Aughlisnafin seniors and ladies both won their matches in the past week but the U-14’s were defeated by Teconnaught writes Geároid Ó Lionnacháin.
The seniors were at home to Bright on Friday evening and completed the double over them this season, this time winning by five points. It was nip and tuck in the first half with the Fin leading by just the minimum at half time 0-5 to 0-4. A strong second half performance saw the Fin put in a dominant display and extend their lead to eight points at one stage before a late rally by Bright cut the deficit to five. Final score Aughlisnafin 0-15 Bright 0-10.
Standouts for the Fin were Maurice McClean in nets who made three superb saves, half forward Ciaran Rice scored 0-5 (0-3 from play) and Donagh Steele tallied 0-4 from play. James Brannigan 0-2, Niall Duffy 0-2, Sean Willoughby 0-1 and Breannain McComiskey 0-1 got the other scores in a fine win which lifts the Fin above Bright in the league table and into ninth place.
The next match for the seniors is against Kilcoo Thirds in the Connolly Cup on Monday evening at 7.30 pm in Ballykinlar. Originally the Fin were drawn to play Ardglass but they were unable to play.
Aughlisnafin Ladies played Killyleagh in the second round robin game on the JFC on Saturdayevening in Annsborough. After losing to Bright last week this was a must win game for the ladies to remain in the championship. With some players unavailable Jolene Flanagan started at midfield alongside Laura Lambe with Jody Rice lining out at corner forward.
Jolene and Laura dominated the midfield sector and with quality ball worked into Nuala O’Hare at full forward she got the lions share of the scores in the first half. Killyleagh battled gamely but the Fin defence gave no quarter.
At half time the Fin lead 3-8 to no score. Amanda Maginn replaced Nuala O’Hare in the second half and the Fin picked up where they left off adding a further 4-12 to their first half return. Killyleagh found scores hard to come by such was the strength and determination of the Fin defence with Niamh Flanagan, Aoife McClean and Rachel Quinn quick to thwart Killyleagh attacks. U14’s player Roisin McComiskey was also introduced to help see out a comfortable win. Final score Aughlisnafin 7-20 Killyleagh 0-1.
Aughlisnafin : Jane McAleenan, Leonitia Magennis, Corinne Flanagan, Aine McClean, Niamh Flanagan, Aoife McClean, Rachel Quinn, Jolene Flanagan, Laura Lambe, Claire McShane, Nuala McAlinden, Sileen McDonald, Nuala O’Hare, Cliona McComiskey, Jodie Rice, Subs : Amanda Maginn, Roisin McComiskey
The Ladies would like to extend their congratulations to team member Jolene Flanagan who got engaged on Saturday and still managed to play half a match before heading to Belfast to celebrate!
The U-14’s were at home to Teconnaught last Monday evening. It was a close first half with the visitors leading 1-6 to 0-7 but despite the best efforts of a young Fin team Teconnaught emerged victors 3-24 to 1-14. Under management instructions the Fin lads were encouraged to shoot from distance rather than run the ball in for goals and it was pleasing to see some excellent scores particularly from Eoin Lundy (0-8) and Oran Flanagan (0-4) who both accounted for twelve of the fourteen points return.
The other two points a free from Eoin Travers won by Adam Lenaghan and Ben King from close range. Ten year old Morgan Croskery who normally lines out in nets or full back for the U12’s enjoyed a full game at full forward and was rewarded with a fine goal. Aughlisnafin finished in the bottom half of the table and will now play against the other six teams in a similar position in a graded Division 3 league. The U14C Championship will also commence at the end of July.
Training for all underage teams has ceased for the holiday period. Training for the U12’s and below will resumeThursday 25th July. The U-16’s and U-14’s training will resume Thursday 18 July.
Seven years have passed now since Cormac Mc Anallen passed away. Many described Cormac as a Giant of a man and Campa Chormaic was organised in memory of him and that his memory would be kept alive and the ideals close to his heart would be promoted – Love for his Country, love for his Language and Love for Irish heritage and Gaelic Games.
Campa Chormaic is a summer camp that is aimed at young people between 9 and 14 years old. It consists of Irish Language classes in the morning and Gaelic Games coaching sessions in the afternoon. There are at present four camps, one located in Eglish (Tyrone), Ballinascreen (Derry), Belfast (Antrim) and at St Malachy’s High School, Castlewellan. The club will have no less than eleven underage players attending the camp at St Malachy’s this coming week.
All but three are members of the U-14’s squad and all but two are students at the school, three of whom attend the Irish Medium Ardscoil Naomh Maolmhaodhóg. Two others are pupils of Bunscoil Bheanna Boirche. Good luck to Seán, Ben, Oran, Eoin, Faelán, Adam, Cathal, Ruari, Aaran, Conor and Donncha. Good to see the Irish language is alive and well in the parish of Kilmegan.
Also, good luck to our two U-12’s players, Ruari King and Cathal Murphy, who will attend the Activities Day in Croke Park this week. They will join a growing list of Aughlisnafin players who have played on the hallowed turf.
The Quinn Grandchildren (44) were the 49 Club winners this week.
Lotto 11, 22, 24, 28. Aaron Ruddy was the £20 draw winner. Jackpot £5,300.
