Youth 2002
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Under 16's Information
Team
LATEST: THIRD PLACE FINISH IN LEAGUE
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Well done James Johnston, Brian Willigan and Kieran Murray on their call-up to the Down U-16 Development Squad.
WE DID IT LAST YEAR! - EAST DOWN U-16 B CHAMPIONS 2001
Captain Rory McCaughey with the managerial trio of Gerry Conlon, Pat Matthews and Sean Rafferty.
PLAYERS OF THE MONTH
March - Conor Carson
April - Paul Alexander
May - Kieran Murray
June - Brian Willigan
August - Conal O'Neill
EMAIL ME: Jerome Quinn
SQUAD OF PLAYERS - Conor McDaid, Conor Rafferty, Shane Matthews, Paul Alexander, Conor McCaughey, Paul Milligan, Paul McGlade, Paul McCorry, Brett Rodgers, Paddy Cassidy, Declan Noble, Kieran Murray, Aaron Quinn, Conal O’Neill, Conor Carson, Michael Thompson, Ciaran Conlon, Ian Galway, Michael Lee, Dermot Lee, Chris Donnelly, Brian Willigan, Eddie Burns, Kevin Harte, Peter Duffin, James Johnston, Ronan McCann, Ben Moane, Ryan Smith, Aaron McGlone, Jamie Gardner.
U-16 Star, Kevin Harte
Fixtures
March 24th: Pre-season friendly
St Brides 3-6 Bredagh 1-3
April 4: Section A
Liatriom 2-6 Bredagh 1-2
April 11: Section A
Bredagh 3-8 Loughinisland 2-3
April 25: Section A
Drumaness 2-12 Bredagh 4-2
May 2: Section A
Bredagh 7-14 Teconnaught 0-4
May 9: CHAMPIONSHIP
Ardglass 2-10 Bredagh 3-9
May 16: Section A
Carryduff 1-8 Bredagh 2-7
May 23: Section A
Bredagh 0-7 Downpatrick 1-5
June 13: Section A
Bredagh 10-7 Liatriom 2-4
June 27: CHAMPIONSHIP QUARTER-FINAL
Bredagh 4-8 Loughinisland 1-6
July 4: Section A
Loughinisland P Bredagh P
August 8: CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI-FINAL
Bredagh 2-6 Castlewellan 1-10
August 15: Section A
Bredagh 0-12 Drumaness 0-11
August 22: Section A
Teconnaught 2-2 Bredagh 5-7
August 25: Section A
Loughinisland 3-8 Bredagh 4-9
August 29: Section A
Bredagh 1-6 Carryduff 2-8
September 5: Section A
Downpatrick 3-6 Bredagh 2-9
Results
PRE-SEASON FRIENDLY DEFEAT
St Brides 3-6 Bredagh 1-3
After the capture of silverware last year, the Under-16s came back down to earth with a bump at St Brides. Conor Rafferty go the Bredagh goal in the second-half, while Shane Matthews added a couple of points and Paul Alexander got another. New captain Conor 'CJ' Carson, gave everything, as did all 23 players who turned out, and the managers are not too despondent. "This is exactly what happened to us last year", says Sean Rafferty. "We'll get better with more games and there'll be plenty of them in the coming weeks".
BIG WIN TO KICK OFF LEAGUE CAMPAIGN
Bredagh 7-14 Teconnaught 0-4
Three goals each for Shane Matthews and very impressive debut boy Paul McCorry in a one-sided game. McCorry actually scored his goals by half-time, while Michael Lee got the seventh goal. James Johnston rattled over six points, including one excellent long-range free. Brian Willigan and Kieran Murray were rock solid in the centre of the defence, and at midfield CJ Carson and Paul Alexander ran the show. If the U-16s and Minors can get this team out every week, Bredagh can look forward to more silverware, especially as the likes of Ben Moane, Peter Duffin and Aaron Quinn were on the sidelines.
DISAPPOINTING AWAY DEFEAT AT LIATROIM
Liatriom 2-6 Bredagh 1-2
An understrength Bredagh team put up a great performance after making the long journey to Liatroim. Despite having only 15 players (because of Easter week and a clash with a Rosario game) and being reduced to 14 players early on when midfielder Paul McGlade went off injured, the boys did themselves and their managers proud with a battling display.
And, if Shane Matthews' penalty had not struck a post, then we might have gone on to take the points. Ironically, Shane saved a penalty in his last competitive game - the B Championship Final last year. Ronan McCann answered the call to play in the game at the last minute and came away with a creditable 1-1, while Conor Rafferty got the other point. Other pluses were the superb performances by Paul Milligan at corner-back, Brett Rodgers on his first U-16 outing, Shane Matthews when moved to midfield, and especially captain CJ Carson.
