Downpatrick U15s lift the siver at the Blanchflower stadium after four goal thriller
U15 Fourth Divisional Final,
Venue: Blanchflower Stadium, Saturday 30th December 2023,
Final Score: Downpatrick FC U15s 4 0 Crumlin United.
Downpatrick FC U15s rose to the occasion today to win the Fourth Divisional Cup Final beating opposition Crumlin United U15s decisively with an excellent game of football writes Jim Masson.
Crumlin Utd pressed early to get a goal ahead but the Downpatrick back line were absolutely solid and with keeper Nathan Kynds on form Crumlin faced a stiff task from the onset.
Before long Caoilffnhion Hanna was making excellent breaks up the left and providing top class crosses. Hanna showed his metal on a number off occasions and at one stage took on two defenders and squared up to the goal, his shot on target being well saved by Crumlin keeper Shea Wilkinson.
Downpatrick pressed ahead more once they settled in and there some beautiful football played by both teams. But the battle tipped towards Downpatrick.
From a free kick near the centre line then winning a corner, the nimble Hanna kicked the ball to the goalmouth where Adam Sharvin found it and knocked it in to open the scoring for Downpatrick.
A short time later Hanna took another corner from the left and his spot perfect shot to the head of Callum Cochrane saw the ball glancing professionally int the back post putting Downpatrick in the driving seat at 2 goals up.
SEE 21 images from the MATCH with the Downpatrick FC U15s
Downpatrick were stepping up the pressure and following this, Joe Rogan fired a volley at the Crumlin goal and as keeper Wilkinson pushed it out Hanna almost sneaked in and scored number three. Hanna was definitely on fire!
Captain Ben McCann then took an opportunistic shot from just over 30 yards to the left hand corner and it was just held again by Wilkinson.
Then finally, Eoin McMahon too forced a goal as he chased a ball in by keeper Wilkinson. The cross had bounced through his arms and McMahon was there to finish it off.
Downpatrick were looking at a solid three goal advantage, and at best, Crumlin were only managing occasional forays into the Downpatrick half.
Again winger Hanna crossed well to his team captain Ben McCann who passed to Jack Cunliffe waiting in the goal mouth but Wilkinson read it and managed to smother the ball before going another goal down.
Crumlin were also trying to claw their way into the Downpatrick half and Jay Bennett did make a terrific volley close in but keeper Nathan Hynds who was having a fairly easy game made a great save to deny Crumlin a goal.
At the other end before half time Jack Wallace made a sizzling volley but again Wilkinson saved the day for Crumlin with an equally great diving save.
Then Adam Sharvin hit another sizzler at the Crumlin goal but it just edged up over the bar.
At half-time, Downpatrick were 3 goals up, and had the luxury of saying they missed as many opportunities. They were certainly the classiest side and their discipline. individual skill sets and training showed through and they applied themselves to the task.
The second half began and before long, Connor Murphy had netted goal number 4. This made it very difficult for Crumlin to come back from. Downpatrick battled on staying motivated keeping Crumlin under pressure and away from their goal.
Blaney missed a goal opportunity due to a super save by keeper Wilkinson then just later, Jack Cunliffe had a clear chance after beating a defender and his shot bounced off the inside of the back post back out into play and was cleared promptly by the Crumlin defenders.
As the game was trundling to its inevitable conclusion, Daniel Wright, Crumlin Captain, lashed a shot at the Downpatrick goal from 40 yards but again Nathan Hynds was sharp and got the ball under control.
There was another opportunity for Downpatrick which arose when Cunliffe made and brilliant cross to the Crumlin goal area as Hanna and Fionn Fennell ran in but both missed getting a toe to the ball for an easy goal.
The whistle blew for full time and Downpatrick were the worthy champions in this good natured sporting clash against Crumlin United.
Mark McCann, Downpatrick U15 team manager said: “I’m delighted for the team. They have all worked hard to get here and deserve their success today.
“It was a sporting game and it’s just nice to be able to bring some good news back to Downpatrick.
“We had a full squad all fit and bursting to go. The management are just so proud of them all. Well done lads!”.
SEE 21 images from the MATCH with the Downpatrick FC U15s
Downpatrick FC: 1 Nathan Hynds GK 2 Fionn Fennell 3 Ben McCann (C) 4 Jack Wallace 5 Ciaran Shields 6 Jack Cunliffe 7 Caoilffnhion Hanna, 9 Callum Cochrane 10 Adam Sharvin 11 Eoin McMahon 14 Joe Rogan. Subs: 8 Jack Blaney 12 Donal McIlwaine 15 Darragh McAlinden 16 Conor Murphy 17 Eoin Keenan.
Crumlin United: Shea Wilkinson GH 2 Jamie Teer 3 Sean Brennan 4 Daniel Wright (C) 5 Daniel Finney 6 Jay Bennett 7 Darach Bannon 9 Cian Bell 10 Charlie McGrandles 11 Harry Magee 17 Ben Lavery. Subs: 12 Pearce Brown 14 Darragh Kerr 15 Roman M<ooney 16 Josh Airzee.
