14th May 2017
Carryduff U12s played their fifth round of league games in the East Down league on Sunday.
In Division One, Carryduff were looking to bounce back from their previous disappointing display in Bryansford. With that game fresh in the memory, they couldn’t have asked for a tougher assignment than a game with table toppers Bredagh. The visitors arrived at Páirc Aodha Dhuibh with a 100% win record, after a series of large margin victories.
To their credit, this didn’t deter the Duff boys who turned in a much improved performance. The first half display was arguably as well as the team have played all season, as they worked hard as a team, moved the ball well and engineered some lovely scores. Indeed, but for some wayward shooting towards the end of the half, the home side would have built up a bigger cushion than the three points that separated the sides after a superb half of football.
The second half brought the expected response from Bredagh, who now had an increasingly stiff wind at their backs. As the visitors developed a stranglehold at midfield, the Carryduff defence were under severe pressure but worked hard to close down the space in front of goal. This forced Bredagh in to shooting from distance but they were able to slot over a series of excellent points as they turned the game on its head. Carryduff were struggling to get the ball to their dangerous forward line and as they inevitably tired, mistakes began to creep in to their game. Nonetheless, they kept battling as evidenced in the fact that, despite dominating possession in this half, Bredagh only managed to hit one, rather fortuitous, three pointer. Final Score: Carryduff 2-5 Bredagh 2-14.
Meanwhile in Division Two, Carryduff travelled to Castlewellan on a bright morning that was perfect for football. Castlewellan were quick out of the blocks with a couple of points before Ronan Donaldson replied with a goal for Carryduff. With the wind at their backs, the home side gradually built a lead, hitting a couple of goals in the process.
Carryduff had the conditions in their favour after the break and, with Ronan Kelly driving them on from midfield, they began to take the game to their hosts. Unfortunately, however, missed chances would prove costly as they were unable to claw back the first half deficit. Final Score: Castlewellan 2-13 Carryduff 2-5.
So despite the results, there were plenty of positives to take for the squad. They have played some fine football at times, but need to maintain their level of performance over the full 50 minutes. It is a young group of players who will develop over time, but the potential amongst the squad is obvious. Training continues on Wednesday and Friday with games next Sunday; away to RGU Downpatrick and at home to Loughinisland.
Carryduff A v Bredagh: Matthew Tunney, Oran McMeel, Lorcan O’Hagan, Joseph Doherty, Ryan Sherry, Declan McArdle, Dara Cunningham, Eoin Blaney, Oisin McGurk, Oran Donaldson, Lorcan O’Connor, Rory Hughes, Niall O’Neill, Cian Duffy, Jacob Dixon, Eunan O’Hare,
Carryduff B v Castlewellan: Peter Murchan, Cillian Teague, Ronan Donaldson, Finn Cunningham, Eoin McKernan, Cameron McClure, Jude Dixon, Odhran Doherty, Matthew Robinson, Daniel Robinson, Cillian Whitford, Ronan Kelly, Matthew Loftus, David Morrissey, Sean McCrory, Luke Morris
