DUY U12 National League Team travelled to Mallusk last Saturday to meet Carniny Youth for the first time this season.

The DUY National team came out with a determination to win from the very beginning and Daniel Kerr was rewarded with the first goal of the match when he volleyed the ball passed the Carniny Youth ‘keeper.

Gavin Corr was quick to get his name onto the score sheet bringing the score to 2 – 0. Before the half time whistle blew, Paul Donnelly also netted a goal bringing the half time score to 3 – 0.

Due to the frost from the previous evening, the ground was heavy going and this made it very difficult for the DUY National League team to play consistently good football, although there certainly was signs of it at times throughout the match.

Donnelly’s eye for goal continued into the second half when he scored a further two for DUY, netting himself a hat trick.

With Dungannon United Youth U12 National League Team 5 – 0 up the referee made the dubious decision to give a penalty to Carniny Youth for handball when a DUY player was struck on the chest by the ball. The Carniny Youth ‘keeper stepped up and faced DUY ‘keeper Tom McDermott. McDermott dived the right way but the ball beat him giving the opposition a goal.

DUY U12 Nationals scored a further three goals in the second half – two for Samuel Haugh and one for Cian Murtagh before Carniny Youth got a consolation goal with the last kick of the ball, making the final score to 8 – 2 in Dungannon’s favour.

Manager Joe McAree said “What with the heavy overnight frost, I was just thankful that the game went ahead because we needed to our good run going and in the first half the team played some great football which enabled us to score a few cracking goals.”

Assistant Manager, Tony Courtney reiterated Joe’s thoughts by saying “Our boys played well today and created plenty of goal scoring opportunities. It was good to see Paul Donnelly get his hat trick and Daniel Kerr, as usual had a great game.”

Man of the match was awarded to Daniel Kerr for his performance. Congratulations!