Mixed fortunes for the Carryduff U12s

21^st May 2017

There were mixed fortunes for the Carryduff U12s in round six of the East Down league.

In Division One, Carryduff built on the promise of their previous game against Bredagh with an outstanding performance away to RGU Downpatrick.

Carryduff played with the wind at their backs in the first half and produced a dominant display as they set about building a large lead. After a flurry of early points, the Duff boys gradually began to turn the screw on their opponents. They were denied goals by a series of fine saves from the impressive home goalkeeper, but they continued to move the ball at pace and the chances kept coming. Once Ryan Sherry hit the net midway through the half, the floodgates opened and Liam Blaney, Lorcan O’Connor (2) and Oran Donaldson all fired home as the Duff turned round with a very healthy lead.

The coaches were well aware that when the sides last met on the opening day of the season, the Duff had likewise built a large first half lead, only for a storming RGU comeback to get them to within 4 points by the long whistle. So there was no complacency as the team faced a strong breeze after the break.

This time, if anything, the Duff boys upped their work rate to ensure that there would be no repeat. Ryan Sherry picked up plenty of ball with his reading of the game around the middle and he was ably assisted by the hardworking Declan McArdle, Dara Cunningham and Jacob Dixon, the latter moved out the field having played in goal for the first half. Cian Duffy and Oisin McGurk also won plenty of dirty ball and played some sumptuous through balls to the lively Duff forwards. Of these, Lorcan O’Connor was a constant menace to the home defence, while the movement and work rate of Liam Blaney was a joy to watch. Liam’s cousin, Eoin, also worked hard and deserved his goal which was added to by another audacious effort from O’Connor.

To their credit, RGU were much more competitive in the second period, but when they did get through the Carryduff midfield, their forwards got little change out of full backs Oran McMeel and Lorcan O’Hagan who were in dominant and uncompromising form.
Final Score: RGU Downpatrick 1-4 Carryduff 7-11.

Meanwhile in Division Two, Carryduff hosted a strong Loughinisland side at Páirc Aodha Dhuibh. This proved to be a disappointing morning for the young Duff team as they turned in an uncharacteristically poor showing. The home side never got going and found their visitors in ruthless mood as they rattled up a big score against a tiring Carryduff side in the second period.

Carryduff A v RGU Downpatrick: Oran McMeel, Lorcan O’Hagan, Ryan Sherry, Declan McArdle, Dara Cunningham, Eoin Blaney, Oisin McGurk, Oran Donaldson, Lorcan O’Connor, Cian Duffy, Jacob Dixon, Liam Blaney

Carryduff B v Loughinisland: Cillian Teague, Ronan Donaldson, Finn Cunningham, Eoin McKernan, Cameron McClure, Odhran Doherty, Cillian Whitford, Ronan Kelly, Matthew Loftus, David Morrissey, Sean McCrory, Eoin Vaugh, Luke Morris, Owen O’Neill, Niall O’Neill, Oisin O’Hare, Eunan O’Hare, James O’Donnell