Youth Report
Thursday 8 Oct – Sunday 11 Oct 2026
Boys
Age group
2009s
Town
v Carryduff
We drew 🤝The 2009 Town side were in action last weekend against a strong Carryduff team, and the two sides served up a cracking contest. The first half was an even affair with plenty of chances at both ends, and the lads more than matched their opponents all over the pitch.
💬 Coach's report
The second half saw the boys produce some lovely football, edging in front and controlling the game, before Carryduff snatched a dramatic leveller direct from a corner with virtually the last kick of the match. It was another fine team performance full of that never-say-die attitude this group has become known for — plenty for the lads to be proud of, and they'll be raring to go again next time out.
Age group
2013s
Town
v Moira
We won! 🎉The 2013 Town side were in action against Moira last weekend and turned in another superb performance. The lads were dominant for long spells, creating chance after chance, and got their reward when Ordhan rose highest to power home a lovely headed goal in the first half.
💬 Coach's report
After the break the boys kept the pressure on, and goals from Adam and Ordhan put the game to bed. It was another fine defensive performance to go with all that attacking play, and with three wins on the bounce this group is firmly trending in the right direction. Up the Town!
Forest
v Midway United
Hard luck — great effort! 👏The 2013 Forest side were in action against Midway United last weekend and produced a performance full of heart in a well-contested game. The lads created chance after chance, rattling the bar, striking the post and seeing efforts cleared off the goal line — on another day that pressure brings a very different result.
💬 Coach's report
The boys kept pushing right to the end, showing great effort and endeavour for all their hard work. There's so much to be encouraged by in a display like this, and with the chances they're creating every week, the goals will come. This group keeps growing together, and they'll be back at it with heads held high next time out.
Player of the Week
Nathan — tireless work rate throughout and strong in the tackle.
Age group
2014s
Town
v Hillsborough Boys
Hard luck — great effort! 👏The 2014 Town side were in action last weekend and, while the result didn't go their way, there were plenty of positives to take from the performance. The work rate was superb all over the pitch, with Dan and Eoghan leading the way, and the lads created some fantastic opportunities throughout. The pick of the goals was a goal-of-the-season contender from Leo, lashed home from long range.
💬 Coach's report
A big Castlewellan welcome to our three new recruits — Pat, Ternian and Carrig — whose fresh legs in the second half noticeably lifted the performance levels. With this kind of effort and new faces adding to the squad, this group is only going one way. Up the Town!
Age group
2015s
Forest
v Lower Maze
Hard luck — great effort! 👏The 2015 Forest side made the trip to Glenmore last weekend for a thrilling contest with Lower Maze. The boys played some lovely football all game — Luca smashed a great shot into the net from outside the box, and Malachi ran straight through the middle of the defence before finishing brilliantly. Sean was in fine form in goal too, pulling off some great stops to keep Forest in the fight.
💬 Coach's report
The lads pushed hard in the second half and kept creating chances, with Luca rattling the crossbar from a brilliant free kick and Ruadhri playing a lovely one-two with Henry before running through and finishing well. The result didn't quite go their way this time, but with performances like this there are lots of positives — that first win is coming, and this group will keep chasing it with smiles on their faces.
Age group
2016s
Town
v Warrenpoint Town
We won! 🎉The 2016 Town boys made the trip to Warrenpoint last week full of confidence and turned in a brilliant team display. After weathering an early spell of home pressure, the lads took control with some lovely football across the pitch — Theo and Leo causing problems out wide while Cian and Eanna bossed the middle. The pick of the action saw Cian whip in a corner that broke to Eanna, who smashed a great strike into the top corner from outside the box.
💬 Coach's report
The boys came out strong in the second half, with Neil and Shealan chasing down every ball up front, and Leo was desperately unlucky to see a clever chip over the advancing keeper spin back off the post. The pressure told late on when Eanna's long-range effort bounced over the keeper and Shealan reacted quickest to tap home, and the lads saw out a win they fully deserved. Every boy played his part, with Brian Óg solid between the posts. Up the Town!
