Our Under 13 Footballer’s celebrated success on Saturday in the DYFL Cup Final against Coney Island. The two teams finished first and second in the league this season, with Coney Island pipping our boys in the last game of the season. Yesterdays game started evenly with Coney Island taking the lead mid way through the first half. The boys nearly equalised with Tiernán Connolly hitting the post, however almost immediately Coney Island broke and took a two nil lead into the half time break.
Minutes into the second half Conor Gates scored a brilliant free kick, which was won by Cormac Watson, bringing the boys back into the game. Shortly after, the excellent Donagh Keary made the best of a number of key saves he made throughout the match, to keep just the single goal between the teams. Moments later a great pass from Jack McMurrough caused confusion in the box and Tiernán Connolly nipped in to equalise and bag his 45th goal of the season. An injury then to the excellent Cormac Barr, brought Brócán McKay on in midfield. Brócán’s energy and drive caused Coney Island problems for the remainder of the game. Indeed it was Brócán who was fouled 5 minutes from the end of the match at the edge of the penalty box which brought about the winning goal, which was curled home by Tiernán to turn around a remarkable recovery from the boys in the second half and win the cup for the Town. It was difficult to single out a man of the match yesterday as all the boys played so well and showed true heart and battling qualities, however without our goalie’s key saves the game could have slipped away from the boys, so the man of the match went to Donagh Keary.
Well done to the full squad Donagh Keary, Jack McMurragh, Nathan Garland, Conor Gates, Darragh Cluskey, Jordan McDonald, Cormac Barr, Cormac Watson, Ronan Houston, Daniel Rice, Tiernán Connolly, Brócán McKay, Aidan McDonald, Luke McCabe, Cormac McKibben, Connor McVeigh, Tom Boden, Nathan Owens, Tiarnan Gallagher, Sean O’Neill, Tieran Dornan & Conor Byrne.
Special thank you to Robbie, Damien and Bernard who coached the boys all season. Thanks also to the many parents who have supported the boys this year. Enjoy your summer guys and back at it again next season.
The under 17s had a great result in their semi final against Wakehurst. The lads were really up for the game and dominated proceedings for much of the game. The Town went 1 up after 15 minutes when a training ground move came foo with Caolan Burns set up Daniel Cunningham who half volleyed home. Castlewellan kept up the pressure and went further ahead when Caolan Burns slotted home a second goal after the Wakehurst blundered.
In the second half Wakehurst came out fighting and pulled a goal back from a free kick just outside the area. The pressure was on now but gutsy defending and plain hard work kept the Ballymena team from equalising. The Town management made a few changes and the boys stepped things up a gear. Midway through the half Castlewellan were awarded a free kick 20 yards from goal and Matthew Carvill blasted the ball into the roof of the net. At 3-1 the Town were happy enough just to see the game out.
A great result for the Under 17s who now go on to play Lisburn Distillery in the final on May 6th. Their opponents haven’t been beaten all season so it will be a very difficult game for the boys but football is a funny old game!
