In the opening league fixture of the season Carrryduff Under 14 ladies made an impressive start against Bryansford.

The weather conditions were perfect for football and the girls did not let the travelling support down.

Carryduff started well, with Fiona McCauley converting an excellent point in the early minutes following an excellent fast flowing attack. Hannah Magorrian scored another point shortly afterwards with a fine solo run from the mid field. Carryduff kept the pressure on and wave after wave of attack saw Carryduff extend their lead with a superb goal from Emma Hannah and points from Fiona McCauley and Ciara Crosbie.

Not to be discouraged, the Bryansford girls pressed on and their efforts were rewarded with a point. They continued to stretch Carryduff but were thwarted by a resilient defence and superb goal keeping by Katie McCann. Full backs Maeve Toner (playing her first competitive game since her injury early last season) Ciara Doherty and Meghan Doherty plus half forwards Niamh Lenaghan, Aoife O’Reilly (Team Captain) and Emma Boyle performances were very encouraging, frustrating and disrupting the Bryansford attacks.

Carryduff responded well, Orla Mckay playing in an unfamiliar position as left half forward and allegedly overheard saying “Why am I playing here?” scored a brilliant goal. The ball was worked well out of defence to Orla and she finished the move like a veteran forward.

Niamh McGrath was unlucky not to covert two efforts while Emily Duffy was also very unlucky, not only to covert a certain goal which was stopped by a bruising tackle but also from the subsequent penalty. Emily struck the ball very well but the keeper made a superb save. Emily had to retire from the game injured. As the second half came to a close Emma Hanna finished the half with another goal.

At the start of the second period, Carryduff made changes but continued in the same vein. Substitute Aoife Turner made an early impression scoring a point. Soon after, Niamh Molloy was rewarded for all her hard work and effort with an excellent 25 metre strike over the bar to open her account for the season. Ciara Crosbie added to her tally with a superb solo effort which began in the mid field. She ran through the defence and converted a point.

To Bryansford’s credit they did not yield, they battled on and were rewarded with a point and a goal. This temporary set back did not deter Carryduff, Orla Mckay and Fiona McCauley scored a point each. Fiona went on to score a goal and converted another point from a free kick awarded following a foul Hannah Magorrian.

All the substitutes played very well with notable performances from Clare Lavery, Meghan Murtagh, Angelica Kelly, Fiona Rodgers, Emily Hewitt and Meghan Connery

Ciara Crosbie’s work rate was phenomenal throughout the game, it seemed she was everywhere making her presence felt in defence, midfield and forward lines.

Special thanks to the travelling support.

Full Time Score

Ath Bhriain 1-02 Ceathrú Aodha Dhuibh 4-10

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Carryduff Scorers

Fiona McCauley 1-04

Hannah Magorrian 0-01

Ciara Crosbie 0-02

Emma Hanna 2-00

Orla McKay 1-01

Niamh Molly 0-01

Aoife Turner 0-01

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Carryduff Reserves get no breaks against a more determined Tullylish

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Carryduff Reserves travelled to Tullylish on Sunday 1st April but failed to secure any points from the game. Tullylish proved to be determined and stuck to their task well. In particular they dominated the middle of the park and crowded the Carryduff defence in the first half. Carryduff started promisingly and despite playing against the wind had the first two scores from play. Richard Carey pointed after a directed pass from Chris McConville, which opened up the Tullylish defence. Chris McConville followed this up with a point of his own, struck with the left boot under pressure after 9 minutes of play. The next 7 minutes were dominated by Tullylish with 5 points without reply, 2 from 45 metre frees. Carryduff responded with a point from play from Conal Doherty on 17 minutes which was to be Carryduff’s last before the break. Ciaran Conway was dragged down in the box but unfortunately was unable to capitalise from the resultant penalty kick. Tullylish appeared to have all the luck and followed up with two further points. As if to rub salt on the wounds, a speculative lob into the danger area resulted in a goal at the crucial time, to leave the half-time score 1-07 to 0-3.

Carryduff came out in the second with the wind in their backs and what seemed a renewed vigour. Conal Doherty and Sean Molloy reduced the deficit to 5 points in the first minute of play with two well taken points from play. However Tullylish were to take the wind from their sails within 3 minutes. A driven ball which barely rose from the ground was saved by Jason Scott. Unfortunately Jason spilled the ball and Tullylish were first to pounce and hit the back of the net. Carryduff pointed again from play through Chris McConville, but on 11 minutes Tullylish pointed what was to be their last score of the game to leave the margin 8 points. However Carryduff were unable to raise their game sufficiently and were indeed wasteful in front of goals with a total of 8 wides in the second half. On the day goals were needed they appeared to be elusive. Three further points was all that could be mustered on a warm day at Tullylish to reduce the deficit to 5 points.

