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Northend Colts 1 Downpatrick 0 Cup Final @ Seaview Saturday 20th April

A warm Seaview basked in Sunshine would be the venue for the Colts cup final against their fiercest rivals Downpatrick. You couldn’t have asked for better conditions or a spectacle. Two evenly matched teams, who had won a game a piece in the league and the two stand out teams in the division, going toe to toe. This was a hotly contested affair with nothing between the teams. It was likely to be the odd goal or penalties that settled this match and indeed Downpatrick took their chance clinically to win the contest and lift the trophy.

The game started very cagey. Both defences were on top not giving an inch and there were very few opportunities. The back four of Neeson, O’Neill, Slattery and Dillon were immense winning all their aerial duels and one v ones. Hardy was always there behind martialling the defence and dealing with any potential danger. Northend were a little under par with five players playing in Feile finals and just lacked that little bit of energy and cutting edge up top that had been a hallmark of the season so far. However, despite this Northend were getting the upper hand in midfield. The midfield five of Patenall, King, Da Prato, Duncan and Higgins dominated that area but there were not enough options up front to get in behind a packed five man defence. The space was on the outside and down the channels. Finally, Northend started pushing their wingers higher up with some reward. Firstly Cormac got in down the left and squared it to brother Dara in the box. As Dara got the ball out of his feet he was taken down from behind in the box. As blatant a penalty as you will see! The referee played on saying not enough, the defender won the ball. Replays showed the referee got that call very wrong. Nevertheless, Patenall drove into the space on the right side and some good interplay with King allowed him to get his shot away but it was comfortably saved. Then Dara moved out wide right beating his man for pace but taken down. This time the ref did punish the offence and brandished a yellow. Da Prato’s delivery was perfect as Northend had men over at the back post but Duncan just miscontrolled and the chance went. Then Dara got in behind the defence again. As he went to take the shot the Downpatrick defender did enough to put pressure on the shot and force Dara slightly wide and his resultant shot saved just off the foot of the post. King did a Cruyff turn to the applause of the crowd on the half way and worked it well through Higgins and Patenall to a Duncan effort just wide. Northend didn’t have it all their way and Downpatrick came close when a knocked down cross wasn’t cleared at the backpost. A bit of a goalmouth scramble and then a Downpatrick shot which rebounded off the underside of the crossbar and safely into Hardy’s hands. The bench reacted and brought on Gordon up top and pushed King forward as they started to dominate the exchanges and were comfortable at the back. A delicious bottle by Da Prato put Higgins in behind the defence wide left. A little bit of tiredness and hesitation didn’t capitalise on the opportunity and the delay on the shot forced him wide of goal and a comfortable save for the keeper. As much as Northend dominated the half and were comfortable for the most part they needed to be alive to the threat of the counter. Just before the half end a driving run and a bullet shot from distance was hit over Hardy’s head. Blinded by the sun Hardy scrambled on the cover but was relieved to see the ball sail over the cross bar. Half time 0-0

