28 June 2017 U12 Boys Look to Keep Momentum Going
On Saturday past, a 15 man squad attended the Kieran Sands Memorial Tournament in Ballyholland where they played some of their best tournament football of the season. The boys had a pulsating semi-final in the Shield against Bellaghy and were within touching distance of a place in the final before the Derry men manufactured a free just as the hooter sounded. They scored to bring the game to extra time which was similarly nip and tuck. However, a Carryduff point controversially ruled out seemed to knock the stuffing out of the boys and Bellaghy got the last couple of points to emerge victorious. It was hard to take for the Carryduff side but if they can channel the disappointment felt as part of their learning process then it will stand them in good stead in the future.
In terms of league action, Carryduff travelled to Cherryvale to play Bredagh, their hosts keen to protect an impressive 100% win record in the division. Bredagh came flying out of the blocks and netted twice within the opening minutes before a third goal in the 7th minute left Carryduff with a mountain to climb. To their credit, the Duff dug in and matched their opponents point for point before another Bredagh goal on the stroke of half time put paid to any thoughts of another dramatic Carryduff comeback. The teams turned round with Bredagh leading 4-4 to 0-3. Nonetheless, Carryduff showed good improvement in the second half and whilst they couldn’t scale back the first half deficit, they did at least match their hosts on the scoreboard. Carryduff fired over a series of impressive points from Lorcan O’Connor, Eoin Blaney, Oran Donaldson and Lorcan O’Hagan to add to the first half efforts of O’Connor, Declan McArdle and Cian Duffy. Final score Bredagh 5-7 Carryduff 0-9. In their game the B’s fell to defeat against a strong Bryansford side. With many of the boys having played in the U10.5 blitz the previous day, the team looked leggy and lethargic and Bryansford took full advantage to take the points on a scoreline of Carryduff 2-4 Bryansford 5-11. The boys play their final games before the summer break against RGU (Friday) and Drumaness (Sunday). Training will continue over the holiday period with details of times available on teamer and through twitter. There is also a meet and greet with the Down senior football team at RGU on Monday 3rd July at 7pm. It’s hoped that members of the squad, some of whom were at the epic semi-final victory over Monaghan on Saturday evening, will make the trip and take advantage of this opportunity to meet the players. Carryduff Squad for Ballyholland Tournament: Matthew Tunney, Joseph Doherty, Lorcan O’Hagan, James O’Donnell, Rory Hughes, Eunan O’Hare, Eoin Blaney, Jack McGrath, Oisin McGurk, Declan McArdle, Oran Donaldson, Ronan Donaldson, Ryan Sherry, Lorcan O’Connor, Sean McCrory. Carryduff A V Bredagh: Matthew Tunney, Jacob Dixon, Joseph Doherty, Ryan Sherry, Cian Duffy, Declan McArdle, Oisin McGurk, Dara Cunningham, Oran Donaldson, Lorcan O’Connor, Eoin Blaney, Lorcan O’Hagan, Rory Hughes, Liam Blaney. Carryduff B v Bryansford: James O’Donnell, Jude Dixon, Jack McGrath, Cillian Teague, Cameron McClure, David Morrissey, Niall O’Neill, Sean McCrory, Ronan Kelly, Matthew Loftus, Ronan Donaldson, Eunan O’Hare, Max O’Rawe, Eoin Vaugh, Eoin McKernan, Daniel Robinson, Finn Cunningham, Odhran Doherty.
