The U16's and U14's both had derby games against parish neighbours Castlewellan last week. The U16's won their match and the U14's very nearly did the same.

 

In the U14's game Castlewellan were leading by eleven points at half time but by the final whistle the 'Fin had clawed the deficit back to just five points after a breath-taking second half display. The 'Fin outscored the 'Town 5-6 to 4-3 in the second period and pushed them to the pin of their collar but the 'Town held on for the win. It finished Castlewellan 9-11 Aughlisnafin 8-9.

 

While the 'Fin had many good performers over the hour it was the debutant Diarmuid Lavery who caught the eye as he blasted in a hat trick. With a bit more luck he could easily have doubled his tally. Dermy also struck for a point. Conor Matthews also grabbed three majors and all three coming direct from free kicks ! Conor also fired over 2 points from placed balls. Another star performer on the night was Aaron Flanagan at half forward who scored 1-1 and he was instrumental with several assists. Rhys Clarke plundered 1-3 under very close watch by his opponent while Conall King and Morgan Croskery grabbed 0-1 each.

 

Aughlisnafin: D McKibbin, M Flanagan, M Croskery (0-1), C Steen, R Walsh, P OHare, E Lyttle, C Matthews (3-2, 5F), R Clarke (1-3), A Flanagan (1-1), C King (0-1), D Lavery (3-1), J McCabe Subs: M Quinn, D Murphy, C Walsh.

 

*In the U16s game Shea Croskery opened the scoring with his first of four majors over the hour after the 'Fin had won possession straight from the throw in. Eoin Lundy breaking the ball to Oran Flanagan who worked the ball through to Croskery who fired home. Flanagan then sent over a 30 yard free. The 'Town replied with a well worked goal and a pointed free to draw level. The 'Fin then enjoyed a ten minute spell scoring 2-4 as they transfered their ascendancy to the scoreboard. Former 'Town player Conor Robb used his physicality to good effect and won vital possession on his competitive debut for the club. Flanagan sent over three more placed balls while Ruari King and Croskery both found the net. Ruairi Quinn breaking forward from his half back berth to take a cross field pass to strike over a great point from distance. Through impressive attacking play from right half back Oisin O'Toole the 'Town enjoyed a purple patch in the run up to half time to score 1-3 with out reply to reduce the 'Fin's ten point lead back to just four. Half time Aughlisnafin 3-5 Castlewellan 2-4.

 

Just as in the first half good team work by Lundy and Flanagan saw them gain possession from the throw in but Croskery found his effort well saved by Mark Rice in the Town nets. One of several saves Rice made over the course of the game. The 'Town responded to score three points in succession to make it a one point game. Another Croskery effort from just inside the big square was foot blocked and match official Damian Laverty awarded a penalty. Flanagan, as captain, took responsibility of this pressure kick against the in-form 'Town goalkeeper. Flanagan was in bullish mood and was calmness personified as he stroked the ball past Rice to restore the 'Fin's four point advantage. An ex-Fin player Ciarnan Stratton threatened for the Town but the danger was snuffed out by the younger Flanagan brother Aaron who put in a very mature display over the hour which was mirrored by fellow U14 player Conor Matthews. Croskery eventually got his hat trick and followed up with his only minor of the game to put the Fin eight points to the good with a quarter of the game remaining. The game then raised the excitement levels of the watching supporters as it became a tit for tat goal slug out. Two 'Town goals were subsequently negated by two 'Fin goals with the mercurial Croskery chipping home his fourth after a superb 50 yard solo and the industrious Cathal Murphy taking a Croskery pass to place it beyond the outstretched Rice.

 

As in the previous game against Dromara, Lundy put in a massive shift in not only shepherding the Town playmaker but defending in his own square while teeing up the forwards at the other end of the field. As the 'Town pressed to get back into the game the 'Fin showed their mettle and dug in. Callum Haynes, Jack Matthews, Ruairi Quinn and Adam Lenaghan defended resolutely and set up smart counter attacks. Still the Town pressed and grabbed a goal to give them a lifeline. Two points followed to reduce the deficit to just three points but the 'fin were able to get over the line. Just about. Final score Aughlisnafin 7-6 Castlewellan 5-9. It would be hard to single any player out such was the collective effort and teamwork displayed. From Morgan Croskery in nets to Ruari King in forwards, the lads worked very hard to pick up a very important two points. Next up is another tough game away to Saul.

 

Aughlisnafin : Morgan Croskery, Aaron Flanagan, Callum Haynes, Adam Lenaghan, Conor Matthews, Jack Matthews, Ruairi Quinn (0-1), Eoin Lundy, Oran Flanagan (1-4, 1Pen, 4F), Shea Croskery (4-1), Cathal Murphy (1-0), Conor Robb, Ruari King (1-0) Subs : Ben Ogle, Oisin Cassidy-Dawson, Diarmuid Lavery, Peter O'Hare, Rory Walsh.

 

*The U12's game against Dromara was postponed a second time and will now be played Tuesday 17th May at 7 pm. On Sunday morning a depleted U12's team were not strong enough to win against Kilclief despite the best efforts of the nine Fin players involved, eight of them still U10s.

 

*The adult teams both lost their respective league games. The ladies lost at home to Carryduff while the men lost away to Aghaderg.

 

*The Year 6 and 4 teams both attended the Go Games Blitz hosted by St Johns and played four games each in resplendent sunshine. Well done to all involved in this football extravaganza.

 

*We had several underage players attending Down GAA development squad trials at the weekend in three different locations. Eoin Lundy and Oran Flanagan were in Newry with the U16s. Cathal Murphy attended the U15 trials in Downpatrick. Diarmuid Lavery, Conor Matthews and Morgan Croskery were in Ballykinlar with the U14's. Morgan making a round up trip that morning to Derry after helping his Hinch rugby team mates beat City of Derry to reach the semi finals of their cup competition. That's dedication for you !! Well done to all the lads attending. The club is extremely proud to see these lads willing to put their efforts into improving their development. Not everyone makes the cut and the lads are well aware of this but they also know that you need to be knocking the door for the chance it might be opened to them.

 

*Upcoming league fixtures Tuesday 26 April Ladies v St John's (h) 7 pm ; Thursday 21 April U16's v Saul (a) 7.30 pm ; Friday 29 April Seniors v Mitchels (h) 7.15 pm ;Sunday 1 May U16's v Sarsfield (h) 12.30 pm ; Tuesday 3rd May U14's v Loughinisland (a) 7 pm.

 

*Sunday 8th May has been set aside by GAA headquarters in Croke Park for La na gClub, day of the club. We have activities planned for our members at Annsborough Playing Fields so keep this date free.

*Numbers are 2, 6, 23, 25. No winners. Jackpot £2,000.

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