Northend went into the second half confident after a dominant first half performance against the elements playing into a low blinding sun. However, Downpatrick had other ideas going for broke playing four up top, bringing a central defender forward and pushing one of their midfielders higher up. Northend were at sixes and sevens as Downpatrick turned the screw. Everything was coming down the Northend left and Martin and Dillon were struggling to cope with the pressure. A through ball and a miss timed clearance seen the Downpatrick striker get a shot away but comfortably saved by Hardy. This was a warning shot. The pressure kept mounting. Then another failed attempt at a clearance saw the Downpatrick number nine outmuscle Dillon, head the ball past O’Neill as he drove forward at pace. As Slattery approached to contest the ball the striker fired a dipping rocket from thirty yards high in over Hardy’s head. The ball dipped into the corner of the net leaving Hardy no chance and a precious Downpatrick advantage deserved of their second half urgency. Despite going behind Northend found it hard to lay a glove. They looked a bit tired and lack lustre with no real threat up the top half of the pitch. It was all very easy for Downpatrick. The Northend bench reacted rolling the subs, and foregoing a defensive midfielder for another striker. This had immediate effect. Patenall, Da Prato and Duncan were in control in midfield and Higgins, King and Gordon were offering attacking threat. Patenall fed Higgins who nutmegged the last defender. He was clean through in goal. Just as he went to pull the trigger he was pulled back and clipped from behind, tripping him preventing him getting his shot away. Dara was too honest staying on his feet and allowing the defender to nip in and put the ball out for a corner. Again this was a clear denial of a goal scoring opportunity but the ref waved away the vehement calls for a penalty from the Northend sideline. Linesman agreeing if he went down the ref would have been given no choice but to award the penalty. Nevertheless, Northend fought harder and the pressure was mounting. Captain Da Prato in the midfield was the playmaker with a masterclass in delivery. He put Gordon through in behind twice. Once ruled off for a marginal offside and then just as Oisin was about to get in on goal his touch let him down and showed too much to the covering defender. The pressure was mounting and Downpatrick started wilting. There was a deafening roar from the Northend faithful as they could smell blood and they drove their team forward. King picked it up on the edge of the box, turned and beat his man but misplaced the pass just as Gordon was in again. The bench knew Downpatrick were on the ropes and took off a defender and pushed Duncan up on the last man. Another ball in behind from Da Prato put Gordon clean through in on goal. A deliberate handball stopped the ball going through the gap. However, Gordon checked his run picked up the ball and put Duncan through in on goal for a great opportunity. The referee blew his whistle pulling the game back to the deliberate handball to brandish a yellow. There was consternation from the bench as this surely should have been a red for a deliberate attempt to stop a clear goal scoring opportunity. The ref said there was two covering defenders but therefore he should have let the advantage play out. Duncan hit the resultant free kick which was well saved by the keeper, diving down to his left and holding it well as Da Prato was right on top of him for a tap in. The last five was all Northend pressure as they threw the kitchen sink at them in a cauldron of noise. A couple of bookings were branded to Downpatrick for wasting time in a desperate attempt to hold their slender lead. Then the chance Northend had been waiting on. Another delightful ball into the box from Da Prato was met perfectly by Duncan, a looping header in over the keepers head. The expectancy was for the net to buldge but somehow the keeper diving backward was able to get finger tips to it. The whole crowd erupted as it looked like he had palmed it in but somehow he turned it just around the post. A spectacular save and potentially a cup winning effort. Then Da Prato fired in a brilliant delivery which was met again by Duncan. His downward header again being very well saved by a diving effort from the keeper. Northend couldn’t capitalise on the breaking ball and it was cleared for another corner. Game on, the roar was deafening! It was now all or nothing. Twenty one players in the box and Da Prato put another delivery right on the money. A game of head tennis and desperate attempts to clear and slashes at shots in a mele of bodies as Northend willed the ball over the line. Then, finally it was kicked away to the sounds of the final whistle and heartbreak for the league champions as they had poured everything into this game and dropped to their knees. The tears of the final whistle were softened however as after Downpatrick lifted the cup, they fittingly gave a respectful guard of honour to the colts to see them crowned champions and lift the league trophy. It was appropriate in the end, the two best teams in the league leaving with a trophy each after a brilliantly contested final and season. Both sets of fans and teams have to be commended for the spirit the game was played in, the atmosphere created and the respect shown by each set of players. Full Time 0-1

Man of the Match: Pearce Neeson

Panel: Lughan Hardy, Callum O’Neill, Liam Slattery, Ronan Maguire, Corey King, Joshua Dillon, Noah Patenall, Ben Duncan, Cormac Higgins, Paudie Martin, Caleb Da Prato (c), Pearse Neeson, Oisin Gordon, Dara Higgins and Kane McNeill

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Northend Colts 4 Aquinas Star 0 Sunday 14th April 2024

Final game of the season and a league decider against midweek opponents Aquinas in an unusually sun-drenched Mallusk. Downpatrick had won their game on Saturday meaning the title could be lost today against an opponent who Northend just narrowly beat midweek in the cup.

