NORTHERN IRELAND BOYS F.A CUP COMPETITION 2009/2010

Dungannon Swifts u16s went top of the mid ulster league with a 5-2 victory over sunnyside on Saturday. It was a game that started off very sluggish for the swifts as we were second to every ball and coulndnt get into the game and the swifts paid the price when a calamity of mistakes let sunnyside in for their opening goal,a missed tackle by Matthew Walsh on the wing let the Sunnyside player in where he brushed aside Jake Ferguson to get his shot away which the swifts keeper tamely palmed away into the path of the striker who had the simple task of tapping the ball into the net 1-0.

You would have thought this would have sparked the swifts into life but still they were second to every ball and couldnt get control of the game until a mistake at the back from sunnyside allowed Sean Molloy to hammer the ball home to even things up on the scoreline.

The swifts upped the game a notch and two further goals from Molloy for his hat-trick led his team into the halftime break 3-1 up.The swifts started the second half with an air of belief about themselves and should have stetched their lead with close range shots from Niall kelly and Daniel McNulty being cleared of the line, but a lapse on concentration again let sunnyside in when a weak shot went straight through keeper Daire Martin’s legs 3-2 to the Swifts.

With ten minutes left the Swifts were holding on but couldnt find a way through with still chances going abegging and it took until the last few minutes off the game to seal the points with goals from skipper Niall Kelly and midfield dynamo Deasun Quinn.

Full Time: SWIFTS 5 SUNNYSIDE 2.

The Swifts U16 Manager Magee who was in mixed mood after the game said ‘It was a poor performance we just couldnt get into the game and fair play to Sunnyside they really gave us a game and the scoreline doesnt reflect how the game went, it was a bit flattering to be honest. We can take a few positives out of the game like Molloys hat-trick and the performance of Deasun Quinn who I thought was immense in centre midfield and Daryl and Wardy were good on the left and not forgetting that we now top the league and hope to stay there. We will put that game to bed now and hopefully kick on from here and start stringing together a few good performances and see where it takes us”.

Training continues on wed night 6.45 in coalisland.

The draw for the Northern Ireland Cup took place this week and the Swifts u16s face a tricky away game against Ballygowan on 12th of December.

Well done also to Swifts player Paul McElroy who was away on a trial this week with the English Premier League side Hull FC.  Hope all went well

DUY U11’s latest fixture was their first league game away from home this season against Donegal Celtic at Gordon playing fields Lurgan. The game started in very windy and wet conditions and both teams struggled to get control. After 10 minutes the DUY began to spread the ball and bringing both wingers into the match. The deadlock was broken when Cameron McMullan with a great run down the left crossed to find Tyler Blair at the back post. Oran Mallon in his unfamiliar midfield roll then took over and scored two great solo goals taking on and beating the Donegal Celtic defence with some great sill. Some great interplay down the left saw a great shot by Emmett Hughes headed off the line but Tyler Blair was again on hand to blast home. The DUY winger Arnas Irzikevilius was causing Donegal Celtic all sorts of problems with his strong running and after another great run and cross from the right Jack Madden fed Tyler Blair in to complete his hatrick. Donegal Celtic tried hard to get back in the match before the half but any danger was quickly halted by Joel Little and stand in sweeper Daniel Courtney. Half time whistle was blown 5-0 to DUY.

Coach Davy Tate then made a couple of changes and DUY came out with the same commitment as the first half. Arnas Irzikevilius strong run and cross was met at the back post by Oran Mallon to complete a well deserved hatrick. He nearly added another when a great shot was deflected into the net by the defender. The DUY midfield was now controlling the action with Robbie Brown and Adam Patterson tackling hard and spreading the play well. Adam latched onto another cross from the right for another great goal. We didn’t have to wait long for the next goal Cameron McMullan’s strong run and powerful shot was reward for his strong performance. Dylan O’Hagan then showed his finishing skills with a great sharp turn and shot quickly followed by a great run and shot to complete the scoring.

DUY deserve great credit for a controlled game in tricky conditions and for all keeping their heads cool while being on the end of some aggressive tackling and incidents from the opposition. Coach Davy Tate said after the match “ This was a great opportunity to test the depth of the squad and they didn’t let us down” . Well done lads next match away to Banbridge Youth (LPP).