A feast of football on a beautiful autumn weekend. Cup action for the 12s, 14s and 16s boys plus 14/15 girls on Saturday and Junior squads, both men’s and women, getting game time on Sunday. Some impressive results too as well as some lessons learned along the way.
12As won out in a thriller away to Ballymackey showing huge resolve to prevail 2-3. 12Bs Cup run came to an end as they bowed out gallantly 2-0 in Nenagh AFC. 12Cs were all smiles and excited for the future despite going out at the hands of Rearcross 4-1in the end.
14As had a goal fest over in Ballymackey, coming from behind to win out 3-10 for a finish. A hat-trick for a young man on fire Justin Brosnahan and an all-round super whole squad effort. U14 girls played in an u14/15 cup competition away to Holycross. Not to be their day as they never got into their groove, bowing out 6-1. These super soccer sisters will bounce back and rediscover the magic that drove them to new heights last season.
U16 boys had to dig deep to see off the challenge of a very well organised Ardcroney in the Cup semi-final on Saturday in Clarisford. Cian O’Donoghue will remember his match winning strike for a long time. On to the final these boys go.
The u18 Youths were missing a handful of players due to Ballina playing the Minor Football final. With a young squad they travelled to a tough away fixture in Moneygall. Derg had a dream start with Adam Stuart scoring a stunning free kick after 2 minute and Mooney notching a second with 8 minutes gone. A penalty let Moneygall back into it before a delightful score from Stuart made it 3-1 only for a Moneygall free to close the gap to 3-2, all before the water break. Moneygall equalised in the 2nd half but in a barnstorming finish Cian Oakley scored and Adam Stuart wrapped up his hat trick to seal the win in a great game of youth football.
Sunday was the turn of the big boys and girls. The high flying Derg Juniors didn’t have a league fixture but played out a very competitive challenge game away to Birdhill. John Hayes team has a super mix of youth and experience and John used the opportunity to give additional youth players a run out with the Junior squad, with 4 of the youth team seeing game time in a good workout and a 1-3 win. Darragh Hickey, at 16 is the latest graduate from the schoolboy ranks to get a run out with the juniors and the experience of the step up to the big boys’ game will do him and the other young guns no harm at all. The future is bright. The future is Blue.
Final curtain for the weekend fell to the Ladies Squad who hosted Holycross in Clarisford on Sunday afternoon. Result went the visitor’s way but this squad are enjoying football. Great to see some of the mothers of our juvenile players playing the beautiful game and inspiring the next generation. The female participation in sport movement #ifshecantseeitshecantbeit and #noprovingjustmoving #20x20 is alive and well down Clarisford Way.
That’s a wrap for another feast of football. Lots of games, dozens of goals, hundreds of happy and healthy young and not so young players. Same again next week.
To do this week.
1. We switch to the winter training schedule on 3G. Details on Website www.loughdergfc.com
2. Academy squads return – from u6 to u11. Let’s remain covid aware as our youngest players return from the long layoff
3. Membership is open for renewal or new joiners. Details on website www.Loughdergfc.com
If you have read this far and like what we do and what we stand far, please support our club lotto. See website https://www.ourgrassroots.ie/club/loughdergfc