Northend started on the front foot and it was an onslaught. The game was being played in the Aquinas third and they were camped in and couldn’t get out. The pitch was congested and space was at a premium. Northend were passing and moving the ball quickly and an early attempt from McGarel, narrowly over, showed Northend’s attacking threat. With five minutes on the clock the ball was fired into McGarel, he flicked the ball on and fashioned a yard of space. He quickly spun and fired it on his left into the far corner to take the lead. Northend kept pushing. All the threat was down their left with Slattery, Higgins and McGarel working the ball well. Ten minutes gone and McGarel was in on goal again. This time he got the ball out of his feet quickly and again smashed it across goal left footed into the far corner for his brace. Minutes later he nearly had a hattrick when his right footed shot sailed just passed the upright. Duncan who had been dominating the midfield forced a corner. Da Prato fed a perfect delivery near post and Duncan struck it cleanly on the volley into the back of the net for a third goal. Not long after Ben nearly scored a second when he caught a volley sweetly from thirty yards. It was hit with such venom but just skimmed the upright on its way past. The back four of Slattery, O’Neill, Patenall and Neeson had a quiet game but just kept recycling the ball and setting up attacks. Half time 3-0

Into the second half and a few changes and momentum was lost. Northend took their foot off the gas and let Aquinas back into the game. However, Aquinas never looked to have that cutting edge up top and the back four were still comfortable. A ball into Da Prato on the half way line saw him control and play a blind diagonal pass around the corner into the run of Higgins. Dara drove into the space and into the penalty area and calmly smashed it across the keeper and into the far corner to all but end this game as a contest. The game petered out, Northend just counting down the minutes until the final whistle. Finally the whistle was blown and the side-line rushed onto the pitch in wild celebration of the victory on the day and finally the league title. They are crowned champions buy will have to await the presentation of trophy patiently. The boys deserve great credit for the way they have performed and conducted themselves this season. In their first season together in a new team they have gelled quickly and improved immensely. The coaches are very proud of their achievement but it was earned on the training pitch with high attendances, hard work, listening and a willingness to learn and improve. Martin was highlighted today for his hard work, endeavour, leaving everything on the pitch today, epitomising this wee group as a whole. Well done all? Full Time 4-0

Man of the Match: Paudie Martin

Panel: Lughan Hardy, Callum O’Neill, Liam Slattery, Ronan Maguire, Harry McKay, Corey King, Joshua Dillon, Noah Patenall, Ben Duncan, Cormac Higgins, Paudie Martin, Caleb Da Prato (c), Pearse Neeson, Oisin Gordon, Dara Higgins and Kane McNeill

Northend Colts 4 v Aquinas 2 Tuesday 9th April 2024

A highly competitive encounter under the lights at Crumlin 3G saw the young blues come out the right side of a victory in a six goal thriller. This one was taken all the way but the blues killed the game off in the closing stages.

Northend started the better of the two teams trying to carve out an opening but the front two of Higgins and Gordon found it very difficult against a very stubborn, resilient defence. The midfield four of Higgins, Da Prato, Duncan and Patenall had control of the game but they were not able to provide supply for the killer pass. Duncan looked the most threatening with a couple of efforts from distance but the young Aquinas keeper held onto them well. Aquinas started to grow into the game with genuine pace on either flank. Dillon and Neeson had to be on their A game to stem the tide. O’Neill was also having a very good game at centre half and Slattery was immense at sweeper mopping up all the bits and pieces. A bit of a concentration lapse saw Hardy pick up a ball he had already put down and conceded an indirect free kick within the penalty box. Aquinas moved the ball quickly and Northend were slow to react and charge down the ball. The shot was drilled by the foot of the post and just wide to relief. The bench reacted to bring on King up top to add to the goal threat and get Northend going the other way. Kings entry onto the field had almost immediate impact getting Northend back up the pitch with it sticking, showing composure on the ball. A great bit of interplay saw Gordon pick the ball up in the box. He dropped the shoulder beat his man and showed great calm to clinically slot it in corner and take the lead. Before the half end Higgins who had been full of running down the right cut inside and fired one into the top corner to double the tally. Half time 2-0

