Under 12 Football League Champions
After narrowly losing out on qualifying to Division 1, the Ógs started their Division 2 campaign against St Endas, a team they had beaten well in the qualifiers. However, the Ógs’ season got off to a very poor start when they suffered an 8 point defeat. The big pitch at St Endas combined with number of key players missing didn’t help the Ógs’ cause. That said, the Ógs battled well with Hugh Doran, Oisin Rogers, Steven McGuigan, Connor Cochrane and Ciaran Rice playing particularly well. However, some strong individual play from St Endas and some fine score taking saw them race into an early lead and one that was never to be overtaken. While Oisin Rogers and Connor McKenna took some nice scores, wasteful shooting, particularly letting efforts for points drop short into the keeper’s arms by the Ógs, meant they were always playing catch up. A disappointing result and one that may comeback to haunt them as they chase for league honours this year.
A huge improvement by the Ógs on their previous outing saw them totally overwhelm a young Sarsfields team. With return of some of the stronger players and with Oisin Rogers and Conor McKenna dominating midfield from the outset and some fine point taking by Joe O’Neill at full forward, this match was never in doubt. While the opposition may have been below par, the quality of the Ógs’ passing and indeed shooting was extremely encouraging. Scoring opportunities were taken by all with only small number of wides. Best for the Ógs were Steven McCaffrey and Steven Carson in defence and Conor Cochrane and Joe O’Neill in attack. In addition all 8 subs that came on played extremely well and will surely be pushing for starting places for the next match. All in all, a very impressive performance from the Ógs.
Another impressive win for the Ógs against St Agnes. With a squad of over 25 it was the opportunity for some of the fringe players to shine. Strong running from Conor McKenna and Gavin Trainor in midfield saw plenty of balls to the full forward line where Aodhan McKenna and Joe O Neill ruthlessly punished the Aggies. New boy Conor McEntee also showed up well on the half forward line and a well worked move saw him take a fine score. All in all another impressive performance from the Ógs.
Éire Óg 3-10 St Malachy’s 0-1 (League Fri 7 May)
Another excellent performance by the Ógs saw them completely dominant in this game. Using the full width of the pitch the Ógs controlled possession and used their men well. Playing one touch football scores were quickly racked up, none more impressively than by new addition Brendan Mullan who scored 1-5 from play. With Conor McKenna and Matthew Murdock in midfield, the Ógs controlled the middle of the park and kept St Malachy’s in their own half for much of the game. When they did break forward Conor MaClean and Steven McGuigan displayed some excellent defending and snuffed out any attacks. All the forwards took their scores well with Ciaran McAreavy and Conor Cochrane and Donal Cummings playing particularly well.
This was an excellent test for the Ógs as Carryduff ware unbeaten in Division 1 in Down. Managed by Ógs stalwart Alec McGoran, whose son Peter was playing for Carryduff, it was easy to see why this team was unbeaten; strong running together with accurate passes meant that they completely dominated the opening stages of this game and their forwards quickly rattled up 4 points with no reply. With their midfield dominating and half forwards rampant the Ógs were quickly losing heart. Only the excellence of Teddy in nets kept them in the game. Their sporadic breaks from the back saw the Carryduff defence come out on top. However a goal by Joe O’Neill gave the Ógs some confidence and with Oisin Rogers starting to win some possession at midfield the Ógs confidence soon came back, and only for some poor final passes would have punished Carryduff more. However Carryduff came back and tagged on a goal and 3 more points before half time. Some stern words at half time and number of substitutions however saw the Ógs start much brighter in the second half. Brendan Mullan, one of the best players on the pitch, began to torment the Carryduff defence and took some excellent scores. Donal Cummings at full forward at last started using his strength to set up some excellent scores for Oisin Rogers and Conor McKenna. However in the end it wasn’t enough and Carryduff deservedly took the spoils. However the Ógs had an excellent performance in the second half and learned a lot from this match, best for the Ógs were Oisin Rogers Brendan Mullan and Teddy in goals
An excellent performance by the Ógs saw them defeat a very committed and determined Ballymena side. Playing uphill and against the wind in the first half the Ógs, despite conceding some early scores to the Ballymena full forward, played possession football and, through Brendan Mullan, took some excellent scores. With Joe O'Neill, Conor McEntee and Donal Cummings taking some fine scores the Ógs were able to build a commanding 5 point lead at half time. The second half, playing down hill, saw the Ógs dominate possession. Josh Murray at halfback and Ciaran McAreavy and Conor Cochrane at half forward supplied plenty of good quality ball to the full forward line where Kevin McKenna and Gerard Meehan finished off some fine moves with well taken scores. This was a fine win for the Ógs and important confidence booster for their top of the table clash with Dwyer’s on the 21 May. Best for the Ógs were Brendan Mullan, Conor McKenna, Aodhan McKenna and Oisin Rogers.
Under 12 Footballers beaten in final of Lámh Dhearg Football Tournament
After beating St Pat’s, Lisburn, and drawing with
The Ógs won this hard fought match due to sheer tenacity and commitment. Playing against a bigger and probably more skilful side, the Ógs’ never say die attitude saw them come back from an early goal take the match by a point. Points from Oisin Rogers and Conor McKenna together with well taken goal by Ciaran McAreavy helped settle the Ógs and allowed them to play some excellent one touch football. Best for the Ógs were Ciaran Rice, Steven Carson and Chris Murphy in defence, Oisin Rogers and Steven McCaffrey in midfield and Gerard Meehan and Ciaran McAreavy in attack.
A well deserved draw against old rivals
Final: Éire Óg 1-1 Lámh Dhearg 2-3
The Ógs started the game brightly with Oisin Rogers and Steven McCaffery dominating midfield, while Conor McKenna, playing his best football of the day, had an excellent game and was the starting point for many of the Ógs attacks where Ciaran McAreavy was a constant threat. In goals, Andrew McGrath played magnificently keeping out the Lámh Dhearg attack on a number of occasions while in defence Steven Carson and Steven McGuigan together with Joe O’Neill, who had a man of the match performance at full back, were excellent. On the day the Lámh Dhearg, team ran out deserving winners but overall an excellent performance by the Ógs and a positive end to a successful season.
Tournament Team:
Andrew McGrath, Ciaran Rice, Chris Murphy, Joe O’Neill, Steven Carson, Emmet Cummings, Steven McGuigan, Steven McCaffrey, Oisin Rogers, Ciaran McAreavy, Conor McKenna, Conor Cochrane, Gerard Meehan, Aidan McGarrity, Josh Murray, Andrew Doherty, Steven Haughey, Aodhan McKenna, Kevin McKenna, Lee Brady