Donegal Celtic U-16’s 2

Dungannon U-16’s 4

On Saturday 18^th April, Dungannon U-16’s played Donegal Celtic at Gordon Playing Fields, Lurgan.

Dungannon U-16’s travelled to Preston over the Easter holidays to take part in the Morecambe & Lancaster Easter Cup and duly returned home deserved winners of the competition. They played 5 matches in total over 4 days, achieving a 100% record, scoring 25 goals and conceding only 3.

Their first group match was against a Limerick team, Corbally Utd. The boys got off to a good start when Lavery finished well after a good pass from Mayse. McKenna doubled the lead midway through the half, slotting home from 12 yards after good work by Lavery on the left. Early in the second half Lavery got his second with an excellent diving header from Fox’s cross. McElroy scored the fourth after a good run and finish. Final score 4-0.

Their second group match was against Kuwait Premier and this turned out to be a very one-sided affair. The boys eventually running out 13-0 winners with goals from Lavery(3), Fox(2), Kelly(2), McElroy(2), Wallace(2), Girvan and Mayse also on target.

The third group match was against a Scottish team, Glenrothes Junior FC. It was important for the boys to win this game to be sure of finishing top of their group.

They started off slowly with very few clear cut chances being created. The breakthrough eventually came midway through the second half. A long throw from McCammon was headed on by McKenna to Arnold, who controlled the ball and finished well from 10 yards. The second goal came courtesy of a McElroy free kick from 25 yards. Final score 2-0.

The semi-final was against another Scottish team, Fauldhouse. The boys got off to a tremendous start, a brilliant run and cross from McElroy was volleyed home by Fox at the back post. The defence stood firm and limited the opponents to very few opportunities. Dungannon scored 2 further goals in the first half, both from Wallace who finished well both times when one on one with the keeper.

Tiredness seemed to take its toll in the second half, the boys conceding their first goals of the tournament, the Scottish team bringing the score back to 3-2. Indeed things could have been much worse, Goodfellow in goals making some vital saves, particularly an excellent tip over the bar from a close range header. However the boys rallied well in the closing stages and held on to deservedly take their place in the final.

The final was against Corbally Utd, the Limerick team who they had previously met in the group stage.

The boys got off to an excellent start, a deep cross from Fox found Lavery at the back post and he finished from close range. Dungannon had the majority of possession but failed to capitalise, both Wallace and McElroy hitting the wordwork. With 5 minutes of the first half remaining, Corbally equalised when the defence failed to clear a corner. It was important for the boys to hit back straight away and they duly obliged. Collins headed on a corner and McKenna stabbed home from close range. In the last minute of the half, Girvan rose high to head home a McElroy corner.

The boys remained on top during the second half and created plenty of chances, Fox and McElroy both going close, Lavery also volleying against the bar. Final score 3-1, cue massive celebrations from the team, coaches and supporters.

With 5 matches in 4 days this was very much a squad effort with every man playing his part. Full squad as follows: Declan Goodfellow, Kyle McCammon, Dale Long, Joe Collins, Martin Girvan(Capt), Brian Fox, Johnny McKenna, Ryan Mayse, Paul McElroy, Philip Wallace, Stefan Lavery, Shannon Crooks, Adam Stockdale, Dillon Arnold, Conor O’Neill, Fintan Kelly, Ryan McElroy.

Craigavon City U-16’s - 2 Dungannon U-16’s - 3

On Saturday, Dungannon U-16’s played Craigavon City in a league match at Kernan.

Dungannon did field a somewhat under strength team and as the score line suggests, it was a tough match, indeed the boys were trailing 2-1 with 6 minutes left.

Both sides found the blustery conditions difficult to cope with, passes being over hit and play overall very scrappy.

As a result very few chances were created. The first real chance fell to Craigavon after 25 mins. Their centre forward latched onto a through ball, his effort coming back off the post. Dungannon did not heed the warning and 5 mins later the same player was put through and this time he made no mistake from 12 yards. Goodfellow did get his hand to the ball but could not prevent it crossing the line.

At half time the score was 1-0 to the home side.

Coach Tate made a few changes at half time but this did not pay immediate dividends. Indeed Goodfellow brilliantly turned a rasping shot over the bar to prevent the boys going further behind. This was probably a key turning point in the match as it would have been difficult for the boys to come back from a 2 goal deficit.

The introduction of Collins at midfield also made a big impact and Dungannon began to play much better, controlled football, with some good chances now being created.