Northend came out in the second half on the front foot and Higgins was again dominating the right side. He created a few openings but the final ball was just missing to extend their lead further. Then King was smashed off the ball in the penalty box and the referee had no hesitation to award a penalty. King didn’t wait around to hit the spot, rushing it slightly and smashing it off the cross bar. However, Northend reacted the quickest and Duncan was straight onto the loose ball to smash it into the net. Three up with seven minutes of the second half played. To their credit Aquinas didn’t give up and if anything upped the intensity. Northend were getting overrun down their left side and it seemed if Aquinas had an extra player. A crossed ball into the penalty area saw Maguire isolated at the back post. The Aquinas player won the ball, spun Ronan, created a yard of space and slotted it into the corner. 3-1. Game on! Northend were now getting overrun and with ten to go a free kick was awarded harshly after Neeson made a robust but fair challenge. He was also booked. The ball was played into the heart of the penalty box and Northend could not clear their lines. The ball broke to an Aquinas player on the edge of the six yard box in space. Hardy came flying out of his goal colliding with the player and inadvertently fouling him. Another booking and another penalty. Aquinas smashed the ball down the middle into the back of the net to close the gap to one. The crowd were cheering, the intensity had lifted and this had a real knock out cup feel to it. Northend however reacted well, King showing good composure to keep the ball and take a bit of the sting out of the tie. A quick thrown in to Da Prato on the right seen him beat his man and gain a yard of space. He played a quick ball into King in the box, into his run. Corey redirected into the back of the net to get the winner and effectively end this tie. King was also named MOTM for showing that bit of composure and cutting edge up front when heads were starting to go. Another final to look forward to for the 09s. Full Time 4-2

Player of the Match: Corey King

Panel: L Hardy, C O’Neill, L Slattery, R Maguire, H McKay, C King, J Dillon, N Patenall, B Duncan, C Higgins, P Martin, C Da Prato (c), P Neeson, O Gordon, D Higgins and K McNeill.

Northend Colts 3 Rosario Swifts 1 Saturday 6th April 2024

A tough match in tough conditions saw the young Blues take on Rosario at Grove. Storm Kathleen was in full force today but the Colts managed the elements well and battled hard to take the points and maintain their league position at top of the pile. Only one point now required from final game to secure the title.

Northend started well pushing high up with a front three of Higgins, MacNeill and Dillon, who were seeing a lot of the ball. The strong wind made their intricate, interplay difficult however they came very close to fashioning an opening on occasion. Higgins, Duncan and Da Prato were dominant in midfield but the cross field wind was making the final ball difficult and the Rosario keeper was off his line quickly picking up any through balls. Finally, Dara got in behind but just shot wide of the near post as he passed it by the out rushing keeper. Both teams struggled to keep the ball in play far side but another strong run by Higgins saw him run along the wing and drive to the bye line. He kept the ball in play and from the tightest of angles passed it by the keeper near post to take the lead. Rosario fought back hard and started getting down either side with their pace. Patenall and Neeson did well on the outside but O’Neill and Slattery were needed on occasion to cover. Hardy also offered cover and was quick to pick anything up that came through to the box. After a quarter of an hour another counter saw the ball break to Higgins again and he slotted it away in the corner for his brace and to earn some daylight. Then Gordon ran on to a through ball from Da Prato and volleyed it home clinically for a healthy half time lead. Half Time 3-0

