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Aughlisnafin club notes - 18 September 2017

Tuesday 19th September 2017

Aughlisnafin club notes - 18 September 2017

*Our U14’s were away to Bright in the semi-final of the championship on Saturday morning. Bright won both the league meetings against Aughlisnafin by one point and six points respectively and were one of the favourites for the championship winning all three of their group games enroute to the semi final. Bright showed their early intent getting the first two points of the game and also fired two wides but a superb goal from midfielder Marc Quinn in the 7th minute put the Fin in front. After winning the next re-start from the Bright keeper a long ball forward was expertly fetched by full forward Odhran Maguire who lashed the ball home from close range. Conor Donnelly banged in a third goal by the tenth minute to give the Fin a seven point advantage. Fin keeper Ethan Murray made some great catches as Bright saw efforts drop short. Two points in a three minute spell from Rhys Clarke stretched the Fin’s lead to ten points before Bright added two points to cut it back to eight. Fin midfielder Donnelly fired in a second goal and the Fin were eleven in front as half time approached. Bright engineered two more points, the second from a free kick. Half time Bright 0-06 Aughlisnafin 4-03

 

In the second half Bright started quickly and had two more points on the board by the 30th minute. A forward pass found Owen O’Neill wide on the left and he move direct at pace towards the Bright goal and launched an unstoppable shot to the back of the net. Bright sent over another point from play before Donnelly grabbed his third and a well deserved hat trick into the bargain. Bright then lost the first of two of their players to black cards as they struggled to contain the mercurial half forward Clarke who bore the brunt of some heavy challenges. Another Bright point meant the Fin led by 10 points with 12 minutes left on the clock. Another brace of points from Bright trimmed the Fin’s lead back to eight again. Kevin McComiskey replace Niall Dornan, one of three U12’s who started due to three U14 absentees. Further points from O’Neill, Clarke, Marc Quinn and Peter O’Hare and one in reply from Bright gave the Fin a comfortable 12 point margin but Bright battled gamely to the end and grabbed two late consolation goals. Final score Bright 2-13 (19) Aughlisanafin 6-07 (25). This win sets up a first ever final in this grade which will be against Saul on Saturday 30th September at 12 noon. Venue to be confirmed. Aughlisnafin: Ethan Murray, Donncha Murphy, Peter O’Hare (c) (0-01), Conor Walsh, Anthony Quinn, Niall Dornan, Marc Quinn (1-01), Conor Donnelly (3-00), Owen O’Neill (1-01), Rhys Clarke (0-04, 1f), Odhran Maguire (1-00) Subs: Kevin McComiskey, Callum Lyttle, Jamie King, Ryan McCann.

 

*The U11’s were away to Carryduff B on Saturday afternoon. A superb first half saw

the Fin with the wind at their backs take a 3-07 to 1-03 half time lead. In the second half Carryduff outscored the Fin 3-05 to 2-01 but the Fin held out for a brilliant win that send them into second place in the league standings with a game in hand. Well done lads. The two remaining games are at home to Darragh Cross next Sunday 24th September at 11 am with the final game away to Bredagh C at Cherryvale at 4 pm On Saturday 30th September. Aughlisnafin : Sean Croskery, Conor O’Hare (0-02), Ryan Quinn, Ryan McCann, Ryan Croskery, Marty Og Flanagan (0-02), Joseph Steen (1-01), Harry Keenan (1-00), David Steen, Caolan Flanagan (1-02), Dillon Steele (2-01) Sub: Odhran Murray.

 

*Baile an Locha made the short trip out to Pairc Eoghan Rúa to play Kilcoo in the quarter final of the All County Minor Football Championship. It was the home team who started quickly building a nine point lead by the 20th minute but the Loch worked their way back into the game. Half time Kilcoo 1-09 Baile an Locha 0-06. The Loch started the second half strongly to 1-02 to cut the six point deficit back to the minimum. Both sides had their chances to win the game but both sides would have been relieved to live to fight another day in the end. Scorers for Baile an Locha: Oran Flanagan 0-07 (0-06f), Tiernan Noade 1-03 (0-03f), Andrew Gilmore 0-1 (0-1f), Shea Croskery 0-01, Caolan Burns 0-01.

 

*The Minor championship ¼ final replay followed on Saturday afternoon and it was a third minor game in seven days which ultimately proved a bridge too far for the Loch. The game itself saw Kilcoo take an early 3-1 to 0-2 lead before the match official sent off a Loch player for an altercation he did not have sight off. A dreadful decision which had a massive bearing on the outcome of the game despite a brave fightback by the Loch to outscore Kilcoo 1-08 to 0-04 to trim the eight point deficit back to the minimum with eight minutes of the game remaining. A chance from a free kick to level the game was not taken when opting to go short. Kilcoo won possession and countered to grab a goal back then another to end the game as a contest. The Loch added another point with Kilcoo tagging on two to see out the game. Final score Baile an Locha 1-11 Kilcoo 5-7. Twelve scores apiece but that old maxim goals win games rang true. A heroic effort but cruelly denied a chance to reach an all county semi final. The lads have been tremendous all season losing only once in the league on their way to the title and losing only twice in five all county championship games. Scorers for Baile an Locha: Andrew Gilmore 0-04, Caolan Burns 0-03, Eoin Moag 1-00, Tiarnan Noade 0-02, Oran Flanagan 0-02. Well done to the players and management team and thanks to St Johns for facilitating the amalgamation which has been a great success.

 

*Our U16s exited the championship after a disappointing turn of events away to St John’s & Dundrum last Thursday evening. Both sides were level at half time after a superb first half of football. In the second half St Johns edged two points ahead but the Fin were starting to lift their game. Trae Crawford was forced from the action after a robust challenge saw him suffer ankle ligament damage. Moments later two Aughlisnafin players were red carded effectively ending the game as a contest as the hosts went on to win by nine points. Final score Aughlisnafin 3-5 St Johns 2-17. Shea Croskery scored and impressive 2-05 with Trae Crawford getting the other goal. Best wishes to Trae on a speedy recovery. The U16’s have had a tremendous season which saw them finish runners up in the East Down U16A league winning nine out of the thirteen games played. Next season will see the club compete in the top section of East Down for the third season in succession.

 

*Our U10.5’s will attend the East Down Super Blitz in Carryduff this Saturday with the first game commencing at 10 am.

 

*Aughlisnafin will compete in U13C Championship. There will be five games played on subsequent Sunday mornings at 11 am commencing Sunday 8th October.

 

*Lotto numbers 14, 15, 18, 25. No winners. Jackpot now stands at £2,850.