The U-20 Championship Semi-Finals

AC U-20A Championship Semi Final Bryansford 0-12 Mayobridge 3-08 Burren 3-14 An Riocht 0-07 AC U-20B Championship Semi Final Shamrocks 2-08 Clonduff 4-11 Downpatrick 1-04 Warrenpoint 2-13 Mayobridge Make Impressive Show Against Bryansford THERE was plenty of exciting action at the weekend as players eventually managed to don their kits play after a long break caused by the bad weather. In the Section A semifinal, Mayobridge proved too strong for the Ford at St Patrick’s Park in Newcastle with an impressive three goals performance. But Ford were holding their own through the first half, and it was only in the second period that they really began to dominate. Michael Murphy turned the game for Mayobridge with an impressive goal by beating the defenders and shooting from 21 yards. Sub Kevin Quinn, who returned from injury, was taken on to strengthen the midfield when Conlaith O’Hare was moved up to half back giving the team more punch. Certainly Mayobridge had their opportunities to score and missed a few. Bryansford started to claw their way back into the game but it was a more powerful Mayobridge side which won the day. Full back Cathal Killen was the Mayobridge Man of the Match having played a gutsy, committed game for his side. Kingdom Falls To Burren Burren went straight on the attack against An Riocht and only good pressure form Paddy Gartland and a great block by Michael Clarke keep Burren from gaining an early,opening score. Paul Allen and Declan Doyle worked together to set up Ronan McAlinden for the first score. After McAlinden’s score, Burren really took control of the game getting a point back almost straight away then they worked a fantastic goal. Donal O’Hare gave the full-back line all they could handle while David McEntee took advantage of An Riocht’s inability to pick up the runners by moving freely up and down the wings. They scored 3 more points and only the crossbar as well as brilliant goal keeping by Brendan Allen stopped them from getting another goal. An Riocht’s Captain Conor Cole scored a free but once again Burren were straight back into action scoring another and 3 more points then broke through on goal again only to be denied a goal by keeper Brendan Allen who was doing all he good to keep An Riocht in the game. Burren went in at the break leading 3-7 to 0-2, and An Riocht heads were down. The second half began with Burren adding another point to the score line then An Riocht began to show a bit of life with Declan Doyle soloing up the field resulting in a free which Conor Cole put over the bar. But then Burren scored their third goal of the game putting an end to any doubts as to who was going to win the game. The An Riocht team dropped their heads with the loss of star player Paul Allen due to injury not helping matters. Burren continued to put points on the board with An Riocht taking all the opportunities they had to do the same. It was quite a one-sided match in Burren’s favour, and although it ended  An Riocht’s U20 campaign, the An Riocht Management team of Peter Walsh and Jim Allen must be happy with the effort the boys put in despite the performance on the day. Shamrocks Beaten by Clonduff The two goal and three point margin was more than enough for a powerful Clonduff side to dispatch the Shamrocks. In a lively attacking game which was a credit to both sides, the Shamrocks toiled through both periods but held their own in the face of  the superior firepower of Clonduff who were in tune on the day. They made their opportunities count when it mattered. Warrenpoint Too Strong For RGU Warrenpoint were certainly fired up for the occasion and looked like a team on its way to collect a trophy. They were looking comfortable leading the RGU 4 points at the interval and after half-time the RGU had a few opportunities to pul back from frees but did not capitalise on these. Warrenpoint then got on top of their Downpatrick opponents with Ryan McAleenan opening the scoring with a goal with an excellent move between McAleenan and McGarry. Rising to the occasion, Warrenpoint added another 4 points to the scoreboard without a reply from the RGU. It was a very sporting match. However, a delay in playing the game because of the inclement weather certainly had an effect on the RGU squad.  The sharpness and fitness they had been portraying in the previous games was gone. The fact they only registered 5 scores in the whole game more or less told the tale of missed chances and a lacklustre performance.  But they are a young squad and most of them will be eligible for this age group next year when they will have another year’s experience behind them. Warrenpoint emerged worthy winners with a final score of 2-13 to 1-4. A Final  –  at Clonduff  – Mayobridge v Burren on Sunday 9th January,2011 at 2pm. B Final – at Mayobridge – Warrenpoint v  Clonduff on Friday 7th January, 2011, in Mayobridge at 7.30pm.]]>