Full Time Score

Tulach Lis 2-08 Ceathrú Aodha Dhuibh 0-09

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The Carryduff Team was

Cormac McCrory

Plunkett Kelly Michael Graham Paddy Craig

Darren Price Gareth Diamond Ruairi McKay

Richard Carey Ben Fitzsimons

Chris McConville Conal Doherty Tony McMahon

Sean Molloy Ciaran Conway Ronan McLaughlin

Fir Ionaid

Jason Scott for Cormac McCrory

Phil Davey for Paddy Craig

Chris O’Neill for Ciaran Conway

Kevin McGoran for Ronan Mclaughlin

James Connery for Tony McMahon

Conor Brennan for Conal Doherty

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Senior Squad Notice

The Senior Team have a very encouraging 1-08 to 0-8 win over Lámh Dhearg on Thursday night. It proved to be a very useful challenge match in preparation for the forthcoming season.

Carryduff had the upper hand in the first half and led at half-time by 0-04 to 0-02. In the second half Lámh Dhearg staged a creditable comeback to take the lead by one point with 16 minutes gone.

However Carryduff showed their metal and rallied again. Points from second half subs Chris McConville (0-02) and Tony McMahon (0-01) and an Aidan McGirr goal helped Carryduff to a 1-08 to 0-8 win.

Thanks to Lámh Dhearg for hosting a very sporting, hard hitting and fair contest. A reverse challenge match will be arranged at Carryduff in the next few weeks.

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Minor Notice

All players are required to attend a Minor training session on Wednesday 3rd April. Please be on the pitch at 6.30pm. It is proposed that a number of training sessions will take place during the Easter holidays and arrangements for this will be discussed on Wednesday night.

A copy of the forthcoming league fixtures will also be distributed on Wednesday night. If for any reason you cannot atttend please contact Eamon Quinn or Kieron Moore.

The minor team played a challenge game against Patrick Sarsfelds Belfast on Saturday. Unfortunately the Carryduff team were without Cian Slevin and Stephen Quinn. Both players are recovering from injury at the moment.

Despite losing to a well drilled and fast moving side the Carryduff team showed immense character to wittle down a large first half lead held by the visitors. Many thanks to the Sarsfield club for a game played in a truly sporting manner. The game highlighted areas of improvement that Carryduff can now work on.

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U8 Boys Football Coaching

U8 Boys Football coaching commences on Thursday 5th April from 6.15-7.30pm at Lough Moss.

Boys born between 1999 and 2002 are welcome.

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U10 & U9 Boys Coaching

U10 & U9 Boys coaching moves to Wednesdays (6.15-7.30pm) commencing on April 4th at Lough Moss.

Boys born in 1997 and 1998 are welcome to attend.

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u16s Ladies Lose To Saval In League Opener

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On Sunday the u-16 ladies played their first competitive fixture of the season with an away fixture against Saval. Played in ideal conditions on Saval’s new pitch the Carryduff ladies were the first to open the scoring with Bronagh Kerr taking a point.

Both teams traded scores with Lee Ann Murray getting a goal and Niamh Molloy another point. Maeve Magennis was having a good game as were the other backs in particular Julie Coulter, Hannah Magorrian, Ciara Rooney and Ciara Doherty. Niamh McElkerney was well in contention until a nasty knee injury forced her off.

In the middle Kate McKay was having an outstanding game and was well supported by Emma Magorrian. Up front Alannah Connery, Lee Ann Murray and Bronagh Kerr all battled hard. The u-14 trio Ciara Crosbie, Niamh Molloy and Aoife O’Reilly gave their more experienced opposition lots of headaches. At the end of this half Saval got two goals while Carryduff were unlucky when a well worked move came back off the upright.

Half time score Sabhall 3-03 Ceathrú Aodha Dhuibh 1-03

The Carryduff ladies held their own until halfway through this half but from there on in the more physical Saval side started to dominate. Kate McKay, Maeve Magennis and the Magorrian sisters all battled to the end while Goalie Katie McCann pulled off good saves on numerous occasions.

Subs Megan Doherty, Emma Hannah (0-01) Alison Hoey, Gemma Austin and Jenna McConville all tried hard but found the going tough against the stronger opposition.

Full Time Score

Sabhall 6-07 Ceathrú Aodha Dhuibh 1-04

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This week's winning numbers

1, 13, 15, 23

There were no winners of the Jackpot.

Congratulations to the Match 3 number winners who each won £83

Mr P Brownlee

Mr P Bradley