Rosario came out in the second half with all guns blazing and started dominating pressure and possession. With a bit of a wind advantage Rosario kept Northend pressed in high. A drilled ball into the middle was met at the near post with a bullet header from Rosario into the top corner, leaving Hardy no chance. 3-1, Game on! The tide had turned and Duncan dropped deep in a holding midfield role to help deal with the pressure. Gordon dropped back into midfield also to get numbers on the ball. Despite this the Rosario pressure continued. Northend tried to clear their lines but a deflected clearance rebounded fortunately to a Rosario player free in the penalty box. He volleyed it into the corner but somehow Hardy at full stretch pulled off a spectacular, reflex save to turn it by the post. Save of the season! Northend still couldn’t get out. Then a Rosario free kick from outside the area rattled the top of the crossbar. Some great kicking against the wind from Hardy saw Northend back up the pitch. Gordon danced his way passed three players in the penalty box before his shot was saved. Then Hardy had to be alive again to a one v one in the box. His sliding tackle was on point taking ball then man to avert the danger. Northend fought hard in the last five to see the game out. This was epitomized by Gordon running down lost causes and keeping the pressure on. He earned a free kick in stoppage time, Da Prato coming close as the keeper pushed it out on the line from under the cross bar. In the end the boys were deserved of their victory in tough conditions against a good Rosario side. Hardy was highlighted for a first class performance between the sticks. Two big saves, on the front foot, handling and kicking well. Didn’t put a foot wrong all day. Well done all. Full Time 3-1

Man of the Match: Lugan Hardy

Panel: Lughan Hardy, Callum O’Neill, Liam Slattery, Ronan Maguire, Harry McKay, Joshua Dillon, Noah Patenall, Ben Duncan, Paudie Martin, Caleb Da Prato (c), Callum Higgins, Pearse Neeson, Dara Higgins, Oisin Gordon, Corey King and Kane McNeill

Northend Colts 5 Antrim Rovers 0 Saturday 23rd March 2023

A rematch of last week’s cup fixture and again a very hard fought match in tough conditions, this time at the Valley. The young blues battled hard in the first half against the conditions and an aggressive, obstinate opponent in Rovers. In the end the Colts ran out comfortable winners to maintain their league position at the top of the pile.

Both teams slugged it out in the first ten trying to gain the upper hand with few chances. Some good football with a switch of play from Da Prato to Higgins saw Cormac get in down the left and put in an early testing cross. King met it perfectly with an attacking header but it was well saved. Patenall, Neeson and Slattery were on the front foot at the back, stepping out behind their markers and resetting the play. Duncan and Da Prato started having more influence in the middle. Then another good ball wide left saw Martin cut in and play a great ball to Duncan. Ben calmly slotted in over the keeper to take the lead. Higgins then started seeing more of the ball on the right. He was aggressive and had the beating of his man. He fashioned a couple of good openings but was unlucky to miss the target twice. Northend continued to dominate and a great ball in behind by Da Prato saw Gordon in the clear. Oisin had the confidence and strength to hold off two defenders, turn them inside out and calmly slot the ball under the keeper to deservedly double their lead. Half time 2-0

Northend didn’t stop after the whistle and we’re on the front foot from the off. Dillon was aggressive in midfield winning good ball and making great use of it. He picked the ball up on the edge of the area and created a yard of space. A shot was on but he picked out Higgins at the back post with the most audacious chipped pass. It fell perfectly to Dara who took one touch and hit it cleanly into the back of the net. Northend started to pass the ball around brilliantly. A great bit of interplay between Duncan and Da Prato on the edge of the box saw Duncan finish off a one two with a smasher into the far corner. Ben put another one in the back of the net not long after but the ref scrubbed off his hat trick by saying it hadn’t crossed the line. Dillon who was on song today nearly capped off his performance with a goal. Higgins made another strong run on the right beating his man to the bye line, cutting the ball back beautifully to Dillon running in from midfield. Unfortunately his shot was just shy of the near post. Northend had further chances O’Neill coming close from a corner but the final goal came from an OG. Gordon was about to score his brace before the final whistle but slipped in the mud. The keeper made an attempt to clear it as Oisin got up to stick it in but the keeper could only unfortunately put in his own net. Another great performance from the colts who continue to improve week on week. Two matches and four points away from a first league title in their debut season. Lots of hard work still required though and the old adage of one game at a time. Young Dillon was highlighted for a very complete and aggressive performance. Always on the front foot, displaying good ability on the ball and making great use of it with some very intelligent forward passes. Full Time 5-0

