Youth Report

The 2009 Town side produced another great team performance against a decent Hillsborough Boys outfit, playing some lovely, entertaining football from start to finish. Charlie got things rolling with a well-taken finish from a corner, and the good stuff kept coming — Jack capped off a spell of really good midfield play with a superb strike from outside the box.

Ben rounded off the display with a real striker's finish at the end of some great build-up play, each goal the product of proper team football. Another brilliant outing from this group — well done, lads. Up the Town!

The 2016 Town boys built on last week's good result with a cracking performance against Oxford Sunnyside. The lads started brightly and in control, and Cian's long throw-ins proved a real weapon — Neil met the first with his right foot and then smashed another home with his left, two lovely finishes. Fionn, Rory and Connor were strong in defence, dealing with everything Sunnyside tried.

When Sunnyside enjoyed a spell of pressure in the second half, the boys showed real grit and character to take the game back under control. Leo burst down the left, cut inside his man and fired home brilliantly, and moments later Connor won the ball in midfield and found Cian, whose through ball sent Shealin racing clear to finish. Connor capped a superb all-round display at wing back and in midfield — a great team performance.

The 2017 Town team played exceptional, high-tempo football against Hillsborough Boys and got every reward for their hard work. Falling behind early against the run of play didn't faze them one bit — Rilley hit back almost immediately with an individual cracker into the bottom corner, and after Noah and Reon laid a solid platform of lovely one-touch football, great determination from Caoimhin won the ball back to play Rilley in to slot home again.

The second half carried on where the first left off: a great ball from Ollie and a clever touch from Rilley sent Caoimhin away to smash one into the bottom corner, Noah rifled home from a corner, and Caoimhin added another with a clever touch from a free kick. Ollie was solid as ever with fantastic distribution, while Senan and Stephen controlled the midfield. A brilliant night of attacking football from the whole team.

A busy day of football for the 2018 Town boys with three games against Moira, Oxford Sunnyside and Carryduff. Against Moira you couldn't fault the display — the lads moved the ball with real precision and the goals kept coming. Against Oxford Sunnyside the boys pressed the whole game and were only denied by an outstanding goalkeeper, with Oxford working hard throughout.

The Carryduff game was a real battle against a strong squad — a flying start inside the opening minute, a lovely finish from Ben near the end, and the lads pushing right to the final whistle. A performance to be really happy with across the whole day. Finn was absolutely superb, stepping it up a notch and setting up goal after goal — a real team player.

What a day of football for the 2019 Town boys, producing their best team performance yet against some very good opposition. They flew out of the traps against Carryduff Colts, creating attack after attack, with Senan getting the breakthrough, Aodhan quickly following up and Bobby adding some good finishes — all backed up by brilliant defending. Against a very good, physical Ballymacash Rangers side the boys put absolutely everything in and created plenty of chances of their own.

The Oxford Sunnyside game was a thriller — flying out of the traps again with Aodhan and Bobby on target, then digging deep under pressure, with Rossa making brilliant saves and every player throwing themselves into blocks to see it out. Big thanks to Koah, Bobby and Rossa for sharing the goalkeeping. Captain Aodhan was everywhere, and Koah was absolutely brilliant — great saves in goal before coming outfield, where his defending and use of the ball were superb. Well done, Koah!

A fantastic day of football for our youngest Town team, who came through three games against some very strong opposition showing great determination, composure and teamwork. The boys flew out of the traps against Dromore, with Daithí and Charlie on target and Dáire equal to everything that came his way. Against Crewe the lads piled on the pressure from the first whistle and the goals flowed, with Daithí, Danny, Ronan, Charlie and Dáire all getting in on the act.

Dromara provided the toughest test of the day in a competitive game full of strong challenges, but Danny broke the deadlock with a brilliant solo run and composed finish, Daithí made some important saves, and Charlie struck late on to seal a perfect day. Daniel wore the armband with pride, and Dáire capped a brilliant performance — a well-taken goal, tireless running and a knack for finding great positions all over the pitch.