East Down U12.5 Division 3 Championship

 

Aughlisnafin 2-08 Drumaness 3-03

 

Aughlisnafin were the underdogs going into this game having suffered a 25 point reversal only three weeks before in the group game. They won this game by two points and with it their first ever underage championship in their recent history. It was a closely contested game and it went right to the wire in the end with the 'Fin clinching a deserved win.

The weather made condition tricky for both teams but the 'Fin mastered them quickly and were playing some intelligent passing football with the wind at their backs. The 'Fin centre half forward Conall King stroked over a great opening score with his left boot in the third minute. King doubled his tally moments later when he clipped over his first of six frees. Drumaness responded with a fortunate goal that crept in past 'Fin keeper Odhran Maguire at the near post. Maguire beat away another goal bound effort soon after as the blues threatened to repeat their goal glut of the previous fixture. But the 'Fin weathered the storm and restored their one point advantage with two more frees from King. Both were on the 13 metre line as a result of King himself and Rhys Clarke both being pulled down when through on goal and inside the D. Drumaness levelled the game again with 20 minutes gone. It was King again on target for the 'Fin with a great point to edge them ahead again by the minimum. Rhys Clarke and Marc Quinn were winning the midfield battle, and it was a battle, with decent supply to Owen ONeill and King who were continually putting the Drumaness defence on the back foot with their jinking runs. Clarke made a superb run in from the left and having to improvised he skilfully manoeuvred the ball soccer style through the Drumaness defenders but struck the outside of the post. Drumaness responded immediately but 'Fin keeper Maguire saved superbly and the ball was cleared by the impressive fullback Niall Dornan. King added his sixth point of the half which was negated by a Drumaness pointed free to give the 'Fin a slender one point advantage after an enthralling first half.

 

Aughlisnafin 0-06 Drumaness 1-02.

 

Drumaness were quick off the mark soon after the throw in when they slammed the ball to the net to lead by two points. The 'Fin defence again working hard to repell the strong Drumaness attackers but Corey McCann, Kevin McComiskey, Calum Lyttle and Conor Walsh were equal to the task and snapped up vital interceptions before moving the ball forward with a smart short passing and move game. Again the 'Fin got their noses back in front when inside forward Anthony Quinn expertly slotted the ball across the Drumaness keeper and into the bottom corner of the net. This re-energised the young 'Fin team but again Drumaness restored parity with a point driven over from a ground kick which could have easily went under the bar. O'Neill then won a free which he opted to take himself which dropped short but the keepers clearance found its way to King who was dragged down for yet another free which he converted with aplomb into a driving head wind. King was a constant thorn in the Drumaness side but with it he was being marked out for close attention and inevitably Drumaness had their defender red carded after an unsavoury incident which has no place in football. The 'Fin having numerical advantage began to launch a series of attacks in which eventually broke the blue resistance with King firing home what was to be the winning goal in the end. Marc Quinn was immense covering every blade of grass and he popped over a great point after being sent clear by substitute Joseph Steen. Drumaness tried hard to re-group but lack of discipline saw them lose their midfielder to a black card. Still Drumaness asked questions of the 'Fin and grabbed a late goal to leave a few nervy moments for the 'Fin before the match official Conor Curran blew the long whistle.

 

Final score Aughlisnafin 2-08 Drumaness 3-03.

 

Aughlisnafin: Odhran Maguire, Conor McCann, Niall Dornan, Kevin McComiskey, Calum Lyttle, Conor Walsh, Marc Quinn (0-01), Rhys Clarke, Owen O'Neill, Conall King (1-07, 0-6f), Marty og Flanagan, Dualta Pickering, Anthony Quinn (1-00) Subs: Joseph Steen, Conor O'Hare, Reece Tweedie, Jack Keenan.

 

Player of the Match was Conall King.

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