This week’s activities include: 

Tuesday (21^st): U14 Camogie An Riocht v Bredagh; U16 Camogie An Riocht v Atticall.

Wednesday (22^nd): U18 football An Riocht v Rostrevor.

Thursday (23^rd): U14 football Championship An Riocht v Annaclone; Junior Camogie Warrenpoint v An Riocht.

Friday (24^th): Senior football An Riocht v Burren.

Saturday (25^th): U12 Camogie Championship Day in Clonduff.

Sunday (26^th): U12 football An Riocht v Drumgath; Thirds Football An Riocht v Drumgath; Seconds football Mayobridge v An Riocht.

Monday (27^th): U14 football An Riocht v Tullylish; SELB 'minor games'; Sponsored Walk.

Tuesday(28^th):   U16 football An Riocht v Glasdrumman; possible U14 Camogie Away v Clonduff or Darragh Cross; U16 Camogie Clonduff v An Riocht.

Wednesday (29^th): U18 football Burren v An Riocht; SELB Presentation Night.

Thursday (30^th): Senior football Liatroim v An Riocht

 

Match Reports

U16 Football An Riocht v Clonduff

This meeting of the top two in the league was a cracking affair and closer than our winning margin of 3:11 to 1:5 suggests. Though Christopher Killen opened the scoring with a point we were rocked when Clonduff goaled in their first attack. However both defences were on top and further scores were hard to come by. Christopher Cunningham, Conor Phillips and Gerard Keenan were particularly strong in our full back line. Another Killen free and a fine point from Darren Doyle on the turn after a high catch levelled the match in the eighteenth minute. The visitors went back in front but then our first goal arrived. Conor Doyle placed Shane White and he played the ball ahead off Diarmuid Flanagan who ran onto it and cut along the end line before lashing a fierce shot to the roof of the net. Pressing our advantage Paddy Gartland foraged around the mid field, gathered possession and fed Killen who pointed from distance, then sub Rory Cunningham added another off a Darren White pass as we threatened to put the game beyond Clonduff. But the visitors were far from finished and opened us up in the closing moments only to be denied a goal by a match winning save from Ethan Burns at the expense of a point. At half time our lead was 1:5 to 1:2.

We enjoyed a great restart. Kyle Morris and Wayne Bowater added points, Clonduff replied with a free. Then Ethan made another important save and began a move that led to Killens fourth point. Still only six minutes into the half and Diarmuid Flanagans cross was met at the near post by Rory Cunningham who flicked the ball past the keeper to the net. Clonduff registered another free while Flanagan pointed from way out near the corner flag. In the forty fourth minute Clonduff were awarded a penalty which Burns saved and two minutes later Doyle and Killen combined to relieve the pressure with Flanagan bursting through the middle to goal and put us ten clear, 3:9 to 1:5. Then disaster struck as Christopher Killen limped out off the match with ten minutes remaining. A huge harrying effort denied Clonduff time on the ball to exploit our loss with Michael Spiers, David Sloan, Conor Cole and Mark McKay especially busy and on the break Rory Cunningham and Kyle Morris added points apiece for a handsome victory.

U12 Camogie Kilcoo v An Riocht

An Riocht remained unbeaten after an impressive seven nil win at Kilcoo on Tuesday. Beat on this occasion were Michelle O'Neill and Lauren Gaffney. Team: Danielle Higgins, C Harper, Carrie Killen, Michelle O'Neill, Susie Reilly, Lauren Gaffney (1), Nicole Kelly, Sarah Carvil, Crystal McLoughlin, Clare Connor, Noelle Fearon (5), Laura Carvil. Subs Orla McAlinden (1), Stacy Fox, Beth Colgan, Shannon Morgan, Aine Fearon.

