A cracking days football at Clarisford Park. 14Bs got the ball rolling in the 10 a.m. kickoff in an end to end game v Killavilla B. Derg came out on top 2 - 1 for a finish with Matthew Cunnane scoring both for Derg.

Next up at noon was the 16s in the 3rd round of the Nationals, hosting a fine Avenue Utd side. Derg went 1 down after 20 minutes and then disaster struck, losing a centre half to a red card after 30 minutes. Derg steadied, aided by some excellent goalkeeping from Jack McCarthy and even enjoyed some dominance into the 2nd half before a goal from a penalty finished their challenge. The numbers began to count and Avenue went for the jugular and added 3 more goals late on. Worthy winners but scoreline didn't reflect the effort of a dejected Derg.

For those who stuck around the 2pm kick-off was a real treat as Lough Derg B hosted Clodiagh in the u12 Major. 2 fine sides went at it hammer and tongs. Derg got their noses in front after 20 minutes through Archie McNamara following excellent team build up. In the 2nd half a fine Clodiagh side really tested the Derg mettle but found the blues defence and goal keeper up to the challenge. A cracking game finished 1 - 0 to Derg and it meant a lot to these fine young sportsmen enjoying their first taste of competitive football.

And there was still more football to come with the 3:30 game pitting the 12As of Derg v Nenagh. A rip roaring encounter saw Nenagh reach half time 2 - 1 up. As the rain came down in buckets Derg came out blazing in the 2nd half, upped the tempo and pulled it back to 2 - 2. Derg thought they'd scored a possible winner when it appeared a spilled ball had crossed the line. Unfortunately the whistle didn't come and the fantom goal wasn't given. Who'd be a ref!? With the game looking like a draw a late Nenagh attack yielded a winner. Derg threw the sink at it for the last 5 minutes but it wasn't to be with Nenagh taking the spoils 2 - 3. Well played to both sides. And thanks to Jimmy McCarthy who refereed 4 games back to back today.

Elsewhere we heard there was an under 10 epic played out on the 3G with Derg Blues v Ballymackey coming from 4 nil down to win it 8 - 5. Sounds like a cracker. And on the road we hear the Derg 14As earned a creditable 1 - 1 draw away to Nenagh A and the 18s girls enjoyed a 1 - 3 win v Nenagh. Well done to both Derg sides. Points from Brickfields are hard earned.

And that's a wrap on another Super Saturday of grassroots magic for Lough Derg FC. Hundreds of kids, happy, healthy and full of energy, giving it's socks at the beautiful game. Same again next week...