Plenty of positives for Downpatrick youth teams as they return to action

Plenty of positives for Downpatrick youth teams as they return to action

11 January 2023

YOUTH action returned for Downpatrick FC following the Christmas break with plenty of positives to reflect on from the weekend.

The U-14 Colts ran out 3-1 winners against Antrim Rovers.

The Colts lined out on a patchy pitch at Hydebank which seemed to set the tone for a scrappy game. 

With little in the way of quality from either side to start, Donal McIlwaine showed a touch of class in the 12th minute to put his team ahead by delivering a perfect right footed curling free-kick from 25 yards into the top corner.

The team made the best possible start to the second half, pressing Antrim all over the pitch.

They quickly got their reward when Conor Murphy pounced on a defensive mistake to take an awkward ball in the air and volley it over the ‘keeper to make it 2-0.

Downpatrick were given a fright when Antrim worked a really good goal after a slick passing move and decisive shot 15 minutes from time. 

However, Conor had another trick up his sleeve. After a Downpatrick attack seemingly fizzled out with the ball appearing to head to the safety of the Antrim ‘keeper, Darragh McAlinden didn’t give up and charged down the goalkeeper’s clearance. 

The ball broke and Conor was first on hand to smash it into the top right hand corner from the edge of the box. A battling display from the Colts in a gritty game.

Meanwhile, the U-14 Swifts team were narrowly edged out 4-3 by Bloomfield. 

It was Bloomfield who struck the first blow, but the Swifts recovered thanks to a brilliant free-kick from Matthew McAlpine, which left the ‘keeper stunned. 

The Swifts were pegged back once again when Bloomfield took advantage to make it 2-1. 

However, the Bloomfield defence couldn’t cope with the pace up front for Downpatrick and it was Ryan Reeves who scored to bring it back level. Once again, Bloomfield kept fighting back to make it 3-2 in an entertaining game thus far. 

The combination of Ryan and Shea Warnock on the wings, along with 

Freddie Ferguson, Corey Kennedy and Sean Dalton really tested the Bloomfield defence and after a brilliant run from Ryan, the ball across the box fell 

to Shea who tapped it home to make it 3-3. 

Downpatrick battled hard but a very late goal meant Bloomfield took the spoils. A tough match, but the Swifts really fought to make sure they were in the game right until the end. 

The Downpatrick U-13 squad kicked off the new year with a win against Rossglass County at Kilmore playing fields in the Downpatrick Youth Football League.

There was some really nice football played by Downpatrick throughout the match. They worked hard pushing forward and scored some terrific team goals. 

Alfie Oakes, James Green, Eoin Madine, Cian Ward and Harry Milligan chipped in with the goals to secure the three points. 

Downpatrick’s midfield maestro and captain, Ben Sharvin, yet again provided some super assists. 

The players were buzzing to be back and kicking a ball after the festive holidays.

Meanwhile, the U-17s narrowly lost out to Chimney Corner on a 2-1 scoreline and the U-16s were also on the wrong end of a 3-1 result to East Belfast Colts.

However, the U-15s put in a battling performance to gain a point in a 3-3 draw with Abbey Villa.

The U-12 and U-11 squads continued their development journey with matches against Ballynahinch Olympic and Kilmore Rec on Saturday morning. Lots of goals and progress on show.

The U-8 and U-10 squads also enjoyed another action-packed morning of football at the Red High SSG centre at the weekend.