U18 Football Downpatrick v An Riocht

An Riocht are through to the Championship Quarter-finals after this facile victory at Pairc Tomas Ruiseil, 5:13 to 1:6. Playing with only brief injections of urgency An Riocht led from the first ball to the last, Martin Clarke converting an opening minute free and Paddy Cordell hammering home a sixtieth minute goal. Martin added a goal direct from a free as An Riocht scored at will. Darren Cunningham and Martin added points before Martin placed James Colgan for a cracking goal. Declan Ross was unlucky when he lobbed the keeper but Pearse Cunningham retrieved the ball and pointed for ten nil. Some twenty minutes in the home side opened their account direct from a fifty but in an immediate response the ball swept the length of the field and Martin taking a perfectly weighed pass on the run fired home his second goal. James Cunningham added a point and when his next effort was blocked Martin gathered the ball to stroke over another score. A late exchange of frees left the half time score 3:7 to 0:2.

The game was only just restarted when Conor Sloan touched on Pearse's cross and Declan Ross buried the fourth goal. Noel McArdle came on to score probably the best two points of the night though Fergal Doyle's effort from way out on the sideline and Gareth Small's long range shot rivalled that accolade. Martin sent over a fifty as by the fiftieth minute we led 4:12 to 0:3. With our full quota of changes made, Hoops came more into it in the closing stages and were rewarded for their perseverance by a goal and three points though the final action was in their half as James Cunningham claimed a second point and Paddy ended it all with a screamer of a goal.

Not a lot was learnt on Wednesday. Our passing was loose at times, especially coming out of defence. The backs and midfield were not tested and the forwards could afford to be wasteful such was the quantity of possession. A feature of the match was the high fielding of Martin Clarke who time and again soared above everyone else to fetch the ball. Tonight (Wednesday) match with Rostrevor will be an altogether different proposition with the winner likely though not certain to take the league title.

U14 Football An Riocht v Ballymartin

This was another good team display. The backs marked tight and used the ball well especially Daryl Bowater and Stephen McVeigh. Diarmuid Flanagan and Stephen Corr were strong at mid field and Ethan Burns at full forward finished with 3:7. Michael Spiers caught the eye with five long range points and all the subs got a run. These boys have two big games coming up this week. On Thursday Annaclone visit in the championship and on Monday we play unbeaten Tullylish in what is also our ‘sponsored’ match.

Thirds Football Bosco v An Riocht

The Thirds progressed to the quarter finals with a hard fought win at Jack Mackin Park. Both midfielders and all six forwards scored though at times made hard work of it.  Bosco began the better with Laurence McAlinden pointing a couple of frees before Thomas Sloan off the outside of his boot got us up and running. Martin McComiskey made it two and Seamus Sloan levelled before Wayne Morris volleyed in a lead goal after fifteen minutes. Bosco hit back through Robbie McLoughlin and Marty McStay before Brian Annet and Seamus replied but a goal from McLoughlin left the home side 1:6 to 1:5 ahead at the break.

Bosco extended their lead with another McAlinden free before four in a row put us back in front. Brian converted a free, Thomas scored his second and Fergal Doyle and Ronan Cunningham added points apiece. Back came Bosco to level again at 1:9 each, then Paddy Cunningham and McAlinden exchanged scores before sub Ruairi Doran came in on the end of a Jim Sloan run to goal with five minutes remaining. Bosco fired everything at us but Ciaran Cunningham and Dave Morgan got in important tackles and Neill Cousins threw himself on the loose ball as they almost sneaked a late goal. Team: N Cousins B Maginn C Cunningham P Cousins M Quinn J Sloan R McCartan F Doyle S Sloan B Annett P Cunningham R Cunningham T Sloan M McComiskey W Morris. Subs B Graham R Doran D Morgan M Murney M Small E Binks D Magorrian N Curran.

Senior Football Mayobridge v An Riocht

The seniors recorded their first win of the season at this most difficult of venues on Thursday night. Fielding minus just the County seniors this was the strongest line up An Riocht put out this season and buoyed by an early Martin Clarke goal the team performed with increased confidence. Martins second goal before the break put us in a commanding position and in the second half we added some good points for a 2:13 to 0:5 success.

Junior Camogie Kilcoo v An Riocht

This game was postponed as Kilcoo were double booked.

