This year’s Killyleagh Summer Football League kicked off for a new season last Wednesday night.
It was the coldest-ever Maytime start for the league, with boys and girls — along with their parents — battling the chilly conditions at the Bridge Centre Playing Fields.
Despite the cold weather, there were goals galore and many skilful performances across all four sections playing over four pitches.
The league is now on course to celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2028, making it the oldest and longest-running youth league in the Down district.
The summer scheme is open to boys and girls of primary school age and pre-school age, from four years old upwards, and takes place each Wednesday night at the Bridge playing fields. The next round of games is tonight (Wednesday 20 April).
Tinies
New boy Theo Gurr was the star performer on a night filled with brilliant displays in the tinies section.
Theo top-scored, while there were also standout performances from Conor Grieves, Archie Brown, Caleb Taylor, Shayne Ross and Cadin McGreeghan-Kayes.
For the girls, Ember Clarke, Lily Kearney, Phoebe Nelson, Amelia Green and Aoife Brown starred.
The penalty kings were Shayne Ross and Theo Gurr, while Ember Clarke was crowned penalty queen.
Minors
The P2 and P3 girls and boys enjoyed the return of the league’s minor section.
Standout players among the girls were Haliya Russell and Arabella Thompson, who ran the wings and tackled everywhere. Lottie Nelson was outstanding in goals.
Among the boys, the standout players were Regan Pickering and Carson McClurg, who controlled midfield. Leo McCormick and Charlie Woodside worked tirelessly and were seen all over the pitch.
The penalty queen was Haliya Russell, with Lorcan Northrop taking the title of penalty king after both eventually overcame excellent goalkeeping from Roxy Morrow.
Juniors
Theo Gordon was the player in form in the junior section.
There were some quality goals, although there would likely have been even more were it not for Gordon’s outstanding goalkeeping performances.
The junior penalty queen was Eva Gurr, while the kings were Zac Foy, James Brown and Adam Ross.
Seniors
There were stars all over the pitch in the senior section, although the biting cold wind made conditions difficult for everyone involved.
Special mention went to the girls who braved the winter-like weather and more than held their own: Seren Carr, Bella Henderson, Molly Quigley, Charlotte Carr, Rose Keenan, Hope Morrow, Violet Woodside and Maddison Quigley.
The senior penalty queens were Rose Keenan and Hope Morrow after two extra rounds were needed to separate the final four contestants. The runners-up were Seren Carr and Maddison Quigley.
The kings were Lucas Bradley, Jack McCourt, Conrad Henry and James Kearney.
Final registrations for the new season take place from 6.30pm tonight at the Bridge Centre playing fields, with action beginning at 7pm for tinies, minors and juniors. The seniors will kick off at 8pm.
The registration fee is £10, with each additional child costing £5.
Parents are asked to keep an eye on the Killyleagh Summer League Facebook page for regular updates on weather and fixtures, especially on Wednesdays. On nights of very heavy rain, there will be no action.
Seren Carr (left) and Maddison Quigley.
