Aughlisnafin Ladies welcomed St Michael’s to Annsborough last Tuesday evening in the Junior Football Championship quarter final knowing that a win would set them up for a semi final tie with competition favourites Saul.
The ‘Fin were quick out of the blocks and raced into a four point lead after 10 minutes with points from an Amanda Maginn free, Niamh McClean and two from full forward Nuala O’Hare who was impressive throughout. St Michael’s hit back with a goal when a long ball into the heart of the ‘Fin defence broke fortuitously to a St Michael’s forward who made no mistake from two yards out.
This breakthrough energised the Magheralin girls and they managed to pen the ‘Fin in for long periods of the remainder of the first half, scoring 5 points. In the same period the Fin replied with points of their own on the counter attack through O’Hare again, Laura Lambe and Jody Rice. Maginn finished the half with a fine effort to leave the home side leading by the minimum at half time. It was a solid first half display during which the Fin scored from each of their nine attempts at the target and they went into the second half knowing that they needed to continue in that vein if they were to keep their noses in front of a strong St Michael’s outfit. HT Aughlisnafin 0-09 St Michael’s 1-05.
The second half was a little more attritional than the first with both teams defending well and forcing their opponents to shoot under pressure. The ‘Fin managed the game well and were just able to keep the scoreboard ticking over a little better than their South Down counterparts. With five minutes to go the ‘Fin led by two points and by that stage St Michael’s had to go for goal to try and win the game. The girls in green and white held out and finished strongly with two Niamh McClean scores to see them run out deserved winners. Final score Aughlisnafin 0-14 St Michael’s 1-07.
The ‘Fin can be very proud of their performance. They battled hard throughout and their hard work was epitomised by Nuala McAlinden, Laura Lambe and Jody Rice who never stopped running all night long. They will go into the semi final against Saul this Sunday at 3.30 pm with the hope of causing an upset but they will find it difficult, especially with injuries to midfielder Meghan Flanagan and top scorer Amanda Maginn set to rule them out. We wish them both a speedy recovery.
The U-12’s were at near full strength for the long trip up to Holywood last Tuesday evening to play St Paul’s in their third game in the Summer League Division 2. With the adverse weather and the long road trip the easy option would have been to just give it up as a walkover but the players wanted to get back on the field to get the semi-final loss, six days ago, out of their system. After a cautious start the ‘Fin let loose racking up 2-12 over the first half with only 4 wides in a display of clinical score taking. Dara Burns and Conall King both finding the net with the points coming from Morgan Croskery 0-4, Conor Matthews 0-3, Conall King 0-3, Rhys Clarke 0-1 and Dara Burns 0-1. St Paul’s tallied 0-7 in the same period.
In the second half Burns got his second goal, his fifth in three games, before Croskery also found the net giving the ‘Fin a commanding lead. Manager Francis Boden took the opportunity to empty the bench and while the hosts added 1-4 in response the result was never in any doubt. Dylan McKibbin was outstanding in nets with good handling and well directed kickouts. The back four of Michael Flanagan, Marc Quinn, Peter O’Hare and Morgan Croskery were in commanding form.
The midfield duo of Conor Matthews and Ethan Lyttle bossed the midfield sector with Matthews taking some superb long range points. The forward quartet of Rory Walsh, Conall King, Rhys Clarke and Dara Burns reigned supreme especially in the first half. Subs Owen O’Neill, Odhran Maguire and Niamh King all came on a contributed to a very fine win. Aughlisnafin : D McKibbin, P O’Hare, M Quinn, M Flanagan, M Croskery 1-4, C Matthews 0-3, E Lyttle, R Walsh, R Clarke 0-1, C King 1-3, D Burns 2-1 Subs: O O’Neill, O Maguire, N King. Next up is a parish derby against Castlewellan at Annsborough Playing Fields on Sunday 17th August.
The U-14’s lost their opening ‘B’ Championship game away to Castlewellan last Monday evening. An understrength ‘Fin team were just about able to field the regulation 13 with several absentees in their ranks. It was the proverbial game of two halves. In the first half he hosts enjoyed long periods of possession and picked off 4-10 with the ‘Fin only mustering 0-2 in response, a point apiece from Oran Flanagan and Shea Croskery. In the second half it was beginning to follow a similar trait as the first until the Castlewellan centre half back was sent off after receiving a second yellow.
For the remainder of the game the ‘Fin enjoyed the lions share of possession but failed to make it count on the scoresheet. Flanagan added 1-2 and Croskery tagged on 1-3 as the ‘Fin outscored the ‘Town 2-5 to 1-6 in the second half. Several goal chances went begging for the ‘Fin but it was heartening to see the lads play to the final whistle. Final score Castlewellan 5-16 Aughlisnafin 2-7. Next up is a home game against Saul who lost their opening fixture against Kilcoo.
The U-16’s exited the ‘D’ 9-aside Championship after a loss at home to Dromara. The visitors were physically bigger all over the field and they won the aerial battles more often than not. Dromara led 6-6 to 3-2 at the interval before winning 10-17 to 3-6 at time up. Jack Matthews (3-1), Sean Flanagan (0-3) and Oran Flanagan were the stand outs for the ‘Fin. This completes the U16s football for the season. With all bar three of the squad still eligible at this grade next season they will find teams not as physically imposing and their brand of football will ask more questions of the opposition than it did this season. All U16’s are invited to continue to train along with the U14’s squad for the remainder of the season.
The Seniors will play St Michael’s in the JFC Preliminary Round this Sunday at 1 pm in Liatroim.
Lotto 9, 14, 19, 23. Carmel Doherty was the £20 draw winner. Jackpot £8,000.
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