U12 Camogie An Riocht v Clonduff 'A'

The teams second game of the week resulted in a defeat that sees them finish the league as runners up behind Clonduff. During an even enough first half Clonduff took their chances to lead at the break three nil and went on to score again for a clear and convincing victory despite some great hearted play by our girls.

U12 Football Mitchels v An Riocht

After a lengthy break the U12 football league resumed with a trip to Newry Mitchels.

Seconds Football An Riocht v Kilcoo

In a rearranged match An Riocht won on a 2:5 to 0:9 score line. This was a tough affair with two goal Paddy Cole our hero. Kilcoo had gone into a three nil lead when Paddy stuck away his first and at the break the teams were all square 1:3 to 0:6. The second goal followed a quick build up involving Stephen Annett and Damian Sherry and was finished in style by Paddy. Neill Doran added a couple of frees and Kilcoo were left chasing the result. Brian Sloan, Michael Rodgers and Aidan O’Hanlon defended solidly to keep them out. Team G Finnegan, S McArdle, B Sloan, M Rodgers, M Trainor, A O’Hanlon, R Cunningham, M Harper 0:1, P Small 0:1, S Annett, K Flanagan, N Doran 0:2, M Taylor, P Cole 2:1, D Cunningham. Subs J McBurney, D Sherry.

Thirds Football Burren v An Riocht

The Thirds failed to muster fifteen for this league match and so lost by default.

U10 Football An Riocht v Ballymartin

Only played on Monday evening a report will be carried next week.

Sponsored Walk

Kingdom Sponsored Walk at Dunavil 7pm on Monday 27^th June. Cards available through teams or from the office. Support ‘your’ Club with a sponsored card.

Computer suite

KYC computer room is filled to overflowing with the arrival of eight reconditioned units direct from the Boys & Girls Clubs. I.T. will play an increasing role in KYC summer and winter programmes.

Sceim na nGael Og

Any junior member of An Riocht / KYC going to the Gaeltacht this summer can apply for financial assistance from Coiste na Gaeilge. Also any adults interested in conversational Irish, craic and enjoyment can apply for a place on the Ulster Council Irish Language Course at Downings in Donegal. Time is short so contact the Club if interested in either of the above.

KYC

Kingdom Youth Club were represented at the handing over of a cheque to the Kilkeel Lifeboat on behalf of Kilkeel Youth Providers Forum. The money was raised at a table quiz organised by the members of the various youth clubs in the Mourne area.

Down Minors

Good Luck to our seven players in action with Down minor camogie and football teams next weekend.

Summer Scheme

Kingdom Youth Club Summer Scheme details are almost ready for publication. Sheila the Leader-in-charge would welcome offers of assistance to help the Qualified Leaders deliver the Summer Scheme. Ideal opportunity for those seeking experience in Youth & Community work. ‘Volunteer Application’ forms to be completed. Phone 41763681 or call into Dunavil any evening 7pm to 10pm.

Mourne Hurling

Mourne 7:5 Ballyvarley 0:5

The Mourne hurlers go from strength to strength with increased attendances and consistent results. Mark Doran made three excellent saves in goals with Christopher Mathews, Daniel Rooney and Darren Doyle very strong in defence and Conor Morgan, Conor O’Hare and Mark Cunningham scoring at will in attack.

Team: Mark Doran, Daniel Rooney, Daniel Marks, Christopher Mathews, Claire Doran, Darren Doyle 2:0, Shauna Sloan, Michael White, Michelle Horner, Rose Sloan, Mark Cunningham 0:2, Paddy Gartland 0:1, Adam White 1:0, Conor Morgan 2:0, Conor O’Hare 2:1. Subs Nathan McComiskey, Stephen McDowell, Sean O’Connell, Claire McBurney, Christina Trainor 0:1, Rory Gilroy. Practice at the Convent Ground 2pm on Saturdays and remaining fixtures are Wednesday 22^nd June Away v Castlewellan; Wednesday 29^th June Home v Shamrocks.