Lavery missed from close range from a Wallace cross and Arnold shot wide when well placed. A brilliant run and shot from Lavery also produced an excellent save from the Craigavon keeper.

The equaliser eventually came with 15 mins remaining. An accurate through ball from Lavery found Arnold unmarked and he finished from 12 yards.

Dungannon did not capitalise on this dominant period of play and inexplicably fell behind with 8 mins to go. A cross from the left found the Craigavon forward unmarked and he headed the ball goalward from what looked like an offside position, Goodfellow did get his hand to it and despite the best efforts of Stockdale also, the ball found the back of the net.

The never say die attitude of this team then came to the fore, every man working hard in an effort to turn the result around, and this duly paid dividends.

With 6 mins remaining, a long throw found Collins in the box, he turned his marker and unleashed an unstoppable shot into the roof of the net, 2-2.

Most teams would have settled for a draw at this stage, but not this side.

They kept pressing for the winner and were duly rewarded in the last minute of normal time. A fine pass by McElroy found Wallace in the box and he kept his composure to finish coolly from 10 yards. Final score 3-2.

Not one of the teams better performances but you cannot fault their determination, fighting spirit and will to win.

This is a big week for the boys. They play Deanby on Tuesday 7th April in the semi final of the NI Cup and then head to Preston on Thursday 9^th April for the Easter tournament.

Dungannon U-16’s 3

Glenavon U-16’s 0

On Saturday, Dungannon U-16’s played Glenavon at White City.

This was an important match as the result counted towards both the league and the first round of the knock out cup.

There was a very strong breeze and, having won the toss, the boys elected to play with it in the first half.

Very few clear cut chances were created by the home side early on with passes being over hit and ball control proving difficult in the conditions.

Dungannon had the majority of possession and did create a few chances late on in the half. The Glenavon keeper made a brilliant save from Arnold’s effort and the same player shaved the top of the bar from a 25 yard free kick. Lavery also had an excellent long range effort which went narrowly wide.

At half time the score was 0-0.

The boys played much better in the second half against the breeze, but the vital breakthrough would not come.

With 20 minutes remaining, coach Tate made some personnel and positional changes, and this immediately paid dividends.

A long ball from Collins was flicked on by Lavery and McElroy nipped in to finish coolly past the on rushing keeper.

5 minutes later it was 2-0. An excellent run by Fox on the wing took him past 2 defenders and into the box. His pass found McElroy who showed great composure before finishing neatly into the corner.

Again the defence was rock solid and limited the away team to very few opportunities.

The third and decisive goal came with 5 minutes remaining. From a Glenavon clearance, McKenna controlled the ball in midfield and found McCammon on the right, he moved in field and unleashed a left foot shot which came off the bar, and the alert Girvan was on hand to head home the rebound.

A very hard fought victory, every man playing his part in difficult conditions.

This Saturday the boys have an away league match against Craigavon City.

Their opponents in the NI cup semi final will be Deanby, a date and venue for this match to be confirmed.

Dungannon U-16’s 4 - 0 Institute U-16’s

On Saturday, Dungannon U-16’s took on Institute in the quarter final of the NI Cup at White City and came away with a well deserved 4-0 win.

The boys got off to a tremendous start, scoring inside the first minute. A great through ball from McCammon found Wallace on the right and his cross was swept home by Lavery from 8 yards.

The home side had the majority of possession but could not find that vital second goal. They went very close on 2 occasions, Collins had a header from a corner cleared off the line and the away goalkeeper saved McElroy’s effort from point blank range.

Institute did create a few chances of their own. A sloppy back pass let in their number 9, who thankfully shot wide, and minutes later the same player hit the post when well placed.

The home side finished the half on top but at half time the lead was still a slender 1-0.

The vital second goal came early in the second half. McKenna’s accurate pass found Wallace on the edge of the box, his strength and balance saw off 2 challenges and he finished coolly into the corner of the net.

The third soon followed and it was classic counter attack football. From an Institute corner, the ball was cleared to Wallace who broke down the right. His cross was met by Arnold, who had raced the length of the field, and he made no mistake from 12 yards.

After this Dungannon played some neat, one touch football, their priority to keep a clean sheet.

A fourth goal did come with 2 minutes remaining, a well taken McCammon penalty after Wallace had been dragged back in the box.

A brilliant hard working display from the boys, the final score confirming their superiority throughout the game. They now await their semi-final opponents