Degans is destroyer in chief for U-14 aces

Degans is destroyer in chief for U-14 aces

26 September 2012

THE final scoreline indicates that this was an easy passage for Teconnaught as they brushed aside the challenge of Drumaness in this East Down U-14 FC final at St John’s Park, Drumnaquoile, on Saturday.

That doesn’t tell the whole story. Drumaness played their hearts out and put together some good football but overall they came up short against a Teconnaught side that buzzed from the start and gave an exhibition of brilliant team work and scoring power.

Drumaness also had the misfortune to finish the game with 13 players. Full forward Calum Dougan was sent off midway through the first half and keeper Conor Donnelly also saw red ten minutes into the second period. But even with a full complement of players Drumaness still would not have won.

Teconnaught dominated midfield throughout with the brilliant Conor Degans, who finished as his side’s top scorer. Assisted by team captain Andrew McCartan Deagan lorded it over the hard working Drumaness pairing of Se Campbell and Curtis Fallon.

At the back Teconnaught had star defenders in Matthew Carrick, Conall Murnin and Caolan Boyle. Up front Connor Walters, Conall Young and Eoin Mulholland gave the Drumaness defence a serious examination.

Drumaness never gave up the battle. Conor Carew, Reece Hanna and Paul McGurnaghan worked overtime in defence, while in attack the best work came from James McClean, James McGivern and Thomas Lynn.

The sides were level at 0-1 each after four minutes. Conor Degans pointed for the winners and Thomas Lynn replied. But that was as close as it got.

Connor Walters shot Drumaness ahead with a point after seven minutes and during the following ten minutes the winners moved up a gear. The alert Walters raced in for a goal after ten minutes and four minutes later Andrew McCartan blasted home another. Midway through the half Conall Young slotted home a third as Teconnaught raced into a 3-4 to 0-1 lead.

Drumaness rallied and had points Patrick McCartan, James McClean and Thomas Lynn but the winners replied with three points from Conor Degansm and one from Ciaran Murdock to lead by 3-8 to 0-4 at half-time.

Teconnaught continued to dominate the second half although James McClean from a free had a Drumaness point after two minutes. Teconnaught replied with a penalty goal from Conor Degans followed by another from Thomas Macklin after ten minutes to race into a 5-10 to 0-5 lead. Thomas Lynn, James McClean and James McGivern had Drumaness points, but Teconnaught hit back with goals from substitute Oisin Mulholland and Conor Degans and points from Eoin Mulholland, Conall Young and Andrew McCartan.

Teconnaught: T. Small; J. Carville, C. Murnin, V. Reid; C. Boyle, M. Carrick, N. Walters; A. McCartan (1-1), C. Degans (2-5); C. Walters (1-1), C. Murdock (0-2), R. Anderson; E. Mulholland (0-2), T. Macklin (1-0), C. Young (1-2). Subs used: O. Mulholland (1-0), O. Carville, D. Peaston, G. Deegans, J. Murnin.

Drumaness: C. Donnelly; P. McGurnaghan, R. Hanna, D. Leech; T. McConville, C. Carew (0-1), M. McHale; S. Campbell, C. Fallon; T. Lynn (0-3), P. McCartan (0-1), J. McClean (0-3); J. McGivern (0-1), C. Doogan, K. McMoran. Subs used: N. McDonald, C. Morgan, N. Rogan, C. Brennan.

Teconnaught 7-13

Drumaness 0-9

EAST DOWN U-14 FC FINAL