Carrigtwohill got off to a flying start at home. On 14 minutes, Mati Majchrzak broke down the right and delivered a cross that Chiemekam Emeakaroha finished to open the scoring. On 29 minutes, Charley O’Sullivan carried the ball through the middle and played Ariel Lembelembe in, and Ariel finished to make it 2–0. Right on the half-time whistle, Frank Krysiak won the goalkeeper’s kick-out, and John Buckley struck a great goal from distance, sending the boys in 3–0 up.

It was a real team effort across the pitch. In goal, Colm Ó Murchú was a commanding presence, while the back line of Tommy Lilley, Adam Lane, Oscar Connolly, Rian McGovern and Ryan O’Sullivan worked hard to keep St. Mary’s at bay. The midfield was the engine room of the performance: Ronan Doyle, Charley O’Sullivan, Mati Majchrzak, Frank Krysiak, Ariel Lembelembe and John Buckley all worked tirelessly, winning the ball, linking play and driving the team forward at every opportunity. Up front, Oscar Mazur and Chiemekam Emeakaroha led the line and kept the St. Mary’s defence busy throughout.

Carrigtwohill picked up where they left off and extended their lead on 35 minutes, when Charley O’Sullivan split the St. Mary’s defence with a pass for Chiemekam Emeakaroha, who finished well to make it 4–0.

St. Mary’s refused to go away, though, and over the following fifteen minutes, they hit back with three goals of their own to set up a tense finale. Carrigtwohill kept their composure, and on 55 minutes, Ariel Lembelembe found Chiemekam, who finished to restore the two-goal cushion at 5–3 and complete a well-deserved hat-trick. The boys saw out the remaining minutes to secure a place in the next round.

Special mentions go to Charley O’Sullivan, whose creativity and assists unlocked the St. Mary’s defence, and Rian McGovern, whose tireless work rate never dropped over the full 60 minutes.

Player of the Match: Chiemekam Emeakaroha, for a superb hat-trick.