Carniny Youth show Plate class at Foyle Cup

The NW and Coleraine District Youth League Winners competed in a very competitive Foyle Cup competition with teams from both the North and South of Ireland.

After a solid performance in their first game against Finn Harps the Carniny side managed a 1-1 draw with the only goal being scored by Lynn.

Their second game was a much more impressive 4-0 win against local Derry side Trojans with a hat-trick from Lynn and a goal by Young.

This left a final group game with Limavady to decide the group winners. Unfortunately Carniny ended up with a 2-1 defeat putting them runner up in the group and out of contention for the Foyle Cup competition but still in the Plate competition avoiding the two lower tier trophies the Rosebowl and Shield. Once again the only goal was scored by Lynn.

Carniny were drawn with Oxford Sunnyside in the QF of the plate and inflicted a heavy 5-2 defeat on the young Oxford side. Lynn was on fire and got himself another 4 goals in this game and White with the fifth.

The Semi Final was an epic encounter with their domestic league rivals and friends Coleraine Academy. As usual the game could have went anyway.

It finished 1-1 with another fantastic goal by Lynn and ended with the dreaded penalty shoot-out. It was Mearns who got the winning penalty that sent the crowd wild and sent Carniny into the final.

The final saw Carniny drawn against yet another local side in Maiden City who had a large local support watching.

It was a very tense affair but it wasn’t long before Carniny were 1-0 up when Mearns poked the ball in after a goal mouth scramble.

At half time Hunter replaced Simpson and Young replaced White. Hunter came close on two occasions and just when Carniny thought they had the trophy in their grasp it was Maiden City who equalised and sent the games into penalties.

Penalties were scored by Robinson, Lynn, Young and Mearns before hero of the day McNicholl in goals saved the decisive Maiden City penalty. This was a great end to the week and just reward for the boys hard work.

Carniny 10s can now take a well earned break after a hectic week and look forward to their new season as Under 11s in the Lisburn Youth League.

The Panel for the Foyle Cup tournament was: McNicholl, Farqhuar, Simpson, Robinson, Young, White, Hunter, Lynn, Currie, Mearns and Scullion.

PRE-SEASON

Meanwhile pre season training commences for the club this week with all teams returning to training and looking forward for the forthcoming season.

The club’s Under 9s and 10s will compete in the North West and Coleraine District Youth League, the Under 11s will play in the Lisburn Youth League, Under 12s, George Best Youth League with the Under 13s, 14s and 15s all playing in the NIBFA National Youth League. The club’s senior sides will play in the Ballymena and Provincial League Intermediate and Junior Divisions.

The club welcomes new players to come along and try out at any of the individual team training sessions. Anyone interested in playing for the Club should use the team contact nos below;

; 2004 - Davy Hanna 07791297755, 2003 - Davy Boyd 07803974402, 2002 - Jason Hunter, 2001-Davy Parker 07835020446, 2000 - Davy Leetch 07732808858, 1999 - Andy McClean 07814038368, 1998 - Lee Barry 07920531789.

Any senior players out there who are interested in playing Intermediate/Junior football with the club should contact manager Anthony McCartney on 07708822793 or Stephen Armstrong 07836689548.

COACHES SOUGHT

Carniny Amateur and Youth FC are presently looking for new players in all age groups from Under 10 through to Under 15.

Please contact Billy O’Flaherty 07850669666 for further information.