DUY U12 National Team took on Sion Swifts at the Junior Stadium in Dungannon last Saturday. DUY were quick to take control of the match and were rewarded by an early goal thanks to Paul Donnelly. The game was in places scrappy but thanks to an error by the opposition goal keeper, Dungannon scored their second goal, converted by Deane Kane.

Half time came and the score remained 2 – 0 in Dungannon’s favour. The team remained the same for the start of the second half, but very quickly you could see the half time team talk from manager Joe McAree had been listened to by his young players as they started to produce a better standard of football. Sion Swifts found it difficult to penetrate a very strong Dungannon defence and good midfield work between Daniel Kerr and Shea Gordon soon saw them reap the benefits when both midfield players scored to put Dungannon 4 – 0 in the lead. During this time, Joe Mac and his assistant Tony Courtney made some changes, giving runs out to their five subs.

With ten minutes remaining substitute Gavin Corr scored the fifth and final goal bringing the final score to 5 – 0.

Manager Joe Mc Aree said after the match that he thought his team were a little sluggish in the first half, not having played a match last week, but that we deserved the three point.

Man of the Match was awarded to Centre Back Paul Donaghy for his excellent performance.

This week’s match was sponsored by Granville VIVO. Many thanks to Pamela and her staff for their support to DUY Under 12 National League Team.

DUY U12 Nationals next match is against Carniny Youth at Mallusk.

Driving down the motorway

A train of 15 cars.

Going to play Linfield blues,

In Suffolk, their back yard.

A repeat of last years NI cup,

With Linfield gunning for a win.

The boys dug deep with determined strength,

And spirit from within.

Half time came and still nil – nil,

The boys praised for working hard.

Another half as good as this,

A win is on the cards.

The second half began the same,

We surely deserved reward.

Super Donnelly hit the net,

Drilling low and hard.

Now Linfield woke and raised their game,

Fought back and scored a well hit shot.

Then the turning moment came,

The ref pointed to the spot

A penalty to Linfield, despair was felt by all

But Joe was giving his advice

“Tom just watch that ball”

Tom saved so well

And held on tight

Til danger was all clear

Our team now played with strength renewed

Helped by all the cheers

Our boys now knew that they could win

And played with skill and flair

A penalty to DUY

Up stepped Daniel Kerr

With nerves of steel – he hit it home

And left Linfield in despair

And now the end – we won 2 – 1

A score that was just right

We fought, we passed, we played with skill

The future’s looking bright

Sunday past saw DUY U12 National League Team take on the league leaders Linfield in Belfast. This was to prove to be the best game the Dungannon boys have played so far this season. It was a replay of the Northern Ireland Cup Final in May, which the Dungannon lads won. The Dungannon team knew that this match would find Linfield coming out to exact revenge.

The game got off to a lively start with Dungannon pushing forward looking for an early goal. Some good passing moves in mid field led the DUY strikers into the Linfield penalty area, only to be denied by a very good and solid keeper. The Linfield players seemed to be struggling with the strength and determination that the Dungannon boys were showing and the majority of the pressure in the first half was definitely coming from the Dungannon side. Unfortunately the U12’s were not able to capitalise on the amount of pressure being applied and half time approached with the sides level at nil nil.

Joe Mc Aree and his assistant Tony Courtney had encouraging words for their players during the half time team talk, which led to the Dungannon boys coming out in the second half with renewed energy and the self believe that they were capable of beating the best that Belfast has to offer.

Paul Donnelly, up front ran tirelessly trying to break down the home team’s defence, continuously putting their defenders under insurmountable pressure and his reward came quickly into the second half when he struck a perfect right footed shot into the goal. This led to jubilant celebrations from players, managers and travelling supporters alike. The shock of being a goal behind seemed to rejuvenate the Linfield players and they slowly pulled themselves back into the game. The DUY team seemed to sit back at this point and tried desperately to weather the storm but as so often happens in games like this, Linfield drew level with a well taken goal. The Linfield management were pushing their team on for the win and their players were responding when a Linfield forward, in what looked to be an off side position was taken down in the Dungannon penalty box. The referee pointed to the spot to the dismay of all the Dungannon supporters. DUY Goal keeper Tom McDermott stood tall and denied Linfield the lead with a phenomenal save. Divine justice perhaps?

Joe Mc Aree was not prepared to let his young team settle for a point. He drove them on with continuous instruction from the sideline and to this they responded. With ten minutes remaining, striker Paul Donnelly was taken down in the Linfield box and DUY were awarded a penalty. Dan “the man” Kerr, cool as a cucumber, stepped forward to take the kick. Not a flicker of emotion and with nerves of steel he beat the Linfield keeper giving Dungannon the winning goal and their deserved three points.

This was Linfield’s first defeat of the season and must have left them wondering what it will take to beat this Dungannon side.

Manager Joe Mc Aree said “It was an excellent team performance and I think that it confirms that we are as good as anyone in the National League. Over 60 minutes we were the better side and deserved to win. When you consider that 16 of our squad are from in and around Dungannon, it makes it very encouraging for us as a club. Add to that our magnificent pitch and complex – plus our hardworking coaches and I think most people would agree that there is a large number of men and women at the club who are doing a very good job for the youth of this community”.

He then awarded Man of the Match to his entire team for their self belief and determination. For showing that there is indeed quality players outside of Belfast! Well done lads!