U17C Football Championship
Kickham’s Ardoyne 3-11 Naomh Padraig 0-8
Photographs & Report (Brian McKee)
It was clear from the beginning that league form was not going to be a factor in this U17 C Football championship quarter final game between Ardoyne Kickham’s and St Patrick’s Lisburn. Ardoyne set out the challenge facing Lisburn in the first minute of this very entertaining game that attracted a sizeable crowd to Fennell Park. A great piece of high fielding by Fionntan Lagan in the Ardoyne midfield led to the first attack of the game being awarded with a point from a free by Anton Beattie.
Lisburn quickly responded by setting down their own marker with a point from a 30 yard free by Rudi Smyth. Smyth followed up on his initial point with another point from play with a magnificent kick from 30 yards.
Cormac Barnes in the Ardoyne half forward line was in top form and in the 5th minute set off on a strong solo run that led to a free, again converted by Odhran McKee. St Patrick’s Smyth had his shooting boots on and again converted after Ardoyne were penalised for overcarrying.
Ardoyne were determined to establish supremacy and an intricate interplay between James McAuley and Cormac Barnes saw Barnes put the ball over the bar for a fine point from play. Cormac Barnes was again pivotal in the Ardoyne attack when he caught a ‘45’ and flicked it on to Fintan Corr for a further point from play.
Michael Maguire was giving an exhibition in assured handling and he provided a steady bridge between half backs and half forwards for Ardoyne. James McAuley was coming more and more into the game and in the 20th minute a strong forward run provoked a foul on the 21 yard line that was again converted by the reliable McKee.
Lisburn were not for lying down and at this stage were giving as good they were getting with the strength of Rudi Smyth in the full forward line proving vital for the men in yellow and blue. A point from a free was followed quickly by another point from play by McLaughln as he drove through the Ardoyne defence.
Cormac Barnes finished off a top class first half display with a goal in the 27th minute of play that saw the net bulging for the first time.
Half-time score: Ardoyne 1-06 St Patrick’s Lisburn 0-05
Lisburn were the first to raise the white flag in the second half with a Smyth point from play in the first minute after the restart. James McAuley was starting to dominate the game at this stage and a handpass to Fionntan Lagan led to a further point for the Ardoyne boys. St Patrick’s were still well in the game at this stage, but a ‘45’ in the 7th minute of the second half for Ardoyne ended in the hands of Cormac Barnes who rattled the back of the St Patrick’s net.
St Patrick’s responded again with a lovely piece of interplay that ended in a point by Anton Beattie. At the halfway stage of the second half, James McAuley and Brendan Mailey were gaining dominance outfield for the Ardoyne lads and they were ably backed up by Ethan Magill, Michael Maguire and Eoin Fennell at heart of the Ardoyne defence, and in the 20th minute a superb point by Padraig McMaster emphasised that the game was now being controlled by the boys in black and white.
A further goal from Brendan Mailey signalled the end of St Patrick’s dogged resistance. The introduction of Aidan Mailey in the second half gave the Ardoyne selectors plenty to think about as he set about his work like a man on a mission and gave a great display of composure and skill.
Rudi Smyth with 5 points ably led the St Patrick’s lads assisted by Ray Brady (0-2) and Charlie McLaughlin (0-1). Special mention must be given to in the St Patrick’s nets who pulled off some great saves and was not at fault for any of the Ardoyne goals.
Ardoyne: Daniel Watson, Emmet Corry, Ethan Magill, Oisin McCloskey, Michael Maguire, Brendan Mailey (1-0), Eoin Fennell, Finnen Wall, Odhran McKee (0-05), Olibhear Cory, James Og McAuley, Fionntan Lagan, Fionntan Corr (0-3), Cormac Barnes (2-01) , Padraig McMaster (0-1), Aidan Quigg (0-1)
St Patrick’s: Oliver Carvill, Eoghan Oakes, Jack Murray, Peter McLean, Rian Gallagher, Jude Rafferty, Caide McLaren, Tomas Clarke, Anton Beattie, Ray Brady, Charlie Dooley McLaughlin, Conall Gorman, Aidan Kerr, Rudi Smyth, Oisin Crossey
U17C Football Championship Round Up
In the other games played in the U17C Championship at the weekend Naomh Brid 2nd’s had a big win over St. Teresa’s and go forward to meet Tir na nOg in the semi-final. Rasharkin edged out Naomh Comhghall in Antrim and face what looks like a difficult assignment when they travel to meet Ardoyne at Cliftonville. (Both Games 9th October)
Full Results U17C Championship
Ardoyne 3-11 Naomh Padraig 0-8
Naomh Comhghall 0-10 Rasharkin 1-9
Naomh Brid 7-8 St. Teresa’s 2-10