The U-14’s exited the championship despite staging a second half rally against Castlewellan to outscore them 5-06 to 2-07 but it was the below par first half that cost them the win. For the second week in succession the ‘Fin were just able to field the regulation 13 aside.
Castlewellan were good value for their 5-08 to 0-04 lead at the interval. Some positional changes at half time and a good old fashioned kick up the proverbial backsides saw a different ‘Fin team emerge for the second half. Rhys Clarke scored 2-2 to add to his 0-2 first half return, Conor Matthews added 0-3 to his first half tally of 0-2 with Morgan Croskery, Aaron Flanagan and Owen O’Neill all hitting the net. O’Neill also tagged on a point.
In nets U-12’s player Odhran Maguire made some brilliant saves with fellow U12 players Marc and Anthony Quinn superb in the full back and full forward line respectively. Dylan McKibbin & Peter O’Hare put in a good shift defensively and in midfield Ethan Lyttle was the springboard for several attacks leading to scores. Michael Flanagan and James McCabe also working hard over the hour. Final score Castlewellan 7-15 Aughlisnafin 5-10.
Aughlisnafin (13-aside): O Maguire, M Quinn, M Croskery (1-00), D McKibbin, M Flanagan, P O’Hare, E Lyttle, C Matthews (0-05), R Clarke (2-04), O O’Neill (1-01), J McCabe, A Flanagan (1-00), A Quinn.
*The U-8.5’s were at the Neil Thompson Memorial Tournament hosted by Ballykinlar on Saturday morning. The ‘Fin were in a group with Teconnaught and St John’s, Antrim and played both teams twice. With superb performances they topped the group with three wins and a draw to progress to the semi final of the cup before losing out by just two scores to eventual tournament winners RGU.
In the first game the ‘Fin beat Teconnaught 0-6 to 0-4. Conor O’Hare scored an impressive 0-5 with Dillon Steele also on the mark. In the second game the ‘Fin defeated St John’s 3-5 to 0-0 in a great team effort. O’Hare (2) and Steele getting the goals with Brogan Clarke (0-2), Ryan Quinn (0-2) and O’Hare getting the points. Inhe the second game against Teconnaught it was as close as the first meeting with Teconnaught leading before a late goal and point from O’Hare drew the game. It finished Aughlisnafin 1-4(5) Teconnaught 0-5(5). In the final group game against St John’s again the ‘Fin made several positional changes as they won 0-3 to 0-1. Clarke (0-2) and O’Hare with the scores.
Having topped the group they progressed to the Cup competition along with other group winners Dundrum and RGU. Following a draw Dundrum received a ‘bye’ straight into the final while the ‘Fin had to win against RGU if they were to join them. Despite a terrific effort in which the ‘Fin scored 3-2 to RGU’s 0-7, unfortunately goals only counted as 1 point meaning RGU won the match 7-5. O’Hare, Quinn and debut boy David Brennan grabbed the goals with Quinn and O’Hare also firing over.
It was the best outing this season for this group of players who have shown marked improvement week on week. Today they scored 7-20 over five games with O’Hare scoring an impressive 4-11. Well done lads. Aughlisnafin: Dd Steen, Dl Steen (0-1), J Lenaghan, R Croskery, R Quinn (1-3), C O’Hare (4-11), D Steele (1-2), B Clarke (0-3), D Brennan (1-0).
*The U-12’s have found it tough going this season with a young team and despite missing five players they recorded a superb win away to Dundrum on Sunday morning. It was level at half time at six points apiece before the ‘Fin outscored the Duns 3-2 to 1-2 in the second half. Marc Quinn got two goals and Dualta Pickering the third. Excellent displays from Calum Lyttle & Corey McCann in defence and Marc Quinn & Conor Walsh in midfield . Final score Dundrum 1-08 Aughlisnafin 3-08. The U12’s are at home to Bredagh B this Sunday at 11 am for their penultimate league game.
Aughlisnafin (10 aside): Odhran Maguire, Corey McCann, Calum Lyttle, Connee Flanagan 0-1, Emma O’Hare, Marc Quinn 2-3, Conor Walsh 0-2, 0-1f, Dualta Pickering 1-1, Conor O’Hare 0-1, Marty og Flanagan.
*The U-16’s are in Teconnaught for their East Down ‘A’ championship semi final against Rosconnor Gaels at 7.30 pm.
*The Ladies meet Teconnaught in the semi final of the Junior Championship this Saturday.
*The club will send a squad of 10 to the Down Óg Sport 7-aside football blitz to be held at the Red High this Sunday with the winners representing Down at the Ulster Blitz on Saturday 3rd September. All players to be at the venue for 9.30 am with first games commencing 10.00 am.
*Lotto numbers for 14/08/16 were 8, 12, 15, 20. No winners. Numbers for 21/08/16 were 3, 6, 7, 27. No winners. Jackpot £2,000.