TEAM: Eddie Burns, Conor McCaughey, Brian Willigan, Paul Milligan, Ryan Smith, Aaron Quinn, Chris Donnelly, Conor Carson (c), Paul McGlade, Ciaran Conlon, Shane Matthews, Conor Rafferty, Ronan McCann, Michael Lee, Brett Rodgers.
'OUR BOYS WERE BRILLIANT!'
Bredagh 3-8 Loughinisland 2-3
In the words of manager Pat Matthews, "Our boys were brilliant". The ‘boys’ went 3-nil down, but a superb goal from Paul Alexander (soloing from midfield to drive the ball to the corner of the net) had Bredagh ahead at the break. More goals came from Shane Matthews and Kevin Harte. Brian Willigan was very good at full-back, the returning Ben Moane was excellent at right-half-back, and Ciaran Conlon constantly opened up the Loughinisland defence.
TEAM: Eddie Burns, Kieran Murray, Brian Willigan, Conor McCaughey, Ben Moane, Aaron Quinn, Paul Alexander, Paul McGlade, Conor Carson, Ciaran Conlon, Shane Matthews, Conor Rafferty, Ronan McCann & Declan Noble. Sub: Conor McDaid for Declan. Subs not used Michael Lee, Paul Milligan, Ryan Smith & Paul McCorry.
MORE FRUSTRATION - SECOND DEFEAT
Drumaness 2-12 Bredagh 4-2
Oh the frustration of being an U-16 manager! Only 15 players turned up for a game Bredagh could easily have won. No-one expects players to give up other sports but it is a pity that on occasions Bredagh struggles to get a team out. This happened for the first game, away to Liatroim, and again here. There were a few notable absentees, and maybe with a bit more commitment from them, the U-16s would be much higher up the League. As it was, the makeshift 15 did really well and only lost by 4 points. Brian Willigan moved to midfield with great effect, while Shane Matthews did an important marking job. And, in Ronan McCann, the U-16s have discovered a real gem - he gets better with every game. The goals were scored by Ronan, Paul McGlade, Kevin Harte and Ciaran Conlon, with the points from Michael Lee and Shane Matthews.
SUPERB CHAMPIONSHIP WIN AT ARDGLASS
Ardglass 2-10 Bredagh 3-9
A tremendous goal by Paul Alexander was the highlight of this excellent victory. "It was a real screamer" said manager Sean Rafferty. "However, we are a bit like Chelsea at the minute. We're not sure which team is going to turn up! If we can get everyone out and firing on all cylinders next week at Carryduff, we could do well". CJ Carson and Paul McCrory also scored well-taken goals.
BREDAGH BEAT CARRYDUFF BY TWO POINTS
Carryduff 1-8 Bredagh 2-7
The previously unbeaten Carryduff U-16s were brought down to earth at Cherryvale by a plucky Bredagh team that came back strongly after conceding an early goal. Full-back Kieran Murray played superbly on a taller full-forward, including one amazing triple block, typifing the Bredagh spirit. A Ronan McCann goal cancelled out the Carryduff strike and Bredagh led by a point at the interval. The lead switched hands again, only for Paul Alexander to score a matchwinning goal for Bredagh. Both teams had chances near the end, but with Conal O'Neill impressive in the half-backs, the Carson-Alexander midfield duo on top form, and Bredagh finding joy on the wings, there was only going to be one winner. This was Bredagh's first victory over Carryduff at any competitive underage level for a few years (can anyone remember the last time?), so well done lads and well done the managers. Bredagh have now won three from five, and their next game is at home to Downpatrick, who have only lost once.
TEAM: Eddie Burns, Conor McDaid, Kieran Murray, Conor McCaughey, Brian Willigan, Aaron Quinn, Conal O'Neill, CJ Carson (c), Paul Alexander, Ciaran Conlon, Paul McGlade, Conor Rafferty, Ronan McCann, Shane Matthews, Kevin Harte. Subs: Paul McCorry (for Harte), Paul Milligan, Declan Noble, Michael Lee, Ryan Smith.
ROBBED BY REFEREE AND DOWNPATRICK
Bredagh 0-7 Downpatrick 1-5
A hotly-disputed disallowed goal, a man sent off, some very strange decisions and to cap it all, a last-minute goal giving the visitors a one-point win in this top-of-the-table clash. It doesn't get much more disappointing for the players and managers. Bredagh led by four points at half-time with great scores from Conor Rafferty, and then had to withstand a Downpatrick fightback after the break. During this period, Downpatrick were awarded a free, but before it was taken, one of their players pushed Conor Carson to the ground. The home crowd expected at least a red card and the free to be changed to a hop ball. However, no card was shown and the free resulted in a point. Minutes later, Bredagh had James Johnston sidelined for retaliating to a very poor. No action was taken against the Downpatrick player. Despite this turn of events, the Bredagh boys showed commendable spirit to get up the field against the wind and score a brilliant point - Andy Cleary setting up Conal O'Neill. Minutes later, the ball was in the Downpatrick net for what should have been the matchwinner, but the referee surprised all onlookers by ruling the score out for square ball. Finally, with Bredagh leading by two points, Downpatrick got through for a goal in the dying seconds. The result is a real blow to our League title hopes.
