Brave Downpatrick youngsters edged by Tollymore at the death

8 November 2023

DOWNPATRICK FC U-13s got back to football after the recent bad weather made pitches unplayable and were unlucky to lose 6-5 to Tollymore with a last-minute goal deciding a pulsating end-to-end game.

Downpatrick started the strongest and the opening goal came when Patrick Sidall beat his man on the wing and whipped in a superb cross that was met at the back post by Ethan Maguire, who made no mistake, finishing first time.

Downpatrick went two up after five minutes when the lively Niall Madine stormed down the wing from his own half and beat two men to slot past the keeper on the second attempt.

Tollymore never let their heads and battled to get back in the game with three goals in six minutes, one a blistering strike from outside the box which gave Dylan Maguire no chance in the Downpatrick goal.

The back-and-forth battle continued with the impressive Jack McCann scoring after Niall Madine was brought down by the keeper. But the joy turned into despair as the referee brought it back for the penalty which was missed by Niall.

Jack got his reward for his willing running when he got on the scoresheet with a smart finish, making it 3-3 at half time.

The second half started as the first ended with both teams looking to get ahead with Sam McCarthy and Luke Young putting in a shift in midfield to get control for Downpatrick. But it was Tollymore who struck two goals in quick succession, giving them a 5-3 lead and leaving Downpatrick chasing the game.

Milo Morrison got Downpatrick back in contention after an in-swinging corner from Caolan Keown caused confusion in the box with Milo reacting quickest to smash home.

Tollymore had a man sent off soon after for a last-man challenge on Jack McCann, who was through on goal, and not long after he brought the teams levels with an excellent finish.

With time running out, both teams would have settled for a draw but a ball over the top set the Tollymore striker through on goal and he made no mistake, slotting past Dylan to give Tollymore the win in the very last minute.

The teams meet again in the semi-final of the cup this Saturday.

Downpatrick U-14s

After a perfect start to the season and reaching the first cup final, Downpatrick FC U-14s moved up to division one of the Belfast league and opened their account with an impressive 4-2 win against St Oliver Plunkett.

SOP took an early lead when they were awarded an indirect free kick inside the box. The ball was rolled back to Ryan Carlin, who struck it sweetly into the top corner.

Downpatrick hit back quickly and Cabhán Peacock’s fine cross was finished skilfully by Alfie Oakes.

Having controlled possession for a period, Downpatrick took a deserved lead on 26 minutes. Good work down the left from Dara Convie presented the opportunity for Peacock, who tucked it away smartly at the back post.

A goalmouth scramble just before half-time resulted in SOP being awarded a penalty.

However, Harry Milligan in the Downpatrick goals pulled off an excellent save to maintain their lead at the break.

SOP did find an equaliser midway through the second half – a great ball through allowed Darragh Hamill to break down the left and he placed the ball in the far corner with precision.

Downpatrick regained the lead with a volley of the highest quality from 20 yards by James Green and the three points were secured shortly afterwards by captain Ben Sharvin, who struck a brilliant long-range effort which found the top left corner.

Downpatrick U-15 Colts

The U-15 Colts faced Carnmoney Colts as they continued their league campaign.

After a slow start from both teams, Downpatrick found their way into the game when a throw-in from Ben McCann found Callum Cochrane who played a quick one-two with Caoillffhion Hanna, before rifling the ball into the bottom corner from outside the box.

Soon after, a fantastic cross from Adam Sharvin glanced off the Carnmoney defender and over the keeper to make it 2-0 to Downpatrick.

Just before the half, Callum and Caoillffhion linked up once again, with Caoillffhion being sent through, beating his man and producing a fantastic finish into the far corner of the net to make it 3-0.

At the start of the second half, Callum found the net again following a looping ball into the box from Donal McIlwaine to make it it 4-0.

Toward the end of the game, Downpatrick won a free kick on the left. It was Caoillffhion who stepped up and produced a fantastic strike which rattled the post and fell to Joe Rogan on the edge of the box, who smashed it home into the bottom corner, giving Downpatrick a convincing 5-0 win.

Downpatrick U-15 Swifts

Downpatrick U-15 Swifts prevailed after a hard-fought 5-4 win against a strong Rosario side.

The Swifts started quickly with a Matthew McAlpine header from an Eoin Keenan corner five minutes into the game to put the Swifts one up. Rosario got back into the game quickly after a mix-up in the Downpatrick defence.

Another corner and same result for Downpatrick with Eoin Keenan yet again finding Matthew with another great header to put them Swifts 2-1 up but back came Rosario who levelled before half-time.

Rosario found themselves in front early in the second half but that spurred Downpatrick on and Sean Dalton raced through to put the ball into the net.

The impressive Eoin Keenan got himself on the scoresheet with a wonderful free kick into the top corner, leaving the keeper with no chance.

Thomas Rowden made it 5-3 with a cool finish soon after. Rosario pulled one back late in the game but Downpatrick held on for a great victory. Man of the match was Matthew McAlpine.

Downpatrick U-16s

The U16s started their new Division 2 campaign with a 3-2 win over North Belfast side St Malachy’s.

Leo Madine continued his rich vein of form with a long-range effort that found the top corner. Downpatrick should have extended their lead following a sustained period of pressure but it was St. Malachy’s who levelled after some indecision at the back.

Stand-in keeper, Eoin Keenan had little to do during the whole game, but started many of Downpatrick’s attacks with his calm passing from the back.

Downpatrick once again took control of the game with some crisp passing from back to front, forcing a number of corners to keep the pressure on the Belfast side.

It was Connor Dowd who eventually headed Downpatrick in front after a superb delivery from Callum McCarthy.

St Malachy’s replied moments later in a move that could have been prevented.

Downpatrick kept searching for the winner and got their reward with 10 minutes to go with a fine header by Adam Tiley after some fine interplay in the midfield leading to a fantastic cross by Conor to Tiley, who rose majestically to head home.

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