Forest
v Glens United
We won! 🎉The 2016 Forest side took on Glens United last weekend and produced a brilliant team performance. After a fairly even opening spell, the boys settled into their usual shape and got on top of the game. Finn came within a whisker of opening the scoring straight from a corner, seeing his effort come back off the post, before Lorcan broke the deadlock just before half-time with a well-worked goal — some great movement at a throw-in creating the space to open up the defence.
💬 Coach's report
The second half was a tight contest, with Finn, Killian and Oisín all forcing great saves from the Glens keeper, while Thomas was brilliant at the other end and the defence worked tirelessly to keep Glens United at bay. The game was put to bed when Finn slid a lovely through ball for Lorcan to run onto and finish brilliantly, sealing a deserved win for the lads. Up the Town!
Player of the Week
Riley — switched on from the first whistle and putting in some great tackles, a fantastic defensive performance.
Colts
v Lisburn United
Hard luck — great effort! 👏The 2016 Colts came up against a strong Lisburn Rangers side last weekend and, while the result didn't go their way, the lads produced some moments to really shout about. The pick of them was a stunning goal from Tadhg, who spotted the keeper off his line and lobbed him from inside our own half — a strike the parents on the sideline will be talking about for a long time.
💬 Coach's report
Michael provided the highlight of the second half, powering his way through midfield before producing a great finish. It was a tough test against a good side, but these are the games this group will learn the most from — the Colts will dust themselves off and go again, and with goals like those in the locker there are plenty of good days ahead. Up the Town!
Age group
2017s
Town
v Dromara
We won! 🎉The 2017 Town side took on Dromara last weekend and turned in a performance full of control and tempo. After an evenly contested opening ten minutes, the lads began to impose themselves on the game, and the pressure paid off when Rilley arrived with a great finish. The boys kept creating chances after the break too, and Stephen — wearing the captain's armband — popped up with a brilliant solo finish to cap a fully deserved win.
💬 Coach's report
Reon was brilliant between the sticks whenever he was called upon, and there were great performances all round. A special mention for Adam, who showed a brilliant attitude in battling on for his teammates while carrying a sore knee — that's the spirit this group is built on. Well done lads, up the Town!
Forest
v Lisburn Rangers
We won! 🎉The Forest 2017s were back under the Dome at Colin Glen last weekend for a Friday-night fixture against a determined Lisburn Rangers side, and what a night it turned out to be. After an even opening spell was soaked up by some disciplined defending, the boys took charge — Cody slid a lovely ball through for Daithi to dribble fully 25 yards before rifling it into the net, Senan split the defence with a gorgeous pass for Cody to finish beautifully, and Cody, Senan and Jaxon all added great finishes as the lads went up through the gears to seal a well-deserved win.
💬 Coach's report
This was a massive performance from every single player. Odhran, Daire, Caelan and Eoin were brave and strong at the back, giving the opposition very little, while captain Daire led by example as he always does. A special welcome to Jarlaith, who produced a massive save on a brilliant first game between the sticks for his new squad, and a special mention for Gavin, who bravely turned out in his wrist splint and showed once again what a huge player he is. This group grows in confidence every week and is playing more and more for each other — fantastic to see. Up the Town!
Player of the Week
Jaxon — worked tirelessly throughout, was strong on the ball and let nothing past him, capping a superb performance with a fantastic goal.
Age group
2018s
Town
v Banbridge, Ballymacash and Carryduff
Fun football — no scores kept, loads of smiles! ⚽Win x3
💬 Coach's report
The 2018 Town boys kept their standards sky high in 1A last weekend, coming away with wins in all three of their games. Banbridge were a good passing side, but the lads closed them down quickly in every attack and were clinical going forward. Against another good Ballymacash team, Jonathan pulled off some good saves while the boys used the full width of the pitch, with lovely through balls from midfield setting up some great finishes.
The Carryduff game was a competitive one and tight at the start, but once the boys found their rhythm they played lovely football all over the pitch and got their reward in the end. It was another superb showing from every single player — this group just keeps setting the standard week after week. Up the Town!
