Under-10s pick of the bunch for Carniny Youth at Foyle Cup

It was a busy week for Carniny Youth FC last week with four teams participating in the 2014 Hughes Insurance Foyle Cup up in the North West.
Adam Mairs and Travis McWilliams, members of the Carniny Youth U-16 Foyle Cup team, are pictured with Amber Stewart, Ann Cvat, Aine Cochrane, Laoise McCann and Orla McKillough from the Nobel Cafe who sponsored
 the team. INBT31-200ACAdam Mairs and Travis McWilliams, members of the Carniny Youth U-16 Foyle Cup team, are pictured with Amber Stewart, Ann Cvat, Aine Cochrane, Laoise McCann and Orla McKillough from the Nobel Cafe who sponsored
 the team. INBT31-200AC
Adam Mairs and Travis McWilliams, members of the Carniny Youth U-16 Foyle Cup team, are pictured with Amber Stewart, Ann Cvat, Aine Cochrane, Laoise McCann and Orla McKillough from the Nobel Cafe who sponsored the team. INBT31-200AC

The Under 10s (2004s) performed the best of the four teams when they reached the Foyle Cup semi final against Glentoran academy who went on to win the Cup outright.

The young squad had an excellent tournament finishing fourth overall from 48 teams!

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The Under 12s won their last three games to see them reach and win the Foyle Rosebowl Final beating Ballymoney Utd YA to lift the trophy.

The U13s found themselves in a tough group that included Sheffield Utd and ended up playing for play off places in the Foyle plate.

The U16s left their best performances to the end of the week after some close games beating fellow National League team, Loughgall Youth in the Foyle Shield Final, with the winning goal coming from Adam Mairs.

UNDER-10

On the first day, Carniny’s opening game was a tight affair but they beat Ballymoor FC 4-3, then they played Bertie Peacocks and fought out a 5-5 draw leaving them unbeaten on the first day.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Tuesday saw them play Maiden city and this game was nip and tuck with Carniny scoring in the first half but with 2 minutes left Maiden city equalised.

On the Wednesday Carniny had two games and won them both beating East Donegal 2-1 then beating Sion Colts 6-2. Carniny were unbeaten in the group stages and went on to win it.

In the quarter finals on Thursday they played The Oaks and once again the Carniny lads pulled out all the stops and beat Oak 1-0 to reach the semi final were they met Glentoran who beat them 3-0.

Incidentally Glentoran recorded their lowest score line against Carniny on the their way to the final which they won 9-1.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Carniny played Ballymoney on the Friday for 3rd &4th places which Ballymoney won.

A big thank you to all the parents for their support for all the boys and a big mention to all the boys who all contributed magnificently no matter how much or how little they played, it’s a team game and everyone ayed their part.

Carniny: McGrath, McClure, Murray, McPeake, Balmer, Clarke, Fletcher, Porter, Farenden.

UNDER-12

Carniny 2002s had a good history in the Foyle Cup as previous winners of the Foyle Plate and quarter finalists last year they were full of good expectations.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Their first match was against the host Derry Colts. The boys fought hard and gave their all. As well as a big strong Derry team the boys felt some decisions went against them as they went down 1-0.

Their second game Carniny fancied their chances against East Donegal schools. Although Carniny totally dominated the game they only came out with a 2-2 draw with decisions not going Carniny’s way.

Carniny’s third game was against one of the fancied teams in Waterford school boys. The boys should be proud of themselves narrowly going down 1-0 again.

Having finished third in their group the boys were entered in the Rose Bowl competition. In the quarter final Carniny game out top with a 3-0 victory over Killea Nixon Corner with goal from Anderson (2) and Lynn (1).

The semi final was against old rivals Limavady.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

After Carniny went down 2-0 against the run of play, Carniny looked dead and buried but showed great spirit to come back to 2-2 to take the game to penalties. Carniny went through 4-2.

