Aughlisnafin club notes
May 06, 2013In the first half a superb four goal salvo from Shea Croskery gave the Fin the half time lead 4-1 to 1-5 with Croskery also tagging on a point. In the second half the 'Stone battled back to score 3-5 with Lundy scoring 2-1 and Croskery 0-1 for the 'Fin to leave it 22 points apiece at full time. In extra time the 'Fin powered into the final with Lundy grabbing two goals, Faelan Murphy the third and Croskery with a superb half volleyed point.
In the final they met a very strong An Riocht team who ran out comfortable 3-13 to 2-4 winners as the young Fin lads were heavy legged after their extra time exertions. Shea Croskery scored 2-1, Eoin Lundy 0-2 and Oran Flanagan 0-1 in the final game. It was a great experience for the team and every player except one will be eligible to play next season in this grade which augurs well for the future. As well as the scorers there were superb performances from Callum Haynes, Jamie Allen and Darren Toner with Faelan Murphy really stepping up to the mark with two cracking goals over the five games. Fin squad : O Flanagan, C Haynes, J Allen, J Matthews, E Lundy, D Toner, S Croskery, F Murphy, A Lenaghan, A Flanagan.
The U14's were defeated by Bredagh B last Monday evening in Divison 2. The Fin although playing well they struggled to get points on the board. Morgan Croskery made a superb save from a penalty but despite their best efforts Bredagh tallied 2-7 for the first half with the Fin unable to score. Jack Matthews was forced from the action due to a reckless challenge just before the short whistle and with only one sub the Fin were up against it in the second half. HT Aughlisnafin 0-0 Bredagh 2-7.
A switch by management which moved Darren Toner to midfield and Eoin Lundy to half forward paid immediate dividends with Lundy lashing home a left footed effort into the top corner of the net. But then Ruairi Quinn went off injured and with no sub to come on the Fin had to play the remaining 28 minutes a player down. However the lads continued to drive forward and Oran Flanagan combined well with Lundy and to send over a superb point. Bredagh replied with a goal and a point to negate the Fin's scores. Oran Flanagan then won the first of two penalties and coolly despatch the ball to the bottom left hand corner. With the extra player Bredagh continued to keep the scoreboard ticking over with two majors in as many minutes to lead by 16 points with twenty minutes remaining. Another flowing Fin move started by Callum Haynes in defence was worked on by Toner and Flanagan who found Lundy and a superb pass sent Ruari King through to slot over. Possibly the best move of the game. Bredagh added a further goal and a point which were then negated by another spectacular goal from Lundy and a point from the versatile Toner.
Bredagh tagged on two more points but another driving run forward by Oran Flanagan saw him upended in the big square and he picked himself up to smash his second penalty into the opposite corner of the net from his first. As the Fin began to tire Bredagh were able to use their five subs to finish out the match adding a further goal and two points. Final Score Aughlisnafin 4-3 Bredagh 7-14
Despite playing practically the whole second half of the match with an extra player Bredagh only outscored the Fin 5-7 to 4-3. This was in no small part due to the outstanding goalkeeping feats by 10 year old Morgan Croskery. The full back line of Callum Haynes and Jamie Allen were on top of their game throughout. After losing both half backs Jack Matthews and Ruairi Quinn to injury Faelan Murphy and Darren Toner (0-1) did the work of three players to contain a dangerous Bredagh half forward line. Oran Flanagan (2-1) and Eoin Lundy (2-0) worked like Trojans in midfield and were directly involved in all of the scores. The half forward trio of 11 year olds were Ruari King (0-1), Conor Matthews and Aaran Flanagan and they did exceptionally well against physically bigger opponents. At full forward Ben King and Adam Lenaghan found scoring opportunities hard to come by but never stopped trying and did well to get into good positions. Next match is away to Bright.
After winning both their opening games against Bredagh B and Drumaness the U12's were beaten by one point by a strong Carryduff 'C' side. Despite the Fin leading by 3-7 to 1-6 at the short whistle a totally unrecognisable Carryduff team stormed through the second half scoring 3-7 without reply to lead by 10 points with 10 minutes of the game remaining. Morgan Croskery was switched outfield with Aaran Flanagan going into nets and Croskery inspired a fightback with the first of three goals. Nine year olds Conall King and Rhys Clarke getting the other two to drag the Fin back level. But Carryduff pointed from a free with seconds remaining to win by a point. With the opposition not having numbers on their jerseys it was difficult for our players in marking especially with subs being run on and off particularly in the second half. But credit to the whole team who battled till the final whistle. A remarkable first game for Rhys Clarke who tallied 4-1 and Ruari King gave an exhibition in point taking. Aughlisnafin: M Croskery (1-0), A Lenaghan, A Flanagan, C Steen, C Murphy, C Matthews, R King (0-6), C King (1-0), R Clarke (4-1), M Flanagan, N Sexton Subs: A Quinn, N King, K McComiskey. The next match is away to Kilclief on Tuesday at 7.30 pm then at home to Dundrum this Sunday at 11 am.
The Seniors match away to Mitchels was postponed due to a bereavement and has been re-fixed for Monday 10th June. The next match is at home to St Pauls this Thursday at 7.30 pm.
The Seniors took part in the JMac 7s on Saturday despite the unavailability of several players. They also played in the Down Junior Feis 7s in Ballykinlar making history by reaching the final for the first time since 1938. They lost to Drumaness in their first match but then beat Dromara to make the final against Drumaness.
The Ladies recorded their first win of the season with a comfortable 6-28 to 0-2 win over newcomers Killyleagh who battled well thoughout. It was a dominant display by the girls with Jody Rice, Rachel Quinn, Niamh Flanagan, Cliona McComiskey and Nuala O'Hare among those on target. There were good displays also from Laura Lambe, Nuala McAlinden, Claire McShane and Amanda Maginn. Next match for the Ladies is away to Bright.
The U10's will attend a Go Games blitz this Saturday at 10.30 am hosted by Bryansford GAC.
Down GAA will, for the 4th year running, be taking 96 U-12 players to Croke Park for a Go Games Activity Day, on Tuesday 9th July 2013. Two of our u12 players will participate in this unique event.
They will have access to the hallowed Croke Park Pitch from 9.30 am - 11am during which time children representing every club in the county will participate in small sided games of Hurling and Gaelic Football. The day will also include a free tour of the famous Coke Park Stadium and Museum.
Busses will be provided to transport the children to and from Croke Park.
I would ask that those players who are available to attend on that date and would like to go to let the club's Youth Officer Gerard Lenaghan know no later than Friday 24th May. All names will be entered into a ballot and the lucky players will be drawn out.
Please note than players MUST be born on or after 1st January 2001 and before 31st December 2001, i.e. in their final year of U-12's.
The club will be performing the play "Say Cheese" by Bernard Farrell this Friday, Saturday and Sunday in the Lodge. Doors open at 7pm, curtain up at 8pm, admission is £8.
Down GAA Open Night is this Friday evening in Pairc Esler from 7.30 to 9 pm. A chance for our young players to meet their heroes and pit their skills against them.
Training for the coming week in Annsborough :
There is no training this week for the U14s, u12s and u10s. The u8s will train on Thursday night at 6.30 pm.
U6's Saturday at 10.30 am.
The 49 Club winner was Martin Cunningham (37) and he won £45.
Lotto 3, 6, 21, 25. James Quinn was £20 draw winner. Jackpot £4,850.
The club extend sincere condolences to senior player Sean Fitzsimmons and family circle on passing of his grandmother Eileen Fettes RIP. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a hanam usal. Tweet