Conleth — in the thick of everything, hard for any midfield to deal with, and some lethal strikes amongst his goals.
Forest
Fun football — no scores kept, loads of smiles! ⚽2 Wins, 1 Loss
💬 Coach's report
The 2018 Forest boys had a busy outing last weekend with three games on the schedule. The opener against a physical Lisburn City side didn't go their way despite some good football, with Lorcan getting a well-taken goal, but the lads bounced straight back in style against Glendown. Heads went up, they looked for their teammates, and their relentless pressing kept Glendown hemmed in for the whole game — Zach, Alfie, Jack, Thomas and Cormac all got in on the goals, with Zach's final one flying in off the post with the very last kick of the game.
The Colin Valley game was a tight one for long spells, with their keeper in fine form, but Thomas kept at it with some neat finishing to help the boys pull away, and Harry came off the bench to make a real impact — his first goal an outrageous scoop lob over the keeper from close range after beating a few players. Another great week for a group that's really coming on, rated the best team of the four in their schedule two weeks running. Up the Town!
Age group
2019s
Town
v Hillsborough, Ballymacash and Dromara
Fun football — no scores kept, loads of smiles! ⚽1 Win, 1 Draw, 1 Loss
💬 Coach's report
The 2019 Town boys had an early start at the Twinbrook cages last weekend for three games, and they played brilliantly all the way through. The opener against Hillsborough finished level in an exciting battle, with Aodhan in unstoppable form in front of goal and the boys growing into the game more and more. The Ballymacash game brought a deserved win — the lads showed how strong they are going forward and on the defensive line, with goals from Ruairi and Aodhan capping some brilliant teamwork and movement with the ball.
The last game against a strong Dromore side was a real test, and the boys worked ever so hard on the defensive line, with Teddy pulling off some good saves and great goals from Bobby and Aodhan to cheer. A huge well done to all three goalkeepers — Riley, Bobby and Teddy did a fantastic job between them — and to captain Teddy, who put in strong tackles and kept the boys' spirits up throughout. Well done boys, up the Town!
Player of the Week
Aodhan — he didn't stop all day: immense attacking and scoring, all over the pitch at the right time, with great attitude and passing.
Forest
Fun football — no scores kept, loads of smiles! ⚽1 Win, 1 Draw, 1 Loss
💬 Coach's report
The 2019 Forest boys had a good day out last weekend with three games played and plenty to shout about. The first match brought a brilliant win with a great performance from every player — Charlie was superb all day, Laughlin and Rossa got on the scoresheet with well-taken goals, and Koah was brilliant in nets with some super saves. The second game didn't go the lads' way despite Senan firing them into an early lead with a good finish and the boys dominating much of the game — one to learn from, and learn they will.
The final match was a cracker to watch and finished all square. The opposition had a clear height and physical advantage, but that didn't matter one bit to our boys, who showed great fighting spirit in a real battle — and once again it was Charlie popping up with a big goal when it mattered most. A special mention for Koah, who wore the captain's armband and led the team brilliantly. Well done boys, up the Town!
Colts
v Moira and Banbridge
Fun football — no scores kept, loads of smiles! ⚽1 Win, 1 Loss
💬 Coach's report
What a fantastic day for the 2019 Colts last weekend, taking on Moira and Banbridge and coming away with a win in a pair of thrilling games. The improvement in every single player is just amazing to see — great passing, brilliant teamwork and plenty of goals, with Matthew and Connor doing the damage in front of goal.
Liam and Cillian were brilliant between the posts, pulling off some really hard saves, and Wyatt wore the captain's armband and led the boys superbly. The coaches couldn't be prouder of this group — you all played absolutely amazing, boys. Up the Town!
Connor — he played so hard, included everyone, scored goals and encouraged the whole team throughout.
