Paul Donaghy, Shea Gordon, Daniel Kerr and Naoise Martin were invited to Belfast last Monday and Tuesday evening to take part in the trials with Liverpool Academy. Both nights saw the boys perform well under the watchful eye of 2 coaches from Liverpool that had come over especially to view the Northern Ireland talent, as well as the normal academy coaches.

Congratulations to all the boys on such a great performance and for representing Dungannon United Youth so admirably at these trials and fingers crossed they will be hearing from the coaches in the LIverpool Academy soon.

Well done boys.

Dungannon United Youth Annual Presentation dinner took place last Friday evening in the Ryandale, Moy.

It was an evening of celebration for all the teams who participated in either the Mid Ulster Youth League or the National Youth League this season. There was a phenomenal turn out of approximately 300 players, parents and supporters as well as star guests Rodney McAree, Darren Murphy, Johnny Montgomery, Christopher Hegerty and Dennis McElhatton.

Joe McAree, Chairman of Dungannon United Youth officiated the presentation, welcoming everyone and congratulating all the players on yet another successful season.

The Awards presented were for:

· Top Goal Scorer

· Most Improved Player

· Player of the Year

The hard task fell to each of the coaches to decide the players who were to receive the awards. David Tate, Under 16 Swifts Coach started the proceedings.

Under 16 Swifts Winners (Managed by David Tate)

Top Goal Scorer: Stefan Lavery

Most Improved Player: Brian Fox

Player of the Year: Shannon Crooks

Under 15’s Mid Ulster Winners (Managed by David Magee)

Top Goal Scorer: Tiernan McKay

Most Improved Player: Daire Martin

Player of the Year: Sean Molloy

Under 14’s National Winners (Managed by Karle Farquahar)

Top Goal Scorer: Kevin Curran

Most Improved Player: Rian McHugh

Player of the Year: Garbhan McManus

Under 13’s National Winners (Managed by Gary Boyd)

Top Goal Scorer: Matthew McIlvenna

Most Improved Player: Ross Lavery

Player of the Year: Matthew Young

Under 13’s Mid Ulster Winners (Managed by Gary Maguire)

Top Goal Scorer: Ben Nixon

Most Improved Player: Daniel Moore

Player of the Year: Donal Mallon

Under 12’s National Winners (Managed by Kieran “Pudgie” Robinson)

Top Goal Scorer: Ryan Coleman

Most Improved Player: Craig Gibson

Player of the Year: Lorcan Mallon

Under 12’s Mid Ulster Winners (Managed by Jason Toner)

Top Goal Scorer: Conor Campbell/Caolan Mulgrew

Most Improved Player: Nathan Comick

Player of the Year: Gary Molloy

Under 11’s Mid Ulster Winners (Managed by Joe McAree and Tony Courtney)

Top Goal Scorer: Paul Donnelly

Most Improved Player: Paul Donaghy

Player of the Year: Naoise Martin

Colts Winners (Managed by Paul Crilly)

Top Goal Scorer: Dylan O’Hagan

Most Improved Player: Tyler Blair

Player of the Year: Robbie Brown

This year’s Achievement Award went to Daryl Magee who played this season with the Under 15’s Mid Ulster Team.

Congratulations to all the winners of awards!

Special thanks to the Ryandale for putting on such a lovely meal for all the DUY guests, to Donnelly Bros for continuing to sponsor the DUY teams, to The Glackins for providing such great music and entertainment for the evening. Thanks also to Mary and Gerry Small from Greystone Builders Merchants and Podge Quinn from Quinn’s Corner for donating prizes for the raffle.

Thanks to all the coaches of Dungannon United Youth for all their hard work this year and good luck for next year. Many thanks also to Dixie Robinson, Joe McAree and Carol McAree for all they do!

It was a week of highs and lows for Dungannon United Youth Under 11’s. Tuesday night saw them meet with Armagh City to play out the final of the Mid Ulster Youth League. Both teams finished equally on points at the top of this year’s table - so they had to play for a third time this season to decide who would be crowned Mid Ulster Champions.

The teams met at Gortgonis Playing Field in Coalisland and Dungannon started as they meant to go on - attacking City’s defence immediately and played some excellent football. Their hard work and tenacity was rewarded early on in the game with DUY’s number 16, Adam Patterson opening Dungannon’s scoring with a fantastic run down the right side of the field, beating Armagh’s defence and securing a goal. Goal two followed very shortly with Gavin Corr hitting the back of Armagh’s net.

Dungannon had full control of the game - scoring a further four goals on the remaining first half. The goal scorers were Paul Donnelly (2), Daniel Kerr and Dalaigh Jones.

The second half say no more goals from either side. Dungannon maintained a lot of the possession right up to the final blow of the whistle.

DUY were awarded the Mid Ulster League Cup ensuring their place in the National League next season.

Man of the Match was awarded to Daniel Kerr, although all of the Dungannon under 11’s played with flair and determination. Congratulations Daniel!

Saturday saw the same two teams meet again. This time for the Mid Ulster Knock Out Cup Final, in Kernan, Portadown. The game started as it finished - messy and bitty, with not much free flowing football evident from either side. Dungannon hit the post on two occasions in the first half, but they were unable to make their play count. Frustration was evident on the the part of DUY and Armagh City were able to capitalise on this and score a goal before half time. Unfortunately for the DUY boys - the same team come out for the second half. They allowed their opposition too much of the ball, were hesitant in clearing any potential threats and were unable to make any of their attempts on goal count. Their normal style of football had left them entirely. Decisions that should have gone their way - were not given and eventually, late on in the second half, Armagh beat the DUY goal keeper once again - bringing the score to 2 - 0, which was the result when the final whistle blew. Armagh City were winners of the Mid Ulster KOC. Congratulations to Armagh.

