It was Round Four of the U13 East Down league on Sunday with both the Division One and Two teams playing at home.
In Division One, Carryduff hosted Liatroim and the boys produced a dominant performance. The Duff were strong in midfield and this provided a great supply of ball into the forward line. When Liatroim threatened to break through, their forwards were well shackled by the Carryduff defence and the Duff ran out convincing victors on a scoreline of 4-15 to 0-0.
It was an altogether different story in Division Two, where Carryduff had another great game with visiting Loughinisland. This was expected to be a tough morning for the young Duff side, but if they were meant to lie down, then no one told the boys as they produced another incredibly competitive performance.
Carryduff came flying out of the blocks and moving the ball really well, they fired in two early goals. The first was a rasping effort from Ronan Donaldson, followed by a second from Cameron McClure who finished off a beautiful passing movement by slotting home.
Loughinisland took a while to get going, but they gradually started to get a foothold in the game and began to knock over a few points. Carryduff defended well, but any indiscretion was being punished as the visitors were deadly from free kicks within range of the goal. Loughinisland hit seven points without reply to take the lead, but the Duff would finish the half strongly. Eoin Blaney stroked over a free to level matters, before Dara Cunningham fired home another lovely goal to secure a 3 point interval lead for Carryduff.
The second half was another tight affair, with scores at a premium, but two points for Loughinisland brought them close before they hit their first goal of the game to take the lead. Carryduff responded well to this blow and had another major of their own from Cameron McClure to edge back in front as this most compelling of games ebbed and flowed. Another couple of frees put the Island back in front and when they struck for another goal, in the closing stages, that looked to be game over for the Duff. But the boys came back again and when David Morrissey launched a long ball towards the visiting square, it was Lorcan O’Hagan who rose highest to fist the ball to the net and reduce the deficit to the minimum again.
With time almost up, Carryduff couldn’t fashion a chance for an equaliser and the game finished on a scoreline of Carryduff 5-1 Loughinisland 2-11.
Although palpably disappointed as they left the field, this was another superb performance from such a young Duff team. The boys have exceeded all expectations at this level, winning two and narrowly losing out in their other two games. In all games they have conceded a noticeable physical advantage, but they’ve compensated by played some wonderful football at times.
In goals, David Morrissey and Matthew Loftus had a half each and both had steady displays. In defence, Joseph Doherty and Shea Guinness were once again solid, while James O’Donnell has improved with every game and had another fine match here. Oran McMeel and Cian Duffy worked hard against a lively half forward line and at times broke impressively at pace. Jack McGrath also put in a good shift and Luke Morris worked as hard as ever.
Midfielders Oisin McGurk and Lorcan O’Hagan had another great battle with their men while Dara Cunningham continued his impressive form, winning ball and taking scores. Eoin Blaney also had a strong performance, showing well for the ball to get his team moving, while Oran Donaldson has been a handful for every team he’s met, once more showing great close control as he attacked from deep.
Further forward Cameron McClure was in top form, bagging a couple of goals and later dropping deep to work hard around the middle. Ronan Donaldson scored another fine goal and was a threat throughout while Eunan O’Hare sought to stretch the visiting defence with his pace. And if any player epitomised the spirit of this team, it was Odhran Doherty. Marked by a man twice his size, he didn’t let that bother him as he showed for every ball and won plenty.
Carryduff v Kilcoo: Ciaran McReynolds, Fergus McGrady, Lorcan Swail, Jamie Cunningham, Rory Crosbie, Declan McArdle, Ruairi McCann, Rory Maguire, Tom McCarroll, Patrick MacFarlane, Ryan Sherry, Eoin Donnelly, Jacob Dixon, Jacob Kelly, Oran Teague, Niall McGivern, Lorcan O’Hagan
Carryduff V Saul: David Morrissey, James O’Donnell, Joseph Doherty, Shea Guinness, Jack McGrath, Oran McMeel, Cian Duffy, Oisin McGurk, Lorcan O’Hagan, Dara Cunningham, Eoin Blaney, Oran Donaldson, Ronan Donaldson, Cameron McClure, Eunan O’Hare, Matthew Loftus, Odhran Doherty, Luke Morris, Ross McCartan.
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