Cumann Pheadaír Naofa 8-3
Carryduff 4-3
Thursday saw the U12s travel to Carryduff in the last of their divisional league games. Having played Carryduff only a few weeks ago at home the young blues were full of confidence going into this game holding Carryduff to just two points throughout the whole sixty minutes. Carryduff proved to be a much better side at home and really made the ‘point boys battle for their scores this time round. In what was a beautifully sunny day with only the slightest of breezes it wasn’t too long into the start of the game when Midfielder Tiernan Kelly grabbed the opening goal, a fine strike which gave the Carryduff keeper no chance as the sliotar rattled the back of the net. A point from Liam O’Connor out on the wing swiftly followed by a goal from Liam had the Warrenpoint side seven points up with 10 minutes gone. Carryduff battled strongly, but could only manage a point, as Niall Rice, James Sweeney and man of the match Matthew Duffy were quick to react to any imminent danger in the defence. With the predatory Jarlath Donnelly and Darragh Austin playing up front two more goals were to follow with some fine confident hurling on show from the Cumann Pheadaír Naofa forwards, again Carryduff rallied and were blessed with a fortunate goal after a scramble in the square. It was then that Tiernan Kelly struck for his second goal and a Matthew Duffy point emphasized the dominance the blues were having in the first 30 minutes, going in to the break 5-2 to 1-1 up.
The rolling subs policy employed by the Cumann Pheadaír Naofa management throughout the game could have been the contributing factor to the resurgence seen by the home team in the second half as they managed to make a real contest of the fixture, as they opened the scoring taking a goal and a point without reply. Blues goalkeeper for the first half, Caolan Freer was now employed out the field in a straight swap with midfielder Tiernan Kelly. Young Kelly proved to be an excellent shot stopper as several times he was not found lacking when faced with what should have been certain goals for the Carryduff side. After soaking up a lot of their opponents’ attacks, the blues half backs eventually broke free and a long ball into the Carryduff half found Liam O’Connor, who settled the slight nerves of a possible comeback, when he broke past two markers and fired to the net. Carryduff to their credit never gave up and replied with two goals and a point to put six points between the sides. It was then that Jarlath Donnelly gather the sliotar of the edge of the square, surrounded by two purple shirts he swivelled and struck to the net. Two minutes later Niall Rice, now playing up front to give the blues some more height and strength up front, grabbed the blues last score of the game, a scramble in the square after a delivery from Mark Campbell saw Niall break free and very cleverly kick the sliotar to the net.
Next week the boys will entertain Ballygalget, who themselves finished second in their regional division and will surely provide a tough opponent after having racked up seven goals against their Ards neighbours Ballycran last week.
CPN were: Liam O’Connor 2-1, Tiernan Kelly 2-0, Jarlath Donnelly 2-0, Matthew Duffy 1-2, Darragh Austin 1-0, Niall Rice 1-0