DUY’s man of the match was awarded to Paul Donaghy for his hardwork throughtout the final. Well done Paul!

Congratulations must go to Dungannon United Youth Under 11’s for such a phenomenal season. They exceeded all expectations - firstly winning the trophy in the Under 12s group in the Preston Easter Cup Competition, then secondly, defeating Linfield 2 - 0 to become 2009 Northern Ireland Champions and thirdly, being crowned Mid Ulster League Champions.

This group of lads are testament to an unbelievable coaching team at Dungannon United Youth who work tirelessly witht he young people of Dungannon to produce excellent footballers.

Joe McAree, Tony Courtney and Dixie Robinson have all been so prolific in developing a committed, hardworking group of boys who week in, week out, show their dedication and passion in representing Dungannon in football.

Well done Dungannon United Youth Under 11’s - you’ve done us all proud!

Dungannon U-16’s 3 Ballinamallard U-16’s 1

(After Extra Time)

Dungannon U-16’s took on Ballinamallard on Monday night in the semi final of the knock out cup.

What a classic encounter it turned out to be, Dungannon proving the stronger and emerging deserved winners after extra time.

The match was played in Omagh, the pitch surface was poor after a long season, and this did not allow Dungannon to play their usual passing game.

The boys had the majority of the play in the first half but created very few clear cut chances, McElroy fired over after a good run and cross from Wallace, McKenna also heading over from an Arnold corner. Half time 0-0.

The second half was more of the same, Dungannon having most of the possession but finding it difficult to break down a packed Ballinamallard defence.

The clearest chance fell to Lavery who turned well in the box, only to see his shot come off the post.

Ballinamallard created one good chance, when their midfielder shot wide when well placed.

The breakthrough came with 2 minutes of normal time left. Lavery broke away on the left and found his way into the box, the Ballinamallard defender committed a rash tackle from behind and a penalty was awarded. McCammon stepped up and coolly slotted home the pressure spot kick.

However from the kick off, the boys seem to lose their concentration and allowed the Ballinamallard forward in to equalise.

1-1 after normal time, 5 minutes each way of extra time.

In the first period Dungannon had all the possession and this pressure finally paid off when McCammon headed home at the near post from a McElroy corner.

Ballinamallard came forward in the second period, but the defence stood firm, Goodfellow in goals also making an excellent save low down at his near post.

The win was sealed very late on with the decisive third goal. McKenna won a header in midfield which fell to Lavery and his well placed shot from 18 yards beat the keeper.

The final whistle was met with a mixture of both relief and celebration.

An excellent hard working performance over the 80 minutes from all the boys and a well deserved victory.

They now go on to meet Cookstown in the final, a date and venue to be arranged.

Dungannon United Youth met with Linfield F.C on 16th May 2009 in Ulidia Playing Fields, Belfast for the final of the Northern Ireland Cup.

Dungannon’s journey into the final saw them meet and beat Templepatrick Alexander, St. Oliver Plunketts Youth Club, Corpus Christi and Glendowan, conceding 2 goals and netting 13.

Linfield was never going to be an easy match. Their winning streak in their league and their reputation proved that, but as always, our Dungannon United Youth Under 11’s relish a challenge and went to Belfast with the drive and determination to bring the Northern Ireland Cup back home with them to Dungannon.

Right from the initial blow of the whistle, DUY came out fighting, mounting pressure on the Linfield defence and within 2 minutes Paul Donnelly had put Dungannon in the lead with his well placed goal.

Dungannon raised their game further and were rewarded with a second goal within a short amount of time, scored this time by Shea Gordon.

Linfield tested the Dungannon defence on a few occasions, but all attempts were dealt with by the DUY defence and goal keeper, Jordan Hazleton did brilliantly when needed, to pull of some excellent saves.

The second half saw attempts made on both ends of the pitch, but no goals scored. The Dungannon United Under 11 team fought hard and were justly rewarded winners of the 2009 Northern Ireland Cup for the Under 11 Category.

Congratulations to Shea Gordon who was awarded Man of the Match for his excellent display of football in this NI Final. Well done Shea.

Considering the Dungannon boys are all home grown and had to beat a very strong Linfield team containing some of the countries top players - this win must go down as the clubs greatest ever!

This victory is testament to the hard work and quality coaching of everyone involves with DUY.

Praise and thanks has to go to Joe McAree and Tony Courtney for their organisation and belief in the DUY under 11 team. Their attention to detail in training these group of boys have created a solid and committed team.

The support of the parents and fans have shown this team throughout this season has been nothing short of amazing and this result is surely as precious to them as it is to the players and coaching team.

Dungannon United Youth continues to produce quality players from the local community and long may that success continue.

DUY under 11’s have 2 more finals to play this week. Firstly they are meeting Armagh in the Mid Ulster League Play off on Tuesday 19th May 2009 and secondly they will be meeting Armagh again in the Mid Ulster Knock Out Cup Final (date to be confirmed!) Good luck with these matches lads.

2 down - 2 to go! You can do it!