Aughlisnafin U12's were without their regular goalkeeper Aaran Flanagan and midfielder Morgan Croskery for their opening Summer League Division 2 game against Bryansford. Despite the absentees the 'Fin had the better of the early exchanges and led 2-2 to 1-2 after 10 minutes with Conall King (2-1) and Conor Matthews (0-1) on target for the green and whites. Bryansford eventually got into grips with the game and tallied 1-7 over the remainder of the half with the 'Fin mustering a solitary point in the same period from the mercurial King. Half time Bryansford 2-9 Aughlisnafin 2-3



A couple of positional switches were effected at the half time interval with Rory Walsh going between the posts and Conor Donnelly moving outfield. James McCabe replacing Dylan McKibbin and Ethan Lyttle moving to full forward. The switches paid off with Lyttle firing to the net and Matthews adding his second point to leave it a two point game. Bryansford re-grouped and their ability to take their points well negated the Fin's efforts. The play ebbed and flowed throughout but the 'Ford grabbed the all important goals to give them a comfortable lead which despite their best efforts, the Fin could not pull it back. The 'Fin managed further scores from King (0-3), Rhys Clarke, Conor Donnelly and Matthews giving a total return in the second half of 1-7 with the 'Ford scoring 4-8. Final Score Bryansford 6-17 Aughlisnafin 3-10. Aughlisnafin: C Donnelly (0-1), M Quinn, M Flanagan, P O'Hare, R Walsh, E Lyttle (1-0), C Matthews (0-3), D McKibbin, C King (2-5, 0-1 free), R Clarke (0-1), O O'Neill Subs: J McCabe, D Burns, J Keenan, N King.



Best wishes to Aaran Flanagan who is recovering from a broken finger. We hope to see you back on the pitch soon.



The U12's played their second league game in four days at home to Loughinisland on Sunday morning. The 'Fin were without three key players for this game but it was an opportunity for Dara Burns and James McCabe to stake a claim for starting berths and they both took them with gusto. Burns was made captain for the game and put in a man of the match performance scoring 2-1 with several assists playing the full forward role to perfection. His second goal was virtually the last kick of the match and gave the 'Fin a fully deserved draw after clawing back a five point deficit at half time. Loughinisland came down from the first division and they controlled the first half to lead 4-4 to 2-5 at the short whistle, the Fin goals scored by Rhys Clarke and Dara Burns. Both goals came moments before the interval and gave the 'Fin a fighting chance in the second half. The points from Clarke (2), Burns, Conor Donnelly and Conall King. King also saw his effort on goal smack off the foot of the upright. Owen O'Neill came on for Marc Quinn who had to go off with James McCabe switching to defence and ONeill going to full forward. Both lads having playing very well.



After the restart the Fin reeled off four points in succession all from the left foot of King who was giving the 'Island defence a torrid spell to leave it a one point game. Loughisland regrouped and some well taken scores negated the Fin's scores. The 'Fin battled hard with Conor Matthews, Peter O'Hare and Marc Quinn, who had come back on for McCabe, in commanding form in defence. Donnelly's tireless running from midfield was rewarded with a well taken point from play. Rory Walsh and Owen O'Neill both working hard with assists. Matthews sent over a free and another point from Clarke meant the 'Fin were three points behind with seconds remaining. Dara Burns fetched a 'hail mary' ball in from King to turn and smash the equaliser to the net just before time up. A brilliant team performance and hopefully they can take this form into their Spring League semi final play off against Carryduff B on Wednesday evening. Final score Aughlisnafin 3-14 Loughinisland 4-11. Aughlisnafin : D McKibbin, P O'Hare, M Quinn, M Flanagan, C Matthews (0-1, 0-1 free), C Donnelly (0-2, 0-1 free), R Walsh, R Clarke (1-3), C King (0-7, 0-1 free), J McCabe, D Burns (2-1) Subs: O O'Neill, D Murphy, J Keenan, N King.



The U14s lost away to Liatroim on Saturday evening with an unusually lack lustre display. Final score Liatroim 7-12 Aughlisnafin 3-4. The U14 Championship will commence next Monday 4th August and in preparation for same a challenge game will be played against Kilcoo. Training also on Thursday at 7 pm in Annsborough.



The U16s got the points with Bredagh B being unable to field and so this wraps up their league campaign. Three wins and six losses from nine games. Dromara in the championship next for this group.



The Seniors were at home to a promotion chasing Kilclief side and for the second week in succession just managing to field the regulation fifteen with only one substitute. It was the proverbial game of two halves. Kilclief were quick off the mark with two goals in as many minutes and added a further point to lead by seven. Two pointed frees from Ciaran Rice were then negated by two further Kilclief scores and the crossbar prevented a third major for the visitors. Chris Doran's driving run through the Kilclief defence saw him impeded and Rice duly slotted over his third placed ball to leave it 2-3 to 0-3 in favour of the lough shore men half way through the first half. Kilclief scored a further 2-6 in a period of ascendancy for the remainder of the half but the 'Fin kept the scoreboard ticking over with points from Rice, James Brannigan, Donagh Steele and Sean Willoughby, the latter three all from play. Half time Aughlisnafin 0-7 Kilclief 4-8.



Kilclief grabbed the first point after the re-start before a period of dominance by the home team saw them score 2-3 to signal their intentions that they were not giving up the game without a fight. Two goals and point from full forward Paul Flanagan, a point from the impressive Rice and a superb '45 from Breannain McComiskey re-energised their team-mates. The pendulum of dominance then swung back to the visitors as they tagged on another six points in succession. Again the 'Fin struck back with Flanagan grabbing his hat-trick goal and points from Rice and Brannigan (2) negating the Kilclief scoring burst. Kilclief added three more points but a superb goal from Doran and a fourth point of the game for Brannigan ended a pulsating encouter. The 'Fin managed to outscore Kilclief 4-7 to 0-10 over the second half hour but the eleven point deficit at half time was just beyond them, only just. Over the hour Kilclief deserved their win but the 'Fin pushed them all the way especially in the second half. With the championship only weeks away both teams will have been pleased with their performance and levels of fitness in humid conditions. Aughlisnafin : M McClean, F Boden, R Murphy, P McClean, S Willoughby (0-1), N Travers, S Fitzsimmons, D Steele (0-1), C Doran (1-0), B McComiskey (0-1, 1 '45), J Brannigan (0-4), C Rice (0-6, 0-3 frees), A Lynch, Paul Flanagan (3-1), B Quinn, Sub: N Lennon. Next match is at home to Drumaness at home this Friday at 7.30 pm.



The Ladies defeated Teconnaught 5-8 to 2-5 at home on Saturday evening. Next match for the ladies is in the quarter final of the Junior Championship against St Michaels this Sunday at 4 pm in Annsborough.



Well done to Oran Flanagan and Eoin Lundy who both represented the East Down in their match against Meath at Pairc Esler on Sunday.



Lotto 4, 6, 8,12. M Scullion and B Brannigan both matched three numbers and share £50. Jackpot £8,000. Tweet

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