Following
on from their brilliant second half display
against Bryansford and their superb victory
over Downpatrick the under 14 team excelled
in every aspect against St.Johns to carve out
a worthy win.
Within seconds
of throw-in St.Johns were on the attack and
registered scores from play and punished the
Castlewellan defence for conceding easy frees.
Castlewellan soon settled and fought their way
back into the game, with determined play from
Brendan.McComiskey, Aidan.Dornan,Cathal Keown
& Rory Burns. An injury to Jonathan.White
introduced the popular Joe.O’Neill to
the fray, Joe quickly set about his task and
carried the attack to St.Johns and was the instigation
of the first half revival. Brilliant defensive
work by all six defenders and superb saves by
goalkeeper Michael Cunningham kept Castlewellan
in contention. When a forty metre free from
Joe O’Neill ended up in the St.Johns net
the Castlewellan comeback was well under way.
Half time Castlewellan 1-4 St.Johns 0-6
The second
half started at a hectic pace as both sides
fought to get on top. The defence of Conor Rea
, Aidan Caldwell, Stephen Connolly, Paddy Flannigan,
Conal Corrigan & Sean Dornan repelled the
St.Johns attack at every attempt and intelligent
passes out of defence to Niall McKibben and
the strong running Joe O’Neill opened
up the St.Johns defence. St.Johns continued
to battle and a missed penalty left them struggling
to match the determination of the Castlewellan
lads.
Simple direct play was the key to this victory
and these skills were ably demonstrated by all
and in particular forwards Michael Gilmore &
Michael Sweeney as possession gained was transferred
to a team mate in a better position.
