Aughlisnafin U-12’s maintained their position at the top of East Down Division 3 with two wins in five days writes Geároid Ó Lionnacháin.
Last Tuesday evening they were away to Kilclief and defeated them 4-8 to 4-4. The team and scorers were A Flanagan, M Croskery, A Lenaghan, C Steen, C Matthews, R King, S Croskery (2-2, 1 ’25), M Flanagan (0-1), C Donnelly (1-0), C King (1-3), R Clarke (0-2) Subs : N Sexton, A Quinn, N King. An impressive club debut for ten year old Conor Donnelly.
On Sunday morning the U-12’s recorded a comfortable 11-7 to 0-4 win over neighbours Dundrum. Good performances all over the pitch with Adam Lenaghan, Conor Matthews, Marc Quinn, Conor Steen and Aaran Flanagan keeping the defence very tight. Morgan Croskery and Ruari King impressed in midfield and with all the forwards getting on the scoresheet it is testament to good teamwork and sharing the responsibilities. Shea Croskery did well in nets and when called on he was quick and confident with his distribution. The team (13 aside) and scorers were S Croskery (1-0), A Flanagan, A Lenaghan, C Steen, C Matthews, M Quinn, M Croskery (2-0), R King, M Flanagan (0-1), C Donnelly (2-0), C Murphy (3-3), C King (3-2), J Keenan (0-1) Sub : A Quinn. Next match is away to fellow table toppers Teconnaught next Sunday.
The U-14’s lost away to Bright last Monday evening. Next up is Dromara at home tomorrow(Monday) evening followed by another home game next Monday 20 May against St Joseph’s.
The U-16’s match against Tullylish on Saturday was postponed. Naomh Seosamh will play St Johns’ this Thursday evening in Dundrum at 7.30 pm.
The U-10s took part in the Go Games hosted by Bryansford. It was disappointing that despite 13 players confirmed only 8 appeared. It is important that these Games are supported as they are only held fortnightly and so missing essentially means a player goes 4 weeks without a match. The Fin held their own against Bryansford, Saul and Bredagh. The next Go Games will be Saturday 25 May.
The seniors missed an opportunity to pick up their second win of the season and if truth be told were lucky to come away with a point with a dis-jointed display against St Paul’s in a game which was switched to St Johns with Annsboro pitch deemed unplayable.
In the first half points from Breannain McComiskey (2) , James Brannigan, Ciaran Rice and Sean Willoughby were negated by the visitors scoring 1-2 over the same period of play. Towards the end of the first half in what was possibly the best move of the game involving McComiskey, Brannigan, Doran and Willoughby working the ball forward with McComiskey involved a second time running in on goal with just the keeper to beat but going for the 100 % option and slipping the ball to Rory Murphy to palm into the net. But moments later a defensive error led to a penalty being conceded which the saints sent to the net to level proceedings at the short whistle. Half time score Aughlisnafin 1-5 St Paul’s 2-2
In the second half Chris Doran sent over to put the Fin in front and it was point for point the rest of the game with Rice grabbing his second of the game, McComiskey tagging on another two, including a superb free, and substitute Gerald Travers completing the Fin tally but all five points were negated by St Pauls with their last to draw the game before the whistle blew for full time. The ‘Fin also lost vice captain Ciaran Rice to a straight red so all things considered a point in the end was fortunate. Good performances from McComiskey and Brannigan in midfield, with Doran the pick of the forward six and Flanagan the pick of the back six. Final score Aughlisnafin 1-10 St Paul’s 2-7.
Aughlisnafin : M McClean, M Malone, F Boden, C McCabe, A Quinn, S Fitzsimmons, Patrick Flanagan, B McComiskey (0-4, 1f), J Brannigan (0-1), R Murphy (1-0), C Rice (0-2), C Doran (0-1), B Quinn, S Willoughby (0-1), E McGlue Subs : Gerald Travers (0-1), N Lennon, B McDonald. Next game is away to St Michael’s who sit just above Aughlisnafin in the league table a point ahead.
Aughlisnafin Ladies suffered a reversal away to Bright last Tuesday evening. It was the proverbial game of two halves with Bright dominating the first half hour and the Fin get the better of the second half hour. Excellent performances from Leonita Magennis in defence, Laura Lambe and Rachel Quinn in midfield and in the forward line Cliona McComiskey and Tara Flanagan impressed with Tara getting the goal on her return from injury. Final score Bright 9-10 Aughlisnafin 1-10. Next match is at home to Loughinisland on Tuesday at 7.15 pm.
Meanwhile off the field the club’s play “Say Cheese” was a great success. It ran for three nights last weekend. We thank everyone who came out to support us. The play got some great reviews and was generally very well received. This is testament to the hard work of all our actors and actresses who have put so much time into perfecting their roles. Martin Malone was spoke of as a young Robert De Niro, while Barry McDonald’s many nights drinking Fosters to perfect his Aussie twang paid off. And Sean Willoughby is still climbing the rope up the outside of the Burrendale. And speaking of Burrendale many thanks to them for all their support especially for providing many of the props used. And as Mr Bradshaw says “Powerful stuff”!
Francis Boden (3) was the 49 club winner.
Lotto 7, 16, 20, 26. James Marmion matched 3 numbers and won £50. Jackpot is now £4,900.
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