a lovely ball on to the on running Adam whose 1st effort was cleared out to the right of the goal by the keeper and followed that with a threatening shot towards goal from an acute angle which went in off their defender to draw lakelands level. At this point the gap in league positions of these 2 teams was hard to understand considering Lakelands contributions right across the pitch. 2nd half was more of the same, we had long spells of possession and best chance falling for Tom with only the keeper to beat who pulled off a good save. Garett delivered some very threatening balls into the box from 2 frees from the half way but somehow their defence found a way to clear. Also some great corners delivered by Ronan , we were just short of the bit of luck . They too had their chances but some excellent saves pulled off by Jose earned him the man of the match. With about 10 mins. to go their tall midfielder found space down the right and played a good ball into the box which was headed up over Jose to give them the lead. Shortly after the god a lucky break with a cruel deflection to give Jose no chance. We showed great character in continuing to chase the game but unfortunately time ran out on us and the reaction from all watching this game were in agreement that there was really nothing between the sides other than a bit of luck in front of goal. In fact on the balance of play Lakelands were perhaps the stronger of the two teams. The opposition's manager confirmed after the game "you really had us worried", and the ref concluded we were very unlucky not to get something from this game. All players should feel very proud of their performance against the team at the top of the premier league, Well done !

Result Clonskeagh Crescent 2 - 8 Lakelands
Date 13th November 2011
Venue Meadowbrook

After the terrific win the previous week against Park Celtic the hunger in the Lakelands players was clear to see before the off. The pitch was difficult , the wind was up but that was not going to affect our performance with the attitude that was shown. Lakelands took the lead after 10 mins. with a clever move up the right channel where Garrett and Adam combined well to set up Tom for a cool finish. Clonskeagh responded straight away with some pacey attacking which caught our lads on the hop. They shortly later took the lead much to the surprise of the Lakelands supporters which was very much against the run of play, lakelands having by far the larger % of possession. It didn’t take long for us to get back on terms with man of the match Ronan Waters causing all sorts of problems down the left. The goalkeeper parried from a Ronan O’Reilly shot for Tom to sneak in and find the net. We got the lead back shortly later to go in with a deserved lead at half time. Only for their agile keeper our lead would surely have been more. And that was the feeling during the half time talk. From the whistle at the start of the 2nd half we saw some wonderful football being played by all of the lads. The passing from Ronan O’Reilly & Ciaran, spreading the ball to both Adam & Ronan Waters was creating great space up the channels. The floodgates were about to open and we saw 6 more goals during the half being driven by excellent team play and support all around the pitch, Kevin , Ciaran & Garrett in defence having total control. The 1st was definitely one to savour when we were awarded a free from well outside the box. Garrett stepped up and from a distance out most were expecting him to cross it into the box. He however had different ideas and launched one straight at goal from an acute angle which sailed into the top right corner. From then the keeper was unlucky on a few occasions having saved the initial shots on goal but there was always a Lakelands player following in to capture the opportunity. Tom finished the day with a well-deserved hatrick , his role upfront has really given us the penetration that we had been lacking in earlier matches. Well done to all !

Result Park Celtic 0 - 1 Lakelands
Date 6th November 2011
Venue Cabinteely Park

This fixture brought together two teams that have been meeting regularly for a few years now. Previously the games have produced great competitive fixtures played in great spirit and this match was no exception. With a no. of players missing from the lakelands camp we travelled with a bare 11 players but were forced to start the 1st 15 minutes of the game with only 10 men due to our keeper Jose having gone to the other park in Cabinteely !!! Ronan Waters took to the nets with great confidence and showed that he was very comfortable in this position with some early clearances. The intensity of the Lakelands tackling and covering indicated a determination that has been evident over the last no. of weeks and we were frustrating Park right throughout the pitch. We had chances created from midfield mainly coming down the right side with balls put through to Tom upfront and we could have had a couple of goals in the 1st 20 minutes with some great penetration especially from Tom, Adam , Ben & Ronan. Two mins before half time Adam took a quick throw to Tom who played a beautiful ball right across the box where Hugh was waiting to strike a half volley. The ball at first looked like it was going well wide but it gradually bent right into the top right corner to send us in 1-0 at HT. We knew we were at this point on top in the game in most departments and were keen not to let this opportunity slip. The performance in the 2nd half was arguably our best all season. Our defence were solid, Kevin, Garret & Ciaran dealing with an danger with great confidence. Ronan in goal was immense. Adam & Garrett in the 2nd half started really threatening up the right wing and was finding Tom & Ben in great positions. Tom found himself with just the keeper to beat on 2 occasions , one where he appeared to slip before striking it and didn’t quite get enough on it to trouble to keeper & the 2nd where he struck it well but the Park keeper pulled off a brilliant save to deny him a 2-0 lead. Park did push players forward but continued to press them and frustrate them, they did get through on a few occasions but their final shots on goal let them down. They also had a no. of corners which our defence dealt with brilliantly. We had more chances to go further ahead when Ronan hit the post and the ball falling out to Ben from close range it just didn’t sit up right for him. We held possession well at the end to see out the game to record our 1st win against our local rivals Park Celtic in what was a great game to watch and played in a great spirit. The effort put in by every player on the pitch was second to none and considering we had no subs there were one or two slight knocks which players continued on with without any complaint. With this sort of performance and commitment by Lakelands there will be no teams we will fear in the Premier League. Well done to all !


