Week two of the East Down U14 Boys football leagues saw both teams in action, but neither side could match their week one wins.
In Division One, Carryduff travelled to Newcastle to play old rivals Bryansford and faced into a stiff breeze in the first half. Although the home side built an eight point lead, the Duff would have been looking forward to playing with the wind at their backs in the second half. Unfortunately their task became all the more difficult as the home side struck for two goals just before the break to turn around leading on a scoreline of 2-9 to 0-1.
The second period saw an impressive Bryansford side increase their lead, before Carryduff finished strongly and got some good scores on the board. The game ended with Bryansford winning by 4-10 to 1-8. A disappointing night for the boys, but one they can take plenty of lessons from. The bar has been set and it’s up to the Duff to raise their game as the season progresses.
In Division Two, Carryduff travelled to Teconnaught. Conditions weren’t conducive to good football with a strong breeze blowing across the pitch and constant heavy rain and hail making things even more difficult. Nonetheless, Carryduff started well against a physically imposing home side and hit some great scores in the first half. While the Duff had plenty of the ball, Teconnaught’s ability to power through for goals kept them in touch and the teams turned with the home side ahead 3-1 to 2-3.
The second half followed a similar pattern with the Duff battling hard to contain Teconnaught’s runners, while working some well-crafted scores at the other end. Indeed by the mid-point of the half, Carryduff had got their noses in front, but their efforts were beginning to take a toll. A couple of goals pushed Teconnaught in front and though the Duff hit back with 1-2 of their own, they had no more in the tank and the home side hit a flurry of late goals to put a rather harsh look on the final scoreline. Teconnaught 9-3 to Carryduff 4-7.
Despite the result, this was another good effort for the young Carryduff side. Given the terrible conditions, they moved the ball particularly well at times and tried everything to stick with their bigger and stronger opponents. There’s plenty to work on, but also lots of positives moving forward.
Week Three sees Carryduff host Liatroim in Division One, while the B team are on the road again as they travel to Loughinisland.
Carryduff v Bryansford: Patrick MacFarlane, Jacob Dixon, Ruairi McCann, Rory Maguire, Ryan Sherry, Jamie Cunningham, Lorcan Swail, Ciaran McReynolds, Rory Crosbie, Declan McArdle, Tom McCarroll, Eoin Donnelly, Oran Teague, Eoghan O’Connor, Oran Donaldson, Oran McMeel.
Carryduff v Teconnaught: Fergal McNicholl, James O’Donnell, Joseph Doherty, Shea Guinness, Callum McLeod, Oisin McGurk, Rory Hughes, Conleth McCormick, Lorcan O’Hagan, Ronan Donaldson, Cian Duffy, Lorcan O’Connor, Eoin Blaney, Matthew Robinson, Odhrán Doherty, Liam Blaney, Daniel Robinson.
