The under 13s delivered on their early season promise on Saturday morning as they won their first trophy of the season and inflicted Tollymore’s first DYFL defeat of the year. These two teams had yet to play each other competitively and both had been in excellent form going into the game. Castlewellan settled quickest and had the bears on the back foot from the kick off. The Town piled on the pressure in the early stages and goals from Ruari McGuinness, Jack McCourt and Callum McKibben were reward for some excellent first half football.
Tollymore rallied in the second period but Castlewellan stood strong and never allowed them to get back into the game and despite conceding a late goal the young town side were well worth their win.
Castlewellan’s success was built on hard work and there were the usual strong performances all over the field. Oisin O’Toole was excellent in nets and unlucky not to keep a clean sheet. In defence Eoin Travers, Eoin Lundy and Adam Garland all had mature and composed games. Jack McCourt, Eoin Moag and Adam McAleese ran all day in midfield and up front Ruari McGuinness, Callum McKibben and Mathew Carville had Tollymore on the back foot, but the one player who really stood out for his work rate and tenacity was James McAleenan and he was the worthy recipient of the man of the match award.