PAUL ALEXANDER 'HEADS' THE SCORING!
Bredagh 10-7 Liatriom 2-4
'Hey ref, are you allowed to head the ball?' asked Paul Alexander, just minutes before heading a goal in this easy League win over Liatroim (what a pity we didn't have a full turn-out for the earlier game at their place). It was showtime all round, with Eddie Burns (yes, Eddie Burns) scoring a penalty, Ian Galwey coming up from corner-back to score 1-1, and even Brian Willigan kicking a point with his 'unpreferred foot' (does he have a preferred on?). Shane Matthews top-scored with 3-1, then Paul and Ronan McCann with 2-0 each, Paul McCorry with a goal, and points for Ciaran Conlon, Conal O'Neill and Conor Rafferty.
WIGGSY SHOWS THE FORWARDS HOW TO SCORE!
Bredagh 4-8 Loughinisland 1-6
Brian Willigan shot Bredagh into the semi-finals of the Championship with a brilliant 1-5 from right-half-back. He scored three points in the first-half and when Loughinisland threatened midway through the second period, 'Wiggsy' soloed through and lashed the ball to the roof of the net. Within minutes, Conor Carson and Paul 'Blond bombshell' Alexander added further goals and it was game over. Paul McCorry got the first goal, and there were points from Ciaran Conlon (0-2), and Andy Cleary (0-2). MAN OF THE MATCH was undoubtedly Kieran Murray at full-back - his interceptions and intelligent use of the ball was a major reason for the victory. Conal O'Neill also had a fine game at left-half-back. Roll on the Semis!
HEARTBREAK IN CHAMPIONSHIP SEMI
Bredagh 2-6 Castlewellan 1-10
So near and yet so far - the U-16s looked set to make history by reaching the first 'A' Championship Final in many, many years, but they let slip a five-point lead and lost by the narrowest of margins to Castlewellan at Loughinisland. Early goals by Ronan McCann (soccer-style finish low to the corner) and Paul Alexander (from distance and a goalkeeping mistake) gave Bredagh a great start as they played down the famous L'island slope. Paul also fired over two super frees and a point from play after good work by McCann and Johnston. The latter also fan 30 yards before scoring another spectacular point. We turned round in the lead by 2-4 to 0-5.
SECOND-HALF
Castlewellan immediately reduced the gap to three and Paul Alexander scuffed a free, but Bredagh showed great heart to respond with a Ciaran Conlon point after excellent work by Declan Noble and Paul McCorry. The defence was under pressure, but Conor McCaughey, Kieran Murray, Brian Willigan and Conal O'Neill held firm. O'Neill even broke out on a solo run and played a low pass into the forwards which yielded a free and a point for Paul Alexander. That left it 2-6 to 0-8 for Bredagh, but we failed to register another score. Castlewellan got the vital points, and they had 1-1 disallowed in the closing minutes.
SUMMARY
It was agonising to come so close, but the managers and players can be proud of their efforts. In ways, this was a greater achievement than winning the 'B' Championship last year, because the 'A' version is much tougher and we came within a whisker of the final. It means that we can compete with the best, and there is hope still for the League campaign. Paul Alexander frightened the life out of Castlewellan in the first-half, while James Johnston put over a brilliant score, while Conor Carson and the defence kept the highly-rated opponents to just five points in that first period. It was sad however to be struggling for players on this prestigious occasion - if a few more players had put themselves out to be there, it could have made all the difference. There is still time for them to make a difference, if they come to League games in the coming weeks. Overall, it has been a fantastic season with victories over Loughinisland (twice), Liatroim (by ten goals), Teconnaught, Ardglass, and rivals Carryduff. We are well-placed in the League (and the Minor League) with a lot of football to be played - against Teconnaught, Carryduff, Downpatrick, Drumaness and Loughinisland. We are capable of finishing with a flourish, so let's go gor it!
TEAM & SCORERS: Eddie Burns, David Wilson, Kieran Murray, Conor McCaughey, Brian Willigan, Ian Galwey, Conal O'Neill, Paul Alexander 1-4, Conor Carson (c), Ciaran Conlon 0-1, James Johnston 0-1, Conor Rafferty, Ronan McCann 1-0, Paul McCorry, Declan Noble. Sub: Paul Milligan.
