Dungannon Swifts under 16s played their first game in five weeks when they played Armagh City in a top of the table clash at the White City on Saturday. Armagh went in to the game with a one point advantage over the swifts at the top of the table and started brightly with a half chance in the 8th minute but was easily dealt with by swifts keeper Conor Brennan. The Swifts started to take control of the game and started to move the ball about well but couldnt find the net until Paul McElroy took a pass from James Haughey in the middle of the field and went on a run taking the ball around five Armagh players and rifled the ball into the net to give the Swifts a 1 nil lead with 15 minutes gone.

The Swifts playing some good football then scored their second 2 minutes later when a pinpoint Daryl Magee corner found the head of Daniel McNulty who found the top corner of the Armagh net 2-0. The swifts started to get a bit sloppy after the goal with a few passes going astray and City picked up on this when they intercepted a pass and scored a great goal which got them back in the game just before the half swifts 2 city 1.

The second half started with both teams knowing that the next goal was vital and there was some good football from both teams but neither could find the net. With 15 minutes to go a fine run up the right wing by Matthew walsh who was having an outstanding game at right back crossed the ball for McNulty to score his second and te swifts third. At this point the city players dropped their heads after playing so well in the game and the swifts scored again when McNulty grabbed his hat-trick after some fine work from Deasun Quinn and Oisin McGuire.

Final score Dungannon Swifts u16s 4 Armagh City 1.

After the game swifts manager David Magee who was in a jubilent mood after the game said “It was a great game of football and both teams played their part in that but i thought overall we were the better team. It was our first game in 5 weeks and the lads were raring to go but we also knew that it would take time to setttle into the game  after the lay off but fair play to the lads they played their hearts out and i have to give a mention to Matthew Walsh who i thought played his best game ever in a youth jersey.”

Best for the swifts were James Haughey Paul McElroy and Deasun Quinn but man of the match was Matthew Walsh who just edged out hat-trick hero Daniel McNulty who went home with the match ball.

Next up for the young swifts is an away game to Magherafelt Sky Blues in the Northern Ireland cup.

All deposits for the Easter trip to Preston has to be in by Saturday any money not in by then will not be going on the trip.

Dungannon swifts u16s started off a busy week with a league game against Annagh on Wednesday night at Junior Stadium. Goals from Jake Ferguson,Jack Lavery, Ryan McElroy a hat-trick from James Haughey and a wonder strike from Timothy Graham saw the Swifts go a point clear at the top of the table with a comfortable 7-0 win.
“It was a good team performance from the lads especially in the first half when we played some great football and worked really hard and got our rewards with a good win and them all important 3 points that send us back to the top of the league.” said Assistant Gaffer Darryl McConnell. Best for the swifts were Darragh Kavanagh, skipper Niall Kelly and man of the match Paul McElroy who tormented the Annagh defence all the way through the game.
 
Next up for the young Swifts was the first round of the Northern Ireland cup against Bangor Swifts at Newtownards on Saturday (13.12.09) where the goals kept coming and Dungannon ran out easy winners with a 5-0 victory with goals from Danny McNulty(2) , Daryl Magee,Paul McElroy and Deasun Quinn. Coach Terry McCrory was pleased with how the game went “This game rounded off a good week for the lads going top of the league and progressing to the next stage of the northern cup. The last 2 games have shown real improvement in the team and we know we still have a way to go but it is encourging and to have 9 different players score in 2 games is a great return.” Best for the swifts were Matthew Walsh, Jake Ferguson, Deasun Quinn and man of the match James Haughey who controlled the midfield.
 
Training continues in coalisland on wed night 6.45. On behalf of the management and the players of the swifts u16s we would like to wish team members paul mcelroy and conor brennen all the best when they go to leicester city football club for a weeks trail all the best lads.

DUY U11’s returned to action this week after a five week layoff for the “transfer tests” their latest fixture was their 3rd  away league game of this season against Seagoe Boys at Lurgan Public Park. You would have expected after this long layoff that both teams would be very rusty but they both started the game well,  passing and playing some attractive football. DUY always looked that little bit sharper and began to assert a lot of pressure on the Seagoe goals. Dylan O’Hagan got on the end of flowing move to open the scoring. Oran Mallon with some great fullback play put in cross after cross with Tyler Blair, Cameron McMullan and Adam Patterson all tucking away their chances. Robbie Brown as usual patrolling the midfield area then set up Cameron for his second of the game with a thunderous left foot drive. At the other end any trouble was quickly averted and when the Seagoe winger looked odds on to score Emmett Hughes put in a goal saving tackle. After a good move down the left with the midfield swopping passes Cameron McMullan squared the ball for Dylan O’Hagan to coolly slot home. The next goal was a rasping shot from Oran Mallon he cut in from the right and hit the top corner. This was quickly followed by another Tyler Blair instinctive strike. DUY were now passing and controlling all the play but Seagoe never gave up fighting. Half time whistle was blown 8-0 to DUY.

Coach Davy Tate then made a few changes and DUY came out with the same commitment as the first half. Arnas Irzikevilius strong running continued to cause problems on the right side and Micheal Conroy showing some great wing play on the left. The reshuffled team also saw Matthew Gibson , Jake Montgomery and Peter Beacham make promising contributions to the team. Goals still kept coming with Adam Patterson scored his 2^nd with a shot from the edge of the box. Seagoe then had a great period of play with their No7 causing problems with his pace but his efforts on goal were both saved well Josh Willis keeping his clean sheet in tact. The forward partnership of Dylan and Tyler were causing Seagoe all sorts of problems with both getting two more goals apiece to complete the scoring.

Great credit to Seagoe for fighting all the way and never giving up. DUY controlled the game well and continued their impressive form after such a long layoff  well done lads next match is a top of the table class with Dromore Amateurs at Kernan playing fields.