Michael Conway

Juvenile hurling leagues continued this week with a number of games down for decision. In the Under 16 Ards league, Ballycran are living up to their favourites tag. After beating Portaferry last week, they had a convincing win over Ballygalget to retain top spot in the league.

In the other sections, Ballela retain the leadership of the South Down league following their victory Shamrocks. Ballela’s Michael Doyle hit 2-2 of his side’s scoreline and his performance combined with that of Gavin Cunningham, helped ensure a ten point win over the Newry side. Ballela will be pressed all the way in this section by a Warrenpoint side that played their first league game and had a comfortable win over Ballyvarley.  In East Down, Liatroim too played their debut match and in a hard fought encounter, the Fontenoys managed a two point win over Bredagh at Cherryvale. Kilclief bounced back from last weeks defeat at Bredagh overcoming visiting Carryduff who were playing their first match at this level. Despite sterling performances from Conall Early and Conor Beattie, the Carryduff boys succumbed to a stronger Kilclief side who had starring displays from midfielders Dean Fitzsimons and Chris Hogan.

This week also saw the Under 12s in action. Portaferry, Liatroim and Warrenpoint had deserved victories over Ballycran, Shamrocks and Ballyvarley respectively. Clonduff gained their first win of the season, defeating Ballyvarley while Carryduff opened their campaign with a win at Castlewellan. The Castlewellan boys had excellent performances from Rory Burns, Michael Keown and Brendan Mc Comiskey but it was the midfield displays of Carryduff’s James Lavery and Eoin Conway which   paved the way for their win. Rory Mc Kay and Eoghan Rodgers had all their side’s scores as Carryduff won by the narrowest of margins.