BACK ON TRACK WITH HOME WIN OVER LEAGUE LEADERS
Bredagh 0-12 Drumaness 0-11
Our League chances have been revitalised with this excellent win over a team that had only lost twice. Now, Bredagh are level with Drumaness and it's all to play for in the closing stages of the League race. It was our fifth win of the campaign and it needed a gutsy second-half performance to scrape home by a point. A big crowd turned out to cheer the boys to victory with a last-minute point from Ronan McCann. Earlier, a couple of points from Conal O'Neill and one each for Paul Alexander and CJ Carson had Bredagh in touch by the end of the first-half. James Johnston started the revival after the break, and fine defending by Kieran Murray and Brian Willigan saw Bredagh home. However, there is still much room for improvement. Just like the Minors, a few coaching/training sessions could make all the difference in the next few weeks, to help iron out basic errors.
EDDIE GOAL PUTS US TOP OF THE LEAGUE
Teconnaught 2-2 Bredagh 5-7
A goal from goalkeeper turned corner-forward Eddie Burns helped put us top of the league with just three games to go. We're now level with Carryduff and Drumaness. Michael Lee, Paul McCorry, James Johnston and Paul Alexander also scored goals. Well done lads, and hopefully there will be a full turn-out for Sunday's game at Loughinisland.
GOOD WIN AT L'ISLAND SETS UP CARRYDUFF GAME
Loughinisland 3-8 Bredagh 4-9
The performance at this Sunday afternoon game wasn't great, but at this stage of the season it doesn't matter - the points are the important thing and this win puts us level at the top of the table with Drumaness on 14 points. The last two games are against Carryduff on Thursday night and then away to Downpatrick - two wins might be enough to take the League. All four of our goals at Loughinisland came in the second-half, when we stepped up a gear. Let's hope there's more to come.
UNLUCKY TO LOSE LAST HOME GAME
Bredagh ... Carryduff ...
Bredagh were rocked before the game with the absence of star player Paul Alexander, added to the loss of captain CJ Carson (on holidays) and an illness to Brian Willigan. It was a pity also that Andy Cleary and Ian Galway did not turn out, even though they were on an adjoining pitch. Still, the team played very well and led at half-time. The two Carryduff goals were bad deflections, and the Man of the Match was Conal O'Neill at left-half-back. Kieran Murray gave his usual good performance, Aaron Quinn did well, as did James Johnston at midfield and Ronan McCann up front. James Johnston scored our goal from a penalty and a late drive from a 21-yard free shaved the crossbar.
Scorers: James Johnston 1-4, Conal O'Neill & Kevin Harte 0-1.
DRAW IN LAST GAME CLOSES IMPRESSIVE SEASON
Downpatrick 3-6 Bredagh 2-9
So near, yet so far. A draw was earned with a last-minute point, but we needed a win to draw level with the team in second place. Once again, this was a great performance but once again the circumstances were unfortunate and we were up against it - only 15 players on duty because of a variety of reasons. Paul Alexander and Conal O'Neill were injured, and others were playing soccer. Star players were Eddie Burns & Conor McDaid. Eddie saved three fantastic point-blank saves, which had the Downpatrick supporters cheering. Conor McDaid gave a brillant display at full-back. On this display we may have discovered a new full
back for next season. The half-back line of Kevin, Aaron & Paul McCorry played very well and continually held back a strong, determined Downpatrick who were anxious to stop us getting into a playoff for silverware. Kieran Murray & Brian
Willigan tried hard against the high-fielding Downpatrick pair. Kieran & Brian tried to push forward as much as possible. The forwards all played well. This was a team effort and we were proud of their display even though we were short of many star players. In the last five minutes we pushed Downpatrick hard in an attempt to win the game. We scored our levelling point in the last minute and
were close to winning the games when a few shots were blocked and cleared off the Downpatrick line. Even though we won nothing this year, the team did not disgrace themselves and every other team knew they were a strong team. No team beat us twice.
TEAM & SCORERS: Eddie Burns, Declan Noble, Conor McDaid, Conor McCaughey, Kevin Harte 0-1, Aaron Quinn, Paul McCorry, Kieran Murray, Brian Willigan 1-2, Ciaran Conlon, Shane Matthews 0-2, Conor Rafferty 0-2, Ronan McCann 0-1, Michael Lee 1-1 & Ryan Smith.
EMAIL ME: Jerome Quinn
Tables
| TEAM | Pld | Pts |
| Bredagh | 10 | 14 |
| Drumaness | 10 | 14 |
| Carryduff | 8 | 12 |
| Downpatrick | 8 | 10 |
| Loughinisland | 9 | 8 |
| Liatroim | 9 | 8 |
| Teconnaught | 11 | 0 |
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