U-18s secure big victory as run of form continues

U-18s secure big victory as run of form continues

18 September 2024

IT was another strong performance from the Downpatrick U-18 team, which continued their fine form by dispatching Crumlin United with ease in a 4-0 victory at the weekend.

Piling the pressure on from the opening whistle, it was Ronan Cope who broke the deadlock with a fine finish.

The towering Odhran Higgins bagged himself a brace either side of half-time to give Downpatrick a comfortable lead going into the final third of the game.

Despite a number of chances being created, it was the Apache Pizza man of the match Morgan McCoubrey, who had the final say when he used his pace to get beyond his man to slot past the Crumlin ‘keeper.

 

U-17

The U-17s fell to their first defeat of the season in a fairly even match against Lisburn Rangers, where both teams struggled to find any real spark.

The best chance of the match for the Downpatrick side came from Ward Warrek, when he broke from midfield and beat his man, leaving him one-on-one with the ‘keeper, who did well to block the shot.

In general, however, the chances were few and far between.

Not long after this, the Lisburn side broke the deadlock, when a mix-up between the defence and goalkeeper allowed for an easy tap-in for the opposition striker. 

The game ebbed and flowed after this, but there was no real opportunity for the Downpatrick side to get themselves back into the game and it disappointingly finished 1-0 to the side from Lisburn.

The boys will look to go again this weekend, in their next match against Rosario.

U-16 Colts

The Downpatrick U-16 Colts took on Carryduff Colts knowing this would be one of their toughest tests of the season.

And so it proved as Downpatrick lost out on a 4-2 scoreline.

The game started lively with both teams getting forward, but to no avail. The long ball from the Carryduff ‘keeper was troubling the Downpatrick defence and it took a mix-up at the back for the ball to fall into the path of a Carryduff striker, who struck well past ‘keeper Noah Hynds.  

He was unlucky not to get a touch on it with a brilliant dive and Downpatrick found themselves 1-0 down.

This lit a fire in them, however, and they began to play better football. A ball worked its way to Fionn Fennell on the right wing and he put in a brilliant cross to Adam Sharvin who made no mistake in levelling the tie.

It didn’t take long for Carryduff to take the lead again, however, from another defensive mix-up.

In the second half, Downpatrick looked more settled in the game and began to press the Carryduff defence with Callum Cochrane and Conor Murphy linking well together up front.

Carryduff, however, were awarded a dubious penalty, much to the protest of the Downpatrick team and sideline, which was then converted to increase the deficit to 3-1. Another goal soon followed, making it 4-1.

Downpatrick did pull a goal back, when Sharvin’s strike from the edge of the box was deflected and wrong footed the opposition keeper to make it 4-2. 

However, it was not enough and they fell to a defeat. A disappointing loss but the boys will look to come back stronger in their next game.

 

U-16 Swifts

Downpatrick U-16 Swifts played out a 1-1 draw with Holywood Youth at the weekend.

The Swifts started the game brightly with a number of good chances falling to Freddie Ferguson and Muhanad Dahla, which were saved by the Holywood ‘keeper.

Ferguson didn’t let the missed opportunity get to him, however, as he got himself on the scoresheet 20 minutes into the game from a Dahla free kick which he was able to tuck away superbly.

Dahla swung in another great ball from a free kick, which Darryl Madine put into the net only for the referee to blow for an offside.

The Swifts kept the pressure on and Josh Magorrian was thwarted by the ‘keeper, pulling off another great save just before half-time.

The second half started and Holywood got a grip on the game but this time Tyler Thompson was the ‘keeper on form, pulling off two great saves to keep the scoreline 1-0 to the Swifts.

With only ten minutes to play, Madine picked up a second yellow, making it an intense end to the game. 

Unfortunately, with only two minutes to go, Holywood broke away from a Downpatrick throw-in inside their own half, with the Holywood striker doing well up against two defenders and hitting a great strike to even the score.

A draw was a fair result in the end for both teams as the Swifts look to build for the season ahead.

 

U-15

Downpatrick U-15s secured a 5-2 victory over Ards Rangers in their league clash at the weekend.

