The leagues were back on Saturday and the 3 Lough Derg FC under 15 squads hosted home games.

First up was the A Squad who entertained a strong BT Harps side. After a cracking game of football the visitors took the spoils 2 - 3. Jack Grace with both Derg goals, the 1st of which was a stunning free kick. The lads were disappointed to lose the game having played lovely football and enjoyed long spells of dominance. A couple of lapses in concentration cost them in the end. A big shout out to a number of players today who stepped up to the A squad having developed well on last year's B team. The player development strategy in Lough Derg is working well.

2nd game saw Lough Derg FC B host Moneygall. Moneygall went 2 up and had chances in the 2nd half to close out the game. However with 10 minutes to go Derg pulled one back through Callum Black to set up a grandstand finish. The never say die attitude of this squad was rewarded when a minute from time Sean Crotty scored a screamer from 40 meters to give Derg a 2 all draw.

3rd Game saw Derg C host Knigh Utd. Knigh started well and went 1 up with a well taken goal before Zach Egan equalised. In the 2nd half Derg got on top. Ryan Imoff scored from out wide. Cross or shot? Only Ryan knows... Diarmuid Coleman wrapped it up late on on a 3-1 scoreline.

So, some cracking opening day football on a resplendent Clarisford Park. 100 happy kids giving it their all. That's why we love grass roots magic. Same again next week when we host three SFAI national cup ties.

Big shout out today to hard working ref Andy Hall who really racked up the step counter, refereeing all three games back to back.