*Our U13's got their championship campaign underway on Sunday morning with a tricky fixture away to St Paul's who won the U12's league fixture up in Holywood earlier in the season in what was a high scoring thriller. The U12's squad was bolstered with six of our U14 league winning squad and they made a sizeable difference.

 

St Paul's settled quickly and their more cohesive team work saw them lead 2-2 to no score with 15 minutes played but the Fin then got a foothold in the game when half forward Conor O'Hare drove to the net. Dualta Pickering and Conor Walsh both grabbed a point apiece to leave it a goal between the teams as half time approached. Conor Walsh then sent to the net and levelled the match before the short whistle. A much improved last ten minutes of the half was encouraging for the second half. Half time St Paul's 2-02 V Aughlisnafin 2-02.

 

In the second half Conor O'Hare got the opening score when he banged in a goal to give the Fin the lead for the first time in the game and one which they never relinquished. St Paul's returned fire with two points to make it a one point game. The impressive Walsh tagged on two more excellent points to negate the St Pauls scores. But again St Pauls responded with another point. Ryan Croskery came on for David Steen and Ryan Quinn for Ryan McCann and it was Quinn who fired over the next point. St Paul's continued to make a game of it before Conor O'Hare grabbed his third major and completed a superb hat trick to make sure of the points.

 

It was a good team effort after a tentative start with the long journey beforehand not conducive to a producutive start. Sean Croskery had a great season as the U12's keeper and kept a clean sheet in the second half. The back four included the experience duo of Reece Tweedie and Jamie King at full back and brothers Joseph & David Steen in their customary half back berths. Our two midfielders Niall Dornan worked hard and with their height and good fitness levels they got up and down the field. The two Conors, Walsh and O'Hare at half forward carried the most threat with a combined tally of 4-3 and their excellent decision making. Up front Ryan McCann and Marty og Flanagan worked hard for the cause. Our two ten year old pocket rocket subs, the two Ryans, Croskery and Quinn both were introduced and played their part in a great win with Quinn thumping over a great point on his championship debut. Final score St Paul's 2-05 V Aughlisnafin 4-05

 

Team and scorers: Sean Croskery, Reece Tweedie, Jamie King, David Steen, Joseph Steen, Niall Dornan, Dualta Pickering (0-1), Conor O’Hare (3-00), Conor Walsh (capt.) (1-03), Ryan McCann, Marty Og Flanagan; Subs: Ryan Croskery, Ryan Quinn (0-1)

 

Next up is Carryduff B at home at Pairc Baile Anna this Sunday at 11 am.

 

*Our young members continue with their preparation for the upcoming 50th Anniversary Scór and are proud to be competing in what will be the biggest for many years. Our ballad group includes Connie Flanagan, Genevieve Lenaghan, Ellen Quinn, Fionnuala Pickering & Shannon Murray and they are rehearsing away under the guidance of Corinne Flanagan.

 

*The Juvenile Presentation Night will be held this Friday at 7 pm in Annsborough club. All players from U16 down to U6 are requested to attend. There will be certificates for all our young stars and individual achievements awards as well as recognition of all team achievements.

 

*Ulster Schools football round up. Well done to Morgan Croskery, Peter O’Hare & Marc Quinn who were part of the St Malachys High School squad that defeated St Ronans in the Rafferty Cup. Morgan lined out between the sticks while Peter was at corner back and Marc was one of the subs. Also our minor player Shea Croskery scored a last minute penalty to help St Malachys eke out a deserved draw in a high scoring game in Cookstown against Coláistí Inis Eoghan from Donegal in the MacLarnon Cup. Finally Dualta Pickering and Anthony Quinn were both part of the match day panel for St Malachy’s in their win over St Pauls Bessbrook in the Loch An Iuir competition. Its great to see our players representing the club in the Schools competitions.

 

*Our senior player Christian Peters represented the University of Manchester GAA team in the Lancashire universities and clubs sevens winning four games in reaching the semi finals before losing out to Liverpool John Moores. We hope to see Christian back in the Fin seniors jersey next season.

 

*Ethan Lyttle (Down ETS U15) Marc Quinn (Down ETS U14) were away with their respective squads at the weekend, Marc featured prominently in a very successful final Ulster football blitz of the season winning four and drawing two of their six games.

 

*The club extends best wishes to our senior player Marty Murdock who heads off to Australia on his travels. Marty was one of the mainstays of the senior team this season and featured in the run to the Junior championship semi final.

 

*The Annual Club Dinner & Presentation Night will be held in Downshire Arms in Hilltown on Saturday 27th October. Final numbers need to be confirmed before this Friday and so please contact Jenny Quinn for tickets.

 

*Tickets will soon be made available from our club for the Down clubs draw 2019. As an added incentive anyone taking a ticket will be added into a club draw to be held early in April 2019. First prize will be a pair of tickets for the All Ireland Football final along with 100 euro spending money. Second prize is £150. Third prize is £50.

 

*There will be a quiz night held in Mulhollands on Friday 23rd November from 9 pm.

 

*The AGM will be held on Friday 30th November at 8 pm in Annsborough social club. Nomination/Motion forms will be made available soon. We need more support and hope to count on your help going forward.

 

*Lotto for 5 October 1, 2, 11, 14. No winners ; 12 October 3, 7, 20, 25. No winners. Jackpot £3,875. You can play on line via the Klubfunder link on our website or clicking sign up icon on our facebook page.

 

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