The U14’s kept themselves in touch with the top of Division 2 with a tremendous result away to Darragh Cross on a warm and balmy evening. After leading by 8-9 to 3-2 at the interval the ‘Fin scored a further 2-13 in the second half while restricting the hosts to a solitary point. The ‘Fin dominated for large periods of the game with the midfield pairing of Shea Croskery and Eoin Lundy scoring a combined 4-8 over the hour. Oran Flanagan was on fire at corner forward grabbing 4-7 on his own and saw another goal disallowed.
Michael Clarke made his full debut and chipped in with 1-1 in a hard working first half hour. The other scorers were Ruari King 1-1, Conor Matthews 0-2 and Ruairi Quinn 0-1 with subs Ben Ogle 0-1 and Oisin Cassidy Dawson 0-1 also on target. Morgan Croskery again performing well in nets and was well protected, especially in the second half, by a tenacious back five of Callum Haynes, Jamie Allen, Ruairi Quinn, Lewis Casement and Jack Matthews. At half forward Adam Lenaghan gave an exhibition in the art of the blockdown and his quick passing and turnovers assisted many scoring opportunities. Final score Darragh Cross 3-3 Aughlisnafin 10-22. The U14’s are away to Bredagh B next Monday evening.
The U12’s also had a great win at home to a very good footballing Drumaness side who pushed the ‘Fin all the way. The ‘Fin got the first three points of the game. Morgan Croskery stroked over a 25 and added a second from play. A lovely long range effort from Conor Matthews the third. Drumaness responded with a point. Conall King replied with a 20-yarder that sailed over the Drumaness keeper to the net. Drumaness then got a second point before Croskery slotted over his second ’25 with aplomb.
Croskery then fetched superbly from the Drumaness kick out but was penalised, perhaps unfairly because of his sheer presence, as he tried to move forward. Drumaness took a quick free kick which led to them grabbing a goal against the run of play. They followed up with a point to leave only the minimum between the sides but that was to be their last score of the half. With Michael Flanagan in dominant form at half back this provided the platform for six points from the ‘Fin without reply. Rhys Clarke, Conor Donnelly, Ethan Lyttle, Croskery, King and the inspirational Matthews all sending over. Lyttle and Matthews saw efforts rebound of the crossbar as well. Half time score Aughlisnafin 1-10 Drumaness 1-3.
King got the first point of the second half for the ‘Fin with Drumaness replying. Croskery sent over his third ’25 of the match and Donnelly grabbed his first goal of the game to put the Fin in the driving seat. Another point from King put the Fin twelve points ahead with fifteen minutes to go. Drumaness kept playing very good football and scored three points before a second goal from Donnelly effectively suppressed a threatened comeback. As the ‘Fin emptied their bench Drumaness added a further 1-3 to their tally but the ‘Fin added 2-3 in the same period. Croskery with his fourth ’25 of the game and another from play, Lyttle slotted over a long range effort and Clarke & Matthews both sending to the net. Clarke’s goal coming from a long kickout from Aaran Flanagan which Lyttle fetched and kicked into Clarke to fire a left footed drive home, the move of the game. Michael Flanagan stood out for his brilliant defensive performance but it was a great team effort. Final score Aughlisnafin 5-16 Drumaness 2-10.
Aughlisnafin : A Flanagan, P O’Hare, M Quinn, R Walsh, M Flanagan, E Lyttle (0-2), M Croskery (0-7, 4 ’25s), C King (1-3), C Matthews (1-2), R Clarke (1-1), D McKibbin Subs: C Donnelly (2-1, 1f), D Burns, D Murphy, C Steen, O Maguire, N King
Next match for the U12’s is away to Carryduff B next Sunday. Commiserations to U12’s players Morgan, Conall, Michael, Oisin and Odhran who were part of the St Mary’s Aughlisnafin squad that lost in the final of the Cumann na Bunscol on Saturday morning against St Malachys Kilcoo.
The club hosted the Year 6 Go Games Blitz on Saturday in Annsborough. The ‘Fin played very well in warm conditions in games against Kilcoo, Dundrum and Bryansford. It was great to see the U8s players Joseph Steen and Lucy Matthews in fine scoring form, with both getting brilliant goals. With the games against the Fin conditioned that a goal was one point, over the bar was three points and fisted over the bar was four points it was brilliant to see the players from all the teams taking their scores with presence of mind and confidence.
The seniors winning run came to an end after then came up against a slick Bright outfit who already look to be playing at championship pace. Bright led by 1-13 to 0-2 at half time and went on to outscore the ‘Fin 3-3 to 0-6 in the second half to win 4-16 to 0-8. Having to play the last fifteen minutes with 14 men didn’t help the Fin’s cause. Next up is Ballykinlar at home this Friday at 7.30 pm.
The U16’s are away to Carryduff B this Thursday at 7.30 pm.
Training Tuesdays for u10’s & u8’s, Thursdays for u14’s & u12’s and Saturdays for U6’s.
The club will be hosting a Garth Brooks and Friends in Low Places Theme Night on Friday 4th July at Mulhollands Bar. Music by DJ ‘B’ and there will be a bar-b-que, line dancing and mighty craic. Two tickets for the Garth Brooks in Croke Park will also be raffled, £5 per ticket. Raffle ticket admits free in to the theme night. Prize for the best Garth Brook lookalike, best turned out etc.
In advance of the theme night and as a social initiative the club will host beginners line dancing classes every Tuesday at 8 pm in the Fin Hall. Everyone welcome.
49 Club winner was Tommy Byrne (15).
Lotto 3, 5, 7, 15. Isobel Campbell matched three numbers and won £50. Jackpot £7,750
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