The final again pitted Carniny against local rivals Ballymoney. This was probably Carniny’s best performance of the week with a convincing 4-0 win with goals from Lynn (2) Graffin and Lindsey.

A great end to the week going home with some silverware. The boys gave 100% and all the parents and coaching staff are very proud of them.

They will get a week’s rest now and then a few friendlies before the start of the Premier National League fixtures .

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

The 2002 side still have a couple of places for players who would like to play at the top level at this age. If interested phone Jason Hunter on 07885899290

UNDER-16

On Tuesday Carniny played Limavady youth in Limavady.

The first half was very evenly matched with very few clear cut chances.

Ten minutes into the second half Limavady took the lead when a shot made its way into the Carniny net. Both teams then had a few half chances which came to nothing.

With 15 minutes to go Carniny were awarded a penalty when Matthew Shevlin was brought down in the penalty area by the Limavady goalkeeper just as he was about to score. Shevlin scored from the penalty to make it 1-1.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Carniny were now pushing for a winner with the impressive James Price and Caolan Harte beginning to dominate the midfield. The Limavady goalkeeper was forced to make two fine saves.

Another controversial incident decided this game when after a Limavady player scored from close range the assistant referee flagged for offside but was overruled by the referee who allowed the goal and Limavady held on to win 2-1.

On Wednesday Carniny played Foyle Harps at Templemore. After a bright first ten minutes Carniny were caught when a Foyle Harps player was able to turn the ball into the net. Foyle Harps scored a second just before half time when good work down their right led to a Harps player scoring with a good finish.

Carniny needed to get back in the game but were again caught with a Foyle Harps player scoring a third goal and this was followed a short time later by a fourth.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Carniny made several substitutions and in the last fifteen minutes played their best football of the game with the impressive Joe McCann having a good game in midfield.

On Thursday Carniny played their final group match against Donegal who were to go on and win the group and reach the final of the Foyle cup and who had several Republic of Ireland schoolboy internationals in their team.

This was by far Carniny’s best performance in the group stages and they played some great football all over the pitch with the defence and the commanding figure of Thomas Rooney worthy of special mention.

Owen Marquess also had a fine game in the Carniny goal making some good saves. Carniny were frustrating Donegal and half time was reached with a 0-0 score line.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Donegal opened the scoring mid way through the second half when one of their players was able to touch the ball into the Carniny net.

Carniny pushed forward looking for an equaliser and came close when Matthew Shevlin hit the post.

With five minutes to go Donegal scored again when one of their forwards was able to shoot into the net. This was an excellent performance against a very good Donegal team.

On Friday Carniny played Drumkeen in the semi finals of the Foyle shield. Carniny took the lead after three minutes when Eddie Burns crossed for Matthew Shevlin to head into the net.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

On twelve minutes Drumkeen equalised with a shot from their left. On eighteen minutes Josh Graham ran through to score from a Matthew Shevlin pass.

On 25 minutes Thomas Johnston found Matthew Shevlin who was able to lob the Drumkeen goalkeeper. Drumkeen scored again to reduce the arrears to 3-2 and this was to be the final score with Carniny going through to the shield final to play Loughgall.

On Saturday Carniny played Loughgall in the final of the Foyle shield.

Carniny scored after five minutes of the second half when Tyrone Balmer was able to volley into the net following a corner.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Balmer had a further chance to score when he was through on goal but his shot hit a post. Loughgall equalised when they scored from a penalty.

Carniny took the lead again when Adam Mairs raced through on goal and coolly slotted the ball into the corner of the net. Both teams then had chances to score but it was Carniny who held on to win.

NIFL YOUTH LEAGUE

Carniny Youth were delighted to receive official confirmation of their entry to the NIFL Youth League for the forthcoming season recently.

Local players who are still looking for a youth club born 1996/97/98 are encouraged to contact the club with the aim of playing in the league.

The team will be coached by Jimmy Gilchrist. If anyone is interested in playing for the team please contact Jimmy Gilchrist 07754049484 or Billy O’Flaherty 07850669666.