Downpatrick U-17s keep in contention

10 April 2024

DOWNPATRICK U-17s kept their charge for league honours with a convincing 4-0 win against Crumlin United at the weekend.

Chasing league leaders Antrim Rovers with three games in hand, Downpatrick couldn’t afford any slip-ups and they proved to be too much for a good Crumlin side.

After a number of chances from Morgan McCoubrey and Ronan Cope, it was Shea Holland who rose majestically at the back post to power a header home and give Downpatrick a 1-0 lead.

There were further chances for Matthew McMahon and Seany Duggan but both sailed wide. Duggan got on the scoresheet soon after, however, when he coolly slotted home after a goalmouth scramble.

Downpatrick were dominant throughout the game and Eoin Murphy in the Downpatrick goals wasn’t troubled. The defence was marshalled by the impressive Patrick Dunlop, with Shea Vaughan and Callum McCarthy proving to be a solid unit.

After a succession of corners, it was Holland who again rose highest to power another header, giving Downpatrick a 3-0 lead with 20 minutes remaining.

With Oisin Dunn and Harry McCarthy winning the midfield battle, Downpatrick created numerous chances which on another day could have gone in. James Tumelty came closest with a shot just outside the box.

The final goal of the game was a thunderous strike by Dalton, who stepped into midfield to win the ball and without thinking, unleashed a shot from inside his own half.

It sailed over the Crumlin goalkeeper’s head and nestled into the top corner for what has to be the goal of the season.

Downpatrick saw the final minutes out comfortably and will hope to continue their winning form in hunting down league leaders Anrtim Rovers.

U15 Colts

Downpatrick U-15 Colts took on Dromara Village looking to push for top spot in the league. A shaky start saw chances go amiss for both sides, however, Downpatrick were looking the more confident.

The pressure soon showed as Jack Blaney stepped up with a goal of the season contender.

The ball worked its way into the Dromara half and was then floated to Blaney, whose beautifully struck shot with his weak foot from 30 yards out, soared over the goalkeeper and into the top corner to make it 1-0.

In the second half, a corner from Ben McCann was met by a rising Callum Cochrane whose header was placed into the back of the net to double the score.

Downpatrick had a number of chances to extend their lead but to no avail. However, with time running out, a corner from Eoin Keenan was steered into the path of Eoin McMahon who slotted home to put the game to bed and confirm a 3-0 victory.

U-15 Swifts

Downpatrick U-15 Swifts kept the battle for the title going to the last game of the season with another great win, this time 6-1 over Antrim Rovers.

Aaron Sinclair scored his first goal of the game when Sean Dalton placed a perfect through ball for Aaron to run onto and he made no mistake with a powerful finish.

Antrim didn’t let that unsettle them and brought the game level from the penalty spot, which Downpatrick goalkeeper Tyler Thompson made a great attempt to save but unfortunately it was just beyond his reach.

Sinclair got his second soon after. This time Matthew McAlpine’s big throw was knocked on by Corey Kennedy, who provided a great assist for the 2-1 half-time lead.

The second half saw the Swifts come to life, with some great football leading to Sinclair getting his hat-trick and another great assist from Dalton.

Sinclair’s fourth goal of the game came from a corner, which he dispatched straight to the back of the net from the inswinging corner.

Darryl Madine made a great run and was taken down just outside the box, before taking the resulting free-kick and smashing it into the roof of the net.

The final goal of the game came when Sinclair swung in another corner, this time returning the assist, with Kennedy tucking it away to make it six.

This win sets the Swifts up for a great finish to the season with one league game remaining and a semi-final to look forward to.

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