described at the game of the year in Newry on Friday night past. In an epic battle, neither team deserved to lose and for the neutral supporter it was a fabulous game, for the blue supporters it was nail biting stuff from the minute the ball was thrown up.
Cumann Pheadair Noafa U16’s travelled to Newry on Friday night to play Ballyholland in the All County Championship final. A big crowd had turned up to support both teams and they could not be disappointed with the brilliant game of football that followed.
The Blues started the game brightest racing the an early three point lead through Cian McLoughlin, Ryan O’Hare and Aaran McBurney. However Ballyholland finally got going playing some excellent football and got into the game very quickly with a goal from Ryan Connolly. Ballyholland pushed on taking some great scores to push their lead out. The blues squandered a few chances before Eoin Carr closed the gap however the harps pushed ahead again with two more points. In the last couple of minutes of the half Aaran McBurney scored two vital point to put a goal in it at half time
Half time score Warrenpoint 0-6 Ballyholland 1-6.
The motivational words in the young blues dressing room at half time from manager Darren Rice and his team sent the lads out bursting to show their supporters why they are the best in the county!
The blues came out strong in the second half with a new lease of life. They started well with Alan Booth getting a point before Eoghan Byrne broke through the harps defence to beat the keeper with a superbly placed goal which sent the crowds in the stand into overdrive!
Ballyholland quickly regrouped and fired over two points to take the lead by one. The game became more and more tense with chances missed by both sides. Ryan Haughey in nets took off three of the best saves of the year in the half with three and each time the nerves in the crowd could be heard. However Ballyholland never gave up and notched two ahead with another point. The game was going into the dying minutes when Eoghan Byrne got the ball and went on another amazing run beating two men and firing home a goal into the top corner. An amazing individual goal which put the blues back in front. The crowd were going wild at this stage, the atmosphere was electric and the goal began a frantic five minutes which saw the fantistic Haughey make last great save, resulting in Ballyholland crashing the ball off the crossbar and the Blues to hit the post. Midfield general Eoin Carr won a high ball and drove through to end the scoring. The blues held on to win by two in what was a fantastic final.
Final Score 2-8 to 1-9
Best on the night Eoin Carr, Ryan Haughey and Ruairí McCormack
Scorers Eoghan Byrne 2-0, Aaron McBurney 0-3, Eoin Carr 0-2, Alan Booth 0-1, Ryan O’Hare 0-1, Cian McLoughlin 0-1
