Hard luck to the Ford Senior girls team after their epic journey in the Ulster Club Championship Semi-Final came to an end on Sunday against past winners (2010), Termon from Donegal reports Brendan Ward
This was a great match and even going in at half-time 2 points down, 1-05 to 2-04, despite having more possession in that half, the supporters felt that an upset was a possibility. However Termon’s half time talk seemed to have worked with 3 quickfire goals in the first 12 mins or so effectively ending the game as a contest.
The girls though, true to form, fought back with 3 unanswered points but try as they might they couldn’t muster the necessary goals to pull back the Termon lead. The final score 5-05 to 1-08 really doesn’t do justice to the effort and work rate of the ladies and Seamus and Liam can be rightly proud of the effort the squad put in, not just to this match but the whole year.
The club wishes to thank the squad and management for their efforts and hope that with this taste of football at the highest level will spur them on to greater things in the near future and that the lessons an experiences learned from this years campaign can and will be a benefit in their future progression.
We also thank all the well wishers and sponsors, Daniel Steele for his goal keeping coaching and the water carriers Shanneen Owens and Natalie McKibben. Also to Paul Laverty for his work on the day and to the helpers after the match with food, sandwiches and tea etc and to Siobhan Corrigan for making the food for both teams.
The U-21 competition got under way on Sunday with a solid display against St Brigid’s with the Ford lads winning 2-11 to 2-06. Kilcoo are up next and this will also be a tough match so good luck there lads.
On Sunday past Bryansford year nine played what was basically a semi final of the A Championship against Saul. Having already two wins under their belt a third win would leave them them at the top and in the final.
Semi finals can be a very tricky encounter. Saul entered the match with nothing to loose as they had been beaten twice already. Bryansford however just had to win and perhaps this nervousness showed in their play. There was a touch of desperation to get across the line which led to mistakes and not the usual fluid play the boys are capable off.
The weather was difficult with a strong wind blowing down the field meaning the two halves of the match required different tactics. A short possession first half and a longer ball game in the second. With Bryansford only down by three points at the break it was hoped with wind this could be changed. However Saul played superbly and managed to With hold Bryansfords attacks. It’s wasn’t until a few minutes from the end that the long ball in, found the Bryansford full forward in the box. One on one he managed to turn his man and shoot for a goal to send Byransford to the final and start great celebrations.
The boys have tremendous will to win and never give up battling, sometimes you win games with nice football, sometimes you win ugly, this was the latter.
We would appeal to all Bryansford supporters to come along and cheer the lads on in the final.
The U-10,s travelled to the Neil Thompson memorial tournament in Ballykinler on Saturday for their final tournament of the year. Due to a number of withdrawals 6 U-8 players got the chance to play at this level and they didn’t disappoint. Following a defeat to a very strong Saul side, a great win over Bright put Bryansford into the cup semi final against Loughanisland.
The Ford more than matched their much bigger and older opponents for almost all the game. A brilliant long range goal from Thomas Burns had the ford 1 point up with 5 mins to play but unfortunately a late goal and 2 points by Loughinisland meant the ford were edged out. Conleth Kelly, who reverted from full foward in the group games to goalkeeper in the semi final was superb, making a number of brilliant saves. His brother Oisin Kelly held the defence together and was greatly assisted by 2 young under 8,s, Sean Cope and Keiran Lundy.
Thomas Burns ruled midfield and forged a great partnership with Sean Donegan as the 2 of them threatened to cause a big shock in the semi final. In an all U-8 forward line Jack Sutherland gave his marker a torrid time and was causing all sorts of problems to Loughinisland while Myles McCrickard was also exceptional supporting him.
Seven year old Darragh Mckibbin performed well in his first U-10 tournament and Dylan Mckibbin is coming on leaps and bounds over the year. Martin would like to thank all parents for the support throughout the year and hopes to see everyone back in the new year.
There is a Family Halloween Party in the clubs Sports Hall on Wed the 31 October from 7-9pm. On the night there is a £3 cover charge and there will be spot prizes for the best fancy dress with a boys and a girls bike for the winners which was kindly donated by Mourne Cycles Newcastle also a FIFA 13 for 2nd place which was donated by newgameshop.co.uk, an O’Neills football, a teddy bear from Thumbelina in Newcastle and many other spot prizes on the night. Judge for the night will be Audrey Byrne from the Towns Chamber of Commerce and everyone is welcome.
There is also a fancy dress on the Friday the 2 November in clubrooms from 8pm to late.
Finally we wish the new committee well for the incoming year and hope that things run as smoothly and successfully as possible and we would like to thank all our out going committee members for their years of dedicated hard work and commitment to our club.
