U-13 FOOTBALLERS COME BACK FROM THE DEAD TO WIN THRILLING SHIELD FINAL.
Aghaderg travelled to An Riocht on Friday night for the South Down Shield Final against Longstone. Longstone won the toss and elected to play with the breeze. Aghaderg’s prospects of winning this final did not look good in that opening period. They had a sluggish start and found themselves 2-3 to 0-0 down after seventeen minutes and, although they had plenty of possession, they were struggling to put the ball between the posts. Management used the water break to reshuffle their formation and immediately we saw an improvement in the Reds forward play. Points from Daniel McKernan and Conor McQuaid proved to be watershed scores as Aghaderg began to play with renewed belief. Two further points from McKernan left the Reds just seven points in arrears at half time and their followers began to have hope that a comeback might indeed be possible.
Half time: Aghaderg 0-4 Longstone 2-5
Aghaderg emerged a different team in the second period. Aggressive and passionate, they took the game to Longstone and suddenly we had a rip-roaring championship final. Brogan Brackenbury and Daniel McKernan weighed in with two crucial points but when Sean Devlin burst through the Longstone defence to crash the ball to the back of the net, the comeback was well and truly on. Conor McQuaid reduced the deficit to the minimum but Longstone retaliated with three unanswered points to lead by four at the water break and Aghaderg had it all to do again.
There was no panic in the Aghaderg camp and the young Reds were champing at the bit to get back out to keep the momentum going. Aghaderg were full of energy and began to trap Longstone in their own half. The last quarter saw this spirited U-13 side produce one of the most exciting comebacks in the club’s history and seven unanswered points spirited them into dreamland and a thrilling championship final victory.
On the restart, two swashbuckling runs forward from Conor Comiskey produced two quick points in rapid succession. Daniel McKernan added another and when Conor McQuaid sent over the equaliser, Aghaderg had the bit firmly between their teeth. Longstone had their chances. They hit the woodwork as they pushed for vital scores, but the Reds were chasing every lost cause at this stage as the excitement mounted, and they were determined to give nothing away. With five minutes to go, Daniel McKernan put Aghaderg ahead for the first time in the game and you could see the energy flow into the Reds forward play. Positions no longer counted and defenders Jake McCourt and Cillian Muckian rampaged forward to deliver the final blows and the crowd went wild as Aghaderg became South Down U-13 Shield Champions.
South Down PRO, Christopher Morgan, presided over a rather unique 2020 trophy presentation, conducted in accordance with the new Covid 19 and social distancing protocols, as Aghaderg Captain Cillian Muckian helped himself to the South Down Shield…..and the celebrations continued!
Final score: Aghaderg 1-14 Longstone 2-8
Aaron Strain, James McSherry, Jake McCourt (0-1), Owain McGrath, Cillian Muckian (Captain) (0-1), Aaron Keenan, Conor Comiskey (0-2), Conor McQuaid (0-3), Daniel McKernan (0-6), Brogan Brackenbury (0-1), James McShane, Eoin Brackenbury, Sean Devlin (1-0), Harry Patterson, John Kearney, Harry Mooney, Charlie Patterson, Jack Devlin.
This is the second weekend in a row that these young lads have served up a delightful game of football with hard work, self-belief, and a never-give-up attitude to the fore. The U-13 coaches would like to thank all the parents and supporters who travelled to An Riocht but most of all, a big Thank You to a great bunch of young lads who worked their socks off and did our club proud.
Aghaderg can now look forward to the All County Final next weekend, when they will meet East Down Champions, St Pauls.