Saturday 5th November – Downpatrick Youth Football League Under-15’s
Kilmore Rec 0 Downpatrick FC 10
A chilly Arctic breeze greeted the boys at the Kilmore playing fields on Saturday morning with the team numbers depleted due to injury and a suspension. The boys went into this match with no preconceptions knowing that despite the substantial win over Kilmore earlier in the season. They were dangerous on the break and discipline had to be maintained from start to finish.
From the off, Downpatrick attacked with vigour and it was obvious the midfield would be the work horses in setting up plays and passes. After 6 minutes, Collie Jones passed to Luke Shields who slotted in his first of the game. Shortly after, deft passing by midfielders Ethan Breen, Jack Fitzsimons, Collie Jones and Rian McShane led to a pass from Shields to Ethan Artt, who turned on the spot and banged in Downpatrick’s second.
On 10 minutes, Fitzsimons trade mark dribble before passing to Shields for the third goal. Counter attacks by Kilmore broke down, couldn’t get past the defensive wall of Conail Gardner, Liam Toner, Ruairi Murphy and Naoise O’Hagan, or were swept up by Matthew Killen who commanded the Downpatrick goal. Half Time: Kilmore Rec 0 v Downpatrick FC 3
The restart brought in substitute Ciaran Glennon, who got stuck in from start and on 33 minutes ran down the left flank to score Downpatrick’s fourth. This was to be the play that opened the floodgates with Kilmore unable to defend Downpatrick’s continuous attacking and what would prove Luke Shield’s day with a bag of goals!
Shields hat-trick came on 36 minutes with shortly after, central defender Conail Gardner running the length of the pitch and slotting in the next on 45 minutes. Shields was wasn’t done, with his 4th and 5th coming within two minutes of each other, with neat passing from Breen and Artt. Kilmore unfortunately despite their best efforts couldn’t deal with this onslaught and Artt got his second before Shields completed the rout with his 6th completing a fantastic performance by him and all the boys.
Saturday 5th November – Lisburn Invitational Junior League Shield Semi-Final under 13’s
Downpatrick FC 3 Lisburn Ladies 2
Downpatrick advanced to the final of this years Under-13 league two shield final at Christmas after a hard fought victory against Lisburn Ladies. This final will be against are local neighbours and friends Tollymore.
Downpatrick opened the scoring through Peter Carberry. There was some great one touch football by the greens and saw the ball played to Carberry who was 25 yards out from the goal, he turns hits an unstoppable shot into top corner. Minutes later Downpatrick were caught to0 high up field, and a long ball over the top and a great finish from the Lisburn striker gave Eoin Dowd in the Downpatrick nets gave no chance. With both teams trying to play football but cancelling each other out the game went a bit scrappy. Downpatrick broke quickly and the ball was played across to John Mahoney at the edge of the box and made no mistake with a great finish.
In the second half both teams gave a good account of themselves, with plenty of good play, ten minutes into the half Downpatrick broke and the ball was played to Chris McElroy who controlled the ball and with a great finish put his side 3 – 1 up.
Downpatrick were in control at this stage before a mistake from a poor pass back gifted the Lisburn striker with the chance to pull a goal back and she made no mistake with a great finish. Sensing the opportunity to score an equaliser Lisburn piled on the pressure and started to hit long ball but Downpatrick were able to hold on for great win
Saturday 5th November – Lisburn Invitational Junior League Shield Quarter-Final under 16’s
Downpatrick FC 4 v Lurgan Town 1
Downpatrick progressed to the semi-final of this years Shield with an impressive performance against Lurgan Town.
From the start Downpatrick were intent on stamping their control on this cup match. Striker Corey McCoubrey capitalised on a poor clearance from the Lurgan Town keeper and he found the top corner of the net with a superb volley. Just before half time Lurgan were thrown a life-line when some sloppy defending from the Downpatrick defence allowed their striker to score against the run of play. Half Time: Downpatrick FC 1 Lurgan Town 1
In the second half Downpatrick set about regaining the lead in this cup tie and it wasn’t long before they got their noses back in front. Declan Looney drove down the right wing and cut inside and slotted the ball into the bottom right hand corner of the net.
Another surging run down the wing from Looney, who crossed for James Peacock to score his first goal for the club with a neat volley from the penalty spot. They say you wait for ages for a bus and two comes along in a minute, well that can be said for James Peacock who scored his second in a matter of minutes. This time Tom Smyth crossed from the right side of the box for Peacock to tap home at the back post.