Downpatrick got off to a great start when after five minutes, Cabhan Peacock and James Green combined down the right channel to create the first chance for Alfie Oakes, who made no mistake putting Downpatrick 1-0 up.

The lively striker’s second goal came just minutes later when he capitalised on a scramble in the box and his quick reactions put his side 2-0 ahead.

Instead of adding to their scoreline Downatrick let Ards Rangers back into the game when ‘keeper Harry Milligan let a shot slip through his hands and into the back of the net. 

Into the second half and Downpatrick’s dominance started to show with Dara Convie bagging the first of a brace, when his looping cross caught the Ards defence and ‘keeper out, sailing into the back of the net.

Again, Downpatrick let Ards back in when playing a high line when they were caught out with a ball over the top. The Ards striker made sure to make it 3-2.

Downpatrick didn’t let their heads though and soon got their two-goal lead back when Convie broke down the left and floated a lovely cross to the back post that was met by the onrushing Peacock.

The final goal came when the referee played an advantage due to the Ards ‘keeper handling the ball outside of the box, with Convie taking full advantage to slot home, giving Downpatrick a 5-2 winning scoreline and three well deserved points.

 

U-14

It was another close game between Downpatrick and Kilmore, much like previous encounters, but Downpatrick will rue their chance to take all three points in this 2-2 draw after a good performance on Saturday morning at Billy Neill playing fields.

The first half was controlled through Downpatrick limiting Kilmore to very few chances and Jack Savage in the Downpatrick nets was much of a spectator.

Downpatrick should have gone ahead after ten minutes when Ben Ford ran through on goal to finish past the ‘keeper. His celebration ended, however, when the referee blew for an offside, even though he looked well on.

The two wingers, Niall Madine and Jack Passmore, were causing problems for the Kilmore defence and some fine passing should have led to Downpatrick taking the lead.

The sides went in at half-time scoreless and Downpatrick disappointed not to be ahead. 

At the start of the second half, Downpatrick created a succession of corners, putting real pressure on the Kilmore defence. 

It finally paid off when Ford swung in a corner that found Jackson Trueman who broke clear from his man to slot into the empty net, giving Downpatrick the lead.

Instead of asserting their dominance though, Downpatrick let Kilmore back into the game with a ten-minute spell of pressure leading to the Kilmore equaliser. 

A ball was swung in and Savage in the Downpatrick nets tried to get a hand on it, before the Kilmore player managed to edge it towards the goal. Milo Morrison’s outstretched leg almost cleared it before it trickled over the line to bring the sides level.

Savage was called into action again as Kilmore tried to press home their advantage but he made two fine saves to keep the scores level.

Downpatrick woke up and got a grip of the game again with Sam McCarthy and Luke Young battling well in midfield and Jack Passmore dictating play from the left. 

It was Passmore who was to be rewarded for his fine performance when a ball was swung in to the back post and he rose majestically to 

power a header into the back of the net.

It looked like Downpatrick would hold on for all three points but Kilmore didn’t give up and an unchallenged header from a corner at the back post brought the sides level again.

It was a hectic last five minutes, with both sides pushing for the winner, and Madine was unlucky to not leave the hero. 

His mazy run from the half-way line took him past three defenders and into the box, where he smashed his effort towards goal and it came back off the upright and was cleared to safety. 

The referee blew his whistle soon after and both sides had to settle for a share of the points. 

 

U-13 Swifts

It was a goal fest for the Downpatrick U-13 Swifts, who brushed aside Ballynahinch Olympic with a ten-goal haul on Saturday morning.

Niall Keenan and Jack Moreland both helped themselves to hat-tricks, while Darragh Burns bagged a brace and Jude Smyth and Donnchadh Bohill got in on the action with a goal apiece.

The Swifts will face tougher tests in the season ahead but it was a great start and performance from the young Downpatrick side. 

 

U-13 Colts

The Colts enjoyed an entertaining game against Celtic Bhoys Academy on Saturday morning, coming out 5-3 winners in a back and forth game.

The star of the show was Aodhan Carey who put the Colts ahead early on and he went on to get his hat-trick after a fine performance.

Downpatrick Colts’ other two scorers were Alex Herron and Leo Cullen. It was a good win for the Colts, who will use this result to build on for the season ahead.