The club has emerged from half a dozen kids kicking a ball about on the training pitch at Carnhill to a membership now of well over 200 with nine full sided teams including a senior side backed by an Irish Football Association recognized Football Development Centre to become one of Northern Irelands best organised if not largest youth set ups.

Indeed this March, the club will be celebrating their ten year anniversary with a formal event at the Adair Arms Hotel when it is hoped many former coaches, staff and friends will be in attendance to mark the occasion.

Once again though Carniny look forward to a new year and no doubt another successful one with all the teams doing well in their respective leagues and all six teams who entered the Northern Ireland Boys FA Cup still in the ‘hat’ for the next round.

The youngest team at under 10 level are setting the pace at their age group and sit proudly top of the South Belfast Youth League one place ahead of neighbours Ballymena Youth Academy.

Last year’s Belfast League Champions, the under 11s are finding things slightly harder going this year but are still in a top five league position and look forward to playing Dungoyne in the NIBFA Cup.

The 12s have done well in their first season in Northern Ireland’s elite National League and are currently holding their own in a mid table position with St Mary’s to face in the NIBFA Cup.

The much improved under 13s are gradually climbing their National League table but are excelling in the NIBFA Tesco Cup where they face Aquinas for a place in the quarter finals.

A top four National League place is quite possible for the under 14s who have a tricky NIBFA Cup tie with North Belfast United to look forward to whilst the 15s continue to improve in the league with a visit to Whitehead to come in the NIBFA Cup.

Finally the more senior youth teams at the club at under16 and 17 level are both going well with the 16s in second position whilst the 17s are one better and sit top of the pile going into the new year. Both are also going well in the NIBFA Cup and the 16s will face Aquinas as the 17s travel to Portaferry.

Another new year and hopefully new decade of success for the Ballymena ‘reds.’

GAME POSTPONED

Due to the current inclement weather the annual friendly fixture between the Coaches and the Parents scheduled for December 28 did not take place.

It is hoped though to hold the event on New Years Day at a time and venue to be confirmed. Check club website for details.

FIXTURES

Matches this Saturday for Carniny Youth sides are: Under-10s – free; under-11s v Glentoran; Under-12s v St Mary’s (NIBFA Cup); Under-13s – free; Under-14s – free; Under-15s v Whitehead Eagles (NIBFA Cup); Under-16s v Grosvenor; Under-17s v Carrick Rangers.