U12 Match Reports, 2nd April 2017
The 2017 East Down U12 Football League kicked off on Sunday with Carryduff fielding two teams, one in Division One and a second team competing in Division Two. The squad has over 40 players this season and training sessions have been well attended since they began in early February. However, the inclement weather has led to the postponement of a series of planned challenge games and so, for most of the squad, Sunday’s games marked their first competitive action of the year. Not that you’d have noticed as the Division One side hit the ground running against RGU Downpatrick. Oran Donaldson rattled the net after only 30 seconds and three goals from Lorcan O’Connor and another from Niall O’Neill saw Carryduff build a large first half lead.
The second period saw Downpatrick fight back as the visitors began to take a stranglehold around the middle of the field. With the wind now at their backs, the physical strength of the RGU half backs and midfield began to come to the fore as they ran at Carryduff from deep. The Duff defence stood firm and when breached Matthew Tunney pulled off a couple of fine saves. Nonetheless, the rampaging RGU midfielders were able to fire home some fine goals from distance as they whittled away at the Carryduff lead. This was now a real test for Carryduff and Ryan Sherry eased some of the pressure with a couple of lovely points from distance. Carryduff soaked up some late pressure and at the whistle had secured a four point victory, 5-10 to 5-6.
Meanwhile, at Cherryvale, the B team played out a competitive and entertaining game with neighbours Bredagh B. It was nip and tuck the whole way with Carryduff firing home three well worked goals, while the defence worked hard to restrict their hosts to 1-6. The game ended with the sides level and a draw a fair result. Bredagh 1-6 Carryduff 3-0.
Both teams utilised their full squads and these tight, competitive games can only help the players to develop. There’s plenty still to work on throughout the year, but with the commitment, endeavour and ability throughout the squad, it promises to be a good year for the U12s.
Carryduff A v RGU: Matthew Tunney, Lorcan O’Hagan, Rory Hughes, Oran McMeel, Joseph Doherty, Oisin McGurk, Ryan Sherry, Eunan O’Hare, Jacob Dixon, Declan McArdle, Niall O’Neill, Oran Donaldson, Lorcan O’Connor, Jude Dixon, Luke Morris
Carryduff B v Bredagh: Cillian Whitford, Jack McGrath, Sean McCrory, Ronan Kelly, JP Hegarty, Ronan Donaldson, Dara Cunningham, Finn Cunningham, Eoin McKernan, James O’Donnell, Michael Tinnelly, Owen O’Neill, Cillian Teague, Matthew Robinson, Daniel Robinson, Odhrán Doherty, Tara O’Neill, Oisin O’Hare
