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.

Dungannon Swifts u16s continued their unbeaten start to the season with a 5-0 win over Lurgan side Glenavon. The swifts started the game really well and had plenty of the ball but couldn’t find a way through a stubborn Glenavon defence. With 15 minutes gone the swifts got a corner and a great delivery from Daryl Magee found the head of Jake Ferguson to give the swifts a 1-0 lead and that score stayed the same to the half. The swifts took the game to Glenavon right from the restart and a corner this time from the right from skipper Niall Kelly deceived everybody and went straight into the net 2-0 to the swifts. Dungannon kept the pressure on and a fine strike from outside the box by Sean Molloy who was having a great game at right back found the net again to make it 3-0. The swifts then made five changes to the team for the last 25 minutes and the lads eager to make an impression done very well and the swifts kept playing flowing football with a further two goals coming from substitutes Oisin McGuire and Kelvin Campbell to leave the score 5-0 to the Swifts.

Assistant manager Darryl McConnell said after the match “it was a good performance from the lads today we haven’t been playing that well at times during the season but the must important thing is that we are still unbeaten and it was a good test against Glenavon we showed for the ball well scored 5 and kept a clean sheet what more can we ask for.” Best for the swifts today were Sean Molloy, Niall Kelly and Deasun Quinn but man of the match was Darragh Kavanagh who was very good throughout and its good to see his cousin Wardy making his comeback for the first team against Linfield on Saturday after being out injured for the past few weeks. Training continues on Wednesday night in Coalisland 6.45.

Yet again this week the mid-ulster youth league fixtures were wiped out with bad weather, so we will try it all again this week with a home fixture at junior stadium against lurgan side glenavon kick-off 10.30am. all support welcome. With less than 3 weeks left until we travel to Bangor Swifts to play in the first round of the northern ireland cup the next few games and training sessions are very important starting with training on wednesday night 6.45 at coalisland. If any players are interested in going to preston at easter deposits must be paid for before December 9th to secure your place and thats for players and any parent that wants to travel with us. Dungannon swifts u16s would also like to welcome back to the squad Paul McElroy, Conor Brennen and Luke McCullough who were on international duty in the victory shield for Northern Ireland schoolboys a welcome addition weather its for the 16s, 18s, reserves or they might even stake a place in the first team welcome back lads.