Under 12’s Mid Ulster team in action! - Many Thanks to Pauline Toner

Today St. Oliver Plunketts travelled to the Junior Stadium to meet our Dungannon United Youth’s Under 11 team in the Northern Ireland Cup.

This match was a must win for our lads to have a chance at lifting the elusive cup at the end of the season.

Dailagh Jones once again captained the team and was instrumental in leading his players to this important win. His determination to win every ball encouraged other players to do the same.

Adam Patterson opened the scoring early on in the match which certainly helped ease the pressure and nerves that our boys must have been feeling. It was a well taken goal, ably assisted by Jordan Hazleton. Adam played the remainder of the match how he started it, never shying out of tackles and continuously putting the SOPYC defenders under pressure with his seering runs down the wing and perfect crosses into the penalty box.

Goal 2 saw Shea Gordan add to his scoring tally this season. After some scrappy play in the penalty box Shea was able to control the ball and put it passed a very promising SOPYC goal keeper.

Some fantastic interplay of football between Naoise Martin and Jordan Hazelton led to Connor Murtagh scoring the third goal. Connor stayed cool under pressure against 2 defenders to eventually put the ball in the back of the net.

The second half saw a different DUY under 11’s appear. The team seemed to sit back on their laurels and allow SOPYC to come at them and play football. The first ten minutes of the second half saw the away team score a lucky goal, chipping Gavin Corr on the goal line.

Realising that they were starting to put themselves under pressure made our lads fight harder and not allow the away team to have as much of the ball.

A fantastic free kick by Paul Donaghy found Adam Patterson just outside the penalty box. Adam connected with a perfect volley and was extremely unlucky to see the ball just inch past the post.

This was another fine performance by DUY under 11’s with Paul Donaghy, Dailagh Jones, Naoise Martin, Daniel Kerr, Adam Patterson and Shea Gordan playing some excellent football, but on this occasion Shea Gordan was awarded Man of the Match - Well done Shea. Congratulations on a good display of football.

Well done to all the team and their management on another entertaining game! Keep it going DUY under 11’s

Dungannon U-16’s 2

Cookstown U-16’s 1

On Saturday, Dungannon U-16’s took on local rivals Cookstown in a top of the table clash at the youth pitch.

Cookstown lead for most of the game and were still ahead with 3 minutes of normal time remaining, but 2 very late goals sealed victory for the home side.

Early on, play was very scrappy, players having little time on the ball with very few clear cut chances created.

Dungannon had most of the pressure, Girvan heading wide and Collins heading over. The clearest chance of the first half for the home side fell to Kelly who shot at the keeper when well placed.

Cookstown relied on their long ball tactic which caused the Dungannon defence some problems. Goodfellow had to make 2 stops from long range efforts and also saved well when the Cookstown forward was through one on one.

The away side took the lead after 25 minutes. Another long ball flicked off a Dungannon head and their number 9 raced clear, rounded the keeper and finished well.

Despite more pressure, the home side failed to find an equaliser before half time.

The second half was more of the same, scrappy with very little creativity from either side.

Indeed Cookstown had the first real chance of the half, Long clearing off the line from a header from a corner.

Dungannon had plenty of possession but created very little. Cookstown also played a frustrating game, time wasting at every opportunity.

However with time running out and a rare defeat looking inevitable, Wallace broke away on the left, he crossed from the byline, Lavery got a flick on at the near post and Fox was at the back post to scramble home.

Everyone had settled for a draw but the ‘never say die’ attitude of this Dungannon team was very much in evidence.

Cookstown’s time wasting came back to haunt them, the referee playing 4 minutes of added time.

In the very last minute of added time, Lavery escaped his marker down the left, crossed a quality ball and Ryan Mayse slotted home from 12 yards.

Total mayhem and elation on and off the pitch from the Dungannon players, coaches and supporters. Total contrast of shock and dismay among the away followers.

Cookstown barely had time to take the kick off before the final whistle blew.

The sign of a good team is not playing well but winning and this indeed was a vital win.

This week the boys have a league match at home against Ballinamallard.

DUY Under 13’s….archive photos… Thanks to Gary Boyd for providing photos

Thanks to Pauline for providing the photos!