Result Lakelands 1 - 4 Rangers
Date 2nd October 2011
Venue Leopardstown Park

This was a day which saw Lakelands perform to a very high level despite missing four 1st team regulars against a team which based on their early league results will for sure be title contenders. The 1st half we matched them in all departments , our defending was really causing them problems with stalwart performances from Garrett, Killian, Ciaran & Cian. They did break the deadlock in the 20 minute when their attacker fired from the edge of the box to Jose’s right to go 1 up. 10 minutes later after much penetration on their defence we were awarded a deserved penalty which Ronan calmly slotted home to go in level 1-1 at half-time. The tackles were starting to go in harder and we had a no. of players down injured during the half which didn’t help our cause , not to mention Killian’s wasp stick just before the match kicked off ! Some good runs by our wingers of Tom & Adam did put our forwards in on goal on a few occasions but their defence remained calm and cleared on each occasion. Tom then found himself through on goal with keeper to beat only to see his strike just marginally rise over the bar. Soon later they scored 2 goals in quick succession which were both soft to say the least and yet we continued with great passion in looking to get back on the scoresheet. Luis Cervera also on a no. of occasions was causing them problems with his attractive trickery, but alas it wasn’t to be on the day. Rangers scored another before the end which finished out the game with a scoreline of 1-4 , most would agree that the scoreline flattered the opposition somewhat and if we can put in performances like this each week there will be plenty of league points to be won by us. Well done all !

Result Lakelands 0 - 2 Clane Utd
Date 25th September 2011
Venue Leopardstown Park

Our 1st cup match of the season produced quite an even encounter with not much separating the sides for most of the game. Lakelands had plenty of possession but lacked the quality in their final pass in and around the box in order to create any clear cut goal chances. Ronan Watters dealt with his centre-half position with great confidence and cleaned up and covered his area excellently. At half time both teams went in scoreless and we felt that this was a match that we could take with just a bit more creativity upfront. It was the away team however who opened the scoring when a corner was played into the box which was met with a very good half volley strike to find the back of the net giving Jose no chance. We continued to push more forward which left some gaps in our defence as they were clearly working to catch us on the break. Jose pulled off a no. of great saves to deprive them until the 55 min. when their midfielder had the pace to pass two Lakelands players and head straight for goal, rounded Jose and calmly placed the ball in the net to go 2-0 up. Frustration was starting to show and some fatigue it must said of the lakelands lads. On another day and a little bit more luck we may have taken something from this game, 2-0 it finished to the travelling side from Kildare.


Result Palmerstown 2 - 0 Lakelands
Date 18th September 2011
Venue Glenaulin Park

On a blustery day in palmerstown we were forced to play against the wind in the 1st half and it was backs to the wall for much of the period . Our midfield and defence however (in particular Garrett & Ronan) put in a tremendous shift to continuously frustrate the opposition with strong hard tackling , we had some chances created with through balls to Luis & Hugh upfront but their keeper was able to cope with the threat on each occasion. They took the lead with 10 mins. left in the 1st half when their midfielder unleashed a power drive with Jose just getting a hand to it but unfortunately saw it find the corner of the net. We had the wind in the 2nd half but by then it had died down somewhat so we did not benefit as much as what we had hoped , they went 2 up after 40 mins. which presented us with an up-hill battle. Moving Kevin to midfield and Adam up front did provide some opportunities to get back into the game, Kevin drove a belter from outside the box after beating 2 but it just shaved the post. We were now putting the pressure on and Plamerstown were on the back foot for the last 10 10-15 mins. but the ball just didn’t fall kindly for us in front of goal. 2 nil it finished to Palmerstown but no one could question the effort put in by Lakelands which should stand us well in weeks to come.


Result Lakelands 0 - 4 Park Celtic
Date 4th September 2011
Venue Bearna Park

The Lakelands lineup for the start of the new season had quite a different look to it from previous season with no fewer than 5 debutants on show. From the off Park looked sharp and our midfield struggled to compete leaving gaps for them to threaten. We held out until 10 mins. before half time when they played in a cross from the wing which was neatly tucked away with a diving header . We went in at half time knowing that we were still very much in the game but it was going to take a big improvement to get back on terms. As the 2nd half proceeded some of our lads were showing signs of fatigue but continued to put in important tackles particularly Killian & Ciaran M., but our midfield couldn’t seem to break through, Park were closing down with great effect. On a few occasions we had balls put through to Ben, Brian & Luis up front but their keeper acting as an additional defender was on each occasion able to tidy up any chances we had. They went 2 up 15 mins. into the 2nd half and followed up with a 3rd shortly after which only left Lakelands further frustrated with not enough chances being created against a well organized Park Celtic outfit. They added a 4th before the end to finish the game 0-4 which gives us plenty to work on over the coming weeks .