Aughlisnafin seniors were at home to Dromara last Saturday afternoon in their final league game of the season writes Geároid Ó Lionnacháin.
Despite coming into the game of the back of a three game winning streak, the ‘Fin were unable to continue their good form of late as they fell to a ten point reversal. Dromara were in a rich vein of form themselves and the 2-12 to 0-08 win kept them in contention for the third place play-off spot whereas for the ‘Fin the game was dead rubber and a mere completion of the Fin’s league programme.
The ‘Fin manager Emmett Devlin has continued the year on year improvement with this season being the best since the seniors re-formed in 2004 as the team contested the East Down Feis 7’s final, were runners up in their Junior Championship group and secured their highest league position and points tally. Plenty of positives for the seniors to build on for next season which will see its first player coming through from the club’s underage set up, another milestone for the club.
The U-12.5’s did not fare much better against their Dromara counterparts either in their opening match of the Section C Championship. With a young panel of 15 players the ‘Fin put in a decent first half display with the hosts leading 1-4 to 0-2, however with wind advantage a physically stronger Dromara side ran out comfortable winners in the end.
Shea Croskery top scored for the ‘Fin with 2-3 from play. Peter O’Hare marked a superb debut as a second half sub scoring a fine goal, creating a goal and also hitting the crossbar. Morgan Croskery got the other point of the Fin’s 3-4 tally and was also unlucky to see a 30 metre free hit the crossbar.
As well as the scorer’s there were sterling performances in defence from Jamie Allen, Adam Lenaghan, Rory Walsh and Ruari King. Cathal Murphy Ethan Lyttle and Conor Matthews battled hard in midfield and up front it was another second half sub Rhys Clarke who caught the eye with an assist for a goal. Conall King, Michael Flanagan and Ruairi Quinn all working their hardest to engineer scores against an umcompromising Dromara defence. Aaran Flanagan did very well in nets in the first half before moving into defence second half.
A steep learning curve for what is essentially the U-12’s team plus two year 8’s. Next up are St Paul’s at home this Sunday at 11 am. St Paul’s also won their opening match comfortably and so it will be another hard game for the ‘Fin but one which the lads will relish. The main goal is providing more competitive football for this grade in readiness for their step up to u14’s next season. There will be an inhouse match arranged for this Thursday at 6 pm in Annsboro for all U-12’s and U-14’s.
Dates for the diary :
*  The club will be running a bus to the International Rules game at Croke Park on Saturday 26th October. More details nearer the time.
*  The Juvenile Awards will be held Saturday 2nd November.
*  The Adult Awards Presentation Night will be held on Friday 15th November, venue to be confirmed in due course.
 Maire Scullion (9) was the 49 Club winner.
Lotto 15, 16, 19, 22. Jane McAleenan was a £20 draw winner. Jackpot £5,800
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