Age group
2020s
Town
v Oxford Sunnyside, Crewe United and Dromore Swifts
Fun football — no scores kept, loads of smiles! ⚽The 2020 Town boys had another fantastic outing last weekend, playing up in the 2019s section at the Hillsborough Football Factory. They got off to a flying start with a win over Oxford Sunnyside in a game that was competitive from start to finish, with some great saves from Eoin in nets and strong tackling from Daire in defence keeping the boys on top while Daithi, Ronan and Danny did the damage up front. The Crewe United game was another hard-fought battle against a physical side — and a special mention to Danny and Eoin, who showed brilliant sportsmanship by togging out for Crewe when they were short of numbers. Ronan and Daniel battled hard in midfield to tee up Daithi, with Danny and Ronan also getting on the scoresheet.
💬 Coach's report
The final game against Dromore Swifts was end-to-end stuff, and the boys showed real character to fight back and earn a draw with all-out attack in the closing minutes — Daithi, Ronan, Danny and Eoin all finding the net, backed up by great defending from Daire and goalkeeping from Daniel. There were some great team goals across the three games, and best of all the boys are clearly loving their football. Danny wore the captain's armband after taking player of the week honours the week before. Up the Town!
Player of the Week
Ronan — fantastic all over the pitch with great work rate and tackling, and goals to top it off.
Girls
Age group
Under 12s
Town
v Drumaness Mills
We won! 🎉Another brilliant comeback win for the Under 12 Town girls last weekend against Drumaness Mills. The girls showed real character to respond after falling behind, with Cara leading the charge in front of goal and Kate getting in on the act with a lovely finish of her own. Éabha was desperately unlucky to see her effort come back off the post, and by the break the girls had turned the game right around.
💬 Coach's report
The second half was a tighter affair, but the girls saw it out superbly, with Cait absolutely outstanding in defence all match long. All the girls played so well, and the coaching team is delighted with the progress they're making week on week — with the cup competition coming up, there's plenty to look forward to. Up the Town!
Age group
Under 10s
Town
We won! 🎉2 Wins, 1 Draw, 1 Loss - Town
💬 Coach's report
Another good week for the Under 10 Town girls last weekend, with four games played and a lot of positives — great team goals and a brilliant work rate throughout. The day started with a very tight and competitive draw against Ballynagross, where the girls played really well and led for most of the game. Rossglass provided another close battle, and although the result went against a strong side, the girls fought hard for every ball with Pheobe producing some brilliant saves in goal.
The girls bounced back in style against Drumaness with some of their best football of the day — great passing moves and team goals, Caitlin and Clara combining beautifully to set each other up, and a stunning strike from Darcie from near the halfway line. They finished the day strong with another great team win over Ballynahinch, with Caragh, Pheobe and Saorla all getting on the scoresheet. Well done girls!
Player of the Week
Pheobe — a solid day all round: fantastic in goals with some great saves, and a well-taken goal in the final game.
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3 Wins, 1 Draw - Town
The Under 10 Town girls were at Robert Adams Park in Crossgar last weekend for four fixtures, and what a day they had — three wins and a draw, playing every game a player short, which makes the performances all the more exceptional. The opener against Kilmore Rec was a hard-fought one, with Lucie and Amarah reading and controlling play superbly from midfield and defence, Eabha's powerful running driving the team forward, and Rioghnach popping up in injury time to seal the win. Ballynahinch was the unlucky one — the girls dominated and created chance after chance with some excellent football, Eabha finishing one off with a true poacher's instinct, but an inspired Ballynahinch goalkeeper made save after save and the game finished level.
The Downpatrick game was a delight for the coaches, as the teamwork and work ethic really began to shine — goalkeeper Katie's short, medium and long passing brought real variety to the attacks, Lara (the team's own Maldini) was tenacious in the tackle, and Amarah's sweetly struck goal secured a thoroughly deserved win. The girls then finished the day brilliantly against a tricky, ever-improving Rossglass side, with Lucie's leadership helping them manage the game intelligently and Eabha and Rioghnach linking up superbly for Rioghnach's clinical finish. The intelligence, maturity and game management on show will serve this group so well — the coaches are delighted with them all. High fives all round!
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Thanks to all our coaches, parents and volunteers for making youth football happen.
