Fantastic ‘Fin are county champs

Fantastic ‘Fin are county champs

4 October 2017

AUGHLISNAFIN produced a masterful display to lift the EJ Kelly Solicitors East Down U-14 C Championship crown at St Patrick’s Park, Newcastle, on Saturday.

Saul had the wind at their backs in the first half, but it was Aughlisnafin who grabbed the opening score when Rhys Clarke slotted over a point from play. Saul replied to level. 

Ethan Lyttle edged the ‘Fin back in front with a superb point, floated over from distance against the wind. Saul responded with a point of their own to level and added another to take the lead. 

Conor Donnelly fired home to the net to swing the advantage back in favour of the ‘Fin with Lyttle tagging on another well-taken point. Three points down, Saul re-grouped and hit four points in succession to lead by the minimum again. 

The football on show was fantastic to watch and both sides were evenly-matched. Clarke split the uprights to level the game again. Another Saul point gave them an 0-8 to 1-4 lead with ten minutes of the half remaining. 

After a scoreless five minute period of play it was Lyttle on target again, stroking over another excellent point. 

In the next attack a long ball forward saw a Saul player race through on goal and he drew a superb save from ‘Fin ‘keeper Ethan Murray.

When both players jostled for possession off the rebound, the Saul attacker was judged to have been fouled and match referee John McMullan awarded a penalty, from which Saul scored to lead by two points. 

Murray had been called on twice earlier and pulled off brilliant saves as Saul threatened the ‘Fin goal. This seemed to re-energise the ‘Fin and a quick fire 1-3, scored over three minutes, stunned Saul as the ‘Fin regained the advantage to lead by three as half-time approached. 

Odhran Maguire scored a goal and Clarke tagged on two points, either side of a Donnelly effort. Saul had the last word of the half with a point before the short whistle. Half-time: Aughlisnafin 2-8 Saul 1-9.

With the wind at their backs for the second half the signs were ominous for the St Patrick’s club. 

Marc Quinn, Rhys Clarke and Conor Donnelly all sent over while Lyttle sent a screamer to the net.

The ‘Fin led by eight points and Saul had to react quickly, which they did, to grab a goal of their own after some good approach play. This was to be their last score of the game as it stung the ‘Fin into a scoring an unanswered 2-7 over the remaining 20 minutes of the match. 

Donnelly (1-2), Lyttle (0-4), Quinn (1-0) and Clarke (0-1) all added to their tallies to drive the ‘Fin to a comprehensive victory and with it, earning the club a first ever East Down U-14 Championship.

Joint captains Ethan Lyttle and Peter O’Hare and vice-captain Rhys Clarke all led by example with outstanding work rate and leadership. Conor Donnelly and Marc Quinn were also outstanding in the attacking third. 

In nets, Ethan Murray made three match saving saves in the first half as Saul threatened to build up a lead with wind advantage. Donncha Murphy was a rock in defence and along with the two U-12 players, Anthony Quinn and Conor Walsh, they made it very difficult for Saul to score in the second half with all three along with O’Hare the springboard for devastating counterattacks. 

Odhran Maguire and Owen O’Neill also worked hard before being replaced late in the game by Corey McCann and Niall Dornan.

Aughlisnafin 5-18

Saul 2-9

EAST DOWN U-14 C FC FINAL