Youth Report
Thursday 27 Aug – Sunday 30 Aug 2026
Age group
2013s
Town
v Ashgrove Rovers
Hard luck — great effort! 👏The 2013 Town team opened their league campaign last weekend against a good Ashgrove Rovers side, and put in a very gutsy performance in lashing rain. For long spells the lads were the better side, pushing Rovers back with some lovely combination play and competing all over the pitch against a much bigger team. Odhran won a penalty when he was tripped in the box, and Fionn showed nerves of steel from the spot — when his first effort had to be retaken, he calmly sent the keeper the other way and buried it in the roof of the net.
💬 Coach's report
Jamie added another brilliant goal, getting on the end of a good ball in from the left and lobbing the keeper. The result didn't go our way in the end, but the coaches were genuinely delighted with the attitude and performance on show. If the lads keep playing at that level, it bodes really well for a good season ahead — heads high, boys, and on to the next one!
Age group
2016s
Town
v Valley Rangers
We won! 🎉The 2016 Town kicked off their season last weekend with a brilliant win away at a quality Valley Rangers side. The boys found themselves behind early on, but they showed real character to battle back into the game, with Cian nicking a goal just before half-time to keep spirits high going into the break.
💬 Coach's report
The second half was an unbelievable show from start to finish. Leo cut inside from the left and hit a thumping strike from distance, Neil nipped in to poke one past the keeper after a great ball from Shaelan, and Cian capped things off in style with a beautiful free kick. The winning mentality on show from every single player was something special — every one of them played for the badge, and the result was well deserved. What a way to start the season!
Forest
v Loughgall
Hard luck — great effort! 👏The 2016 Forest took on a very strong Loughgall side last weekend and gave absolutely everything from the first whistle to the last. The boys started positively and battled hard throughout, with Brian Og producing some fantastic saves in goals that had everyone on the sideline applauding.
💬 Coach's report
Despite the result not going our way, we couldn't be prouder of this group. They came out strongly for the second half, never gave up, and fought right to the final whistle — exactly the spirit we love to see. Heads up, boys, we go again next week!
Age group
2017s
Town
We won! 🎉The 2017 Town marked their very first outing in the Lisburn League last weekend with a fantastic win. The lads played some magnificent football — everything they've been working on in training came out in their play, with lovely passing and moving and two-touch football all over the pitch. It was so impressive that the opposition's coach paid the boys a great compliment during the match!
💬 Coach's report
Adam was superb at the back, reading the game brilliantly and doing his defensive job with a maturity beyond his years, with Reon behind him in goals. There will be more challenging games ahead in the new league, but as long as this group sticks to their style, works as a team and keeps playing with a smile, they're more than capable of making a real impact. Up the Town!
Forest
v Lisburn Rangers
We won! 🎉The 2017 Forest team travelled to Lisburn last weekend to take on a strong Lisburn Rangers outfit, and with only six players available the lads faced the daunting task of playing the entire match a man down. It didn't faze them one bit — they soaked up early pressure, gradually worked their way into the game and grew in confidence, putting together some neat passages of play. Senan and Gavin finished off two lovely team moves, Cody was on the end of another great move to coolly slot home, and Gavin rifled one into the net superbly. Clinical stuff from a team that never stopped running!
💬 Coach's report
Every one of the six was a real credit. Daithi made some big saves at important moments, Eoin and Odhran kept things tight at the back while standing up to intense pressure, and Senan, Gavin and Cody covered every blade of grass — helping out in defence as well as carrying the attacking threat. Cody captained the side, leading by example with a cool head and a lovely touch on the ball, while Gavin took Player of the Week for working his socks off up and down the field, strong in the tackle and always a willing runner for his teammates. Boys, you should be very proud!
Age group
2018s
Town
v Lisburn Rangers, Oxford Sunnyside and Moira
We won! 🎉The 2018 Town team kicked off their Lisburn league campaign in style last weekend, winning all three of their games against Lisburn Rangers, Oxford Sunnyside and Moira. The weather in Lurgan was absolutely brutal, but the boys just did what they do best — moving the ball quickly, working as a unit and putting on a great display in completely new territory for this group.
💬 Coach's report
The coaches couldn't fault a single one of them, with the whole squad chipping in and plenty to celebrate in front of goal. Finn took the Player of the Week award after slotting into a few different positions across the morning — always calm on the ball, never panicking, making good decisions and working tirelessly. A brilliant start to the campaign — well done, boys!
Age group
2019s
Town
We won! 🎉What a way to start the season! The 2019 Town team stepped up to the Lisburn league last weekend and took it all in their stride, playing three games full of strong tackling, clever reading of the game and brilliant teamwork. You could see the confidence growing in every player as the morning went on, and it showed in some lovely team goals. The boys passed, shouted for the ball and defended superbly as a unit — and even when things got challenging they never gave up, showing a fantastic attitude right to the final whistle.
💬 Coach's report
A special mention goes to the three goalkeepers on duty today — Riley, Bobby and Danny — who all played really well and pulled off some super saves between them. Well done to all the boys on a great start to life in the new league. Let's get back at it next week!
Forest
Fun football — no scores kept, loads of smiles! ⚽The 2019 Forest team were in action last weekend with three matches, and a slight bit of rain never came close to dampening their spirits. There was some quality movement, passing and defending on show all morning, and the goalkeepers deserve a special mention for some fantastic saves.
💬 Coach's report
Owen wore the captain's armband today and led the team brilliantly, while Rosa fully deserved the Player of the Week award — she took a couple of knocks but never stopped working for the team. Super proud of every one of them. Keep up the fantastic work!
Colts
v Banbridge and Sunnyside Stars
Fun football — no scores kept, loads of smiles! ⚽What a fantastic first match back for the 2019 Colts! The boys took on Banbridge and Sunnyside Stars and played their hearts out from start to finish, with Ryan proudly wearing the captain's armband for the day.
💬 Coach's report
Ollie was named Player of the Week after a brilliant performance that saw him find the net against Sunnyside Stars, and Matthew got on the scoresheet too. Every one of the boys played amazingly, and a big thank you to everyone who helped out today — roll on the next one! ⚽
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Thanks to all our coaches, parents and volunteers for making youth football happen.