Player of the Match: Joshua Dillon

Panel: Lughan Hardy, Callum O’Neill, Liam Slattery, Ronan Maguire, Harry McKay, Joshua Dillon, Noel Patenall, Ben Duncan, Cormac Higgins, Corey King, Paudie Martin, Caleb Da Prato (c), Oisin Gordon, Pearse Neeson, Dara Higgins and Kane McNeill

Northend Colts 3 Antrim Rovers 0 Saturday 16th March 2024

A tough match in tough conditions in the rain on a mucky Mallusk pitch saw a physical competitive cup tie between two well matched sides. The young blues fought hard and earned their victory in a hard-working performance with some good football on show.

There was little between the teams from the off with Rovers determined to put the pressure on Northend using the wind to their advantage. A few testing balls behind the defence were well dealt with by Hardy in goal who was quick off his line. Northend grew slowly into the game as Duncan and Da Prato started getting more ball in midfield. C Higgins was very aggressive on the left and his work rate and endeavour drove him in behind wide left. He delivered a first time ball across goal which was perfectly met by Patenall coming in from the right. The keeper made a brilliant reaction save but Patenall was straight onto the second ball but his glancing header just dipped over the crossbar. MacNeill and D Higgins linked well up top but they were having very little impact against a packed defence. Rovers kept trying to get down the channels where they had pace on either side but Slattery and Neeson were immense on the outside and O’Neill and McKay looked comfortable at centre back. A long ball in behind from the keeper caught Northend out once and the right winger got in behind. McKay stepped across to force him wide of goal and Slattery’s pace got him back to put pressure on the ball. Still the Rovers man got a shot away but Hardy was alive to it and made a good save across goal and was fast to react to pick up the second ball. The bench reacted and made some changes bringing on Dillon into midfield and pushing Duncan further forward to exert more physicality on the Antrim backline. Higgins appreciated the support up top which allowed him more time and space on the ball. Some great football on the right between Patenall and Neeson released Higgins. Dara ran direct at goal and unleashed a fierce shot from a tight angle right side. The keeper made a valiant effort to save and got hands on. However, he could not keep the shot out and dropped in over the line for Northend to get their noses in front. Dara nearly doubled the lead soon after but his shot went just wide and the blues went in at the break with a marginal lead. Half time 1-0

Northend started the second half with the same shape with Martin onto the midfield for some fresh legs. Rovers found it hard to play out with the long ball against the wind which kept the play mostly in their half. Northend kept the ball moving forward quickly and kept all the pressure on Rovers. Higgins was played through on goal. The big defender got a recovery challenge which smashed off the outrushing keeper and broke to Duncan who calmly slotted the ball home to double the lead. All the play was going one way and Duncan came close with another chance soon after but just wide. Then Higgins started to get in on the action but only for the Rovers keepers to pull off a couple of big saves to stop the score rising. He then pulled off another good save from a Duncan free kick and the keeper recovered the ball on the second attempt. Rovers tried to play out from the back but hard work from Martin and Dillon in midfield stopped them getting out. Then Duncan finally got his second with a flick on from a Slattery corner to end the game as a tie and the young blues go into their first semi-final as a team. Antrim Rovers made this a very good game and are wished well for the rest of the season. Lots of strong performers but Slattery was highlighted for his work rate, no nonsense defending and always on the front foot. Full Time 3-0

Man of the Match: Liam Slattery

Panel: Lughan Hardy, Callum O’Neill, Liam Slattery, Ronan Maguire, Harry McKay, Joshua Dillon, Noah Patenall, Ben Duncan, Cormac Higgins, Paudie Martin, Caleb Da Prato (c), Pearse Neeson, Dara Higgins and Kane McNeill

Northend Colts 6 Loughside 2 Saturday 9th March 2023

Today’s match was a bit of a victory parade for the young blues in blustery conditions at Grove. It was very much a one-sided affair and a very comfortable win in the end.

Northend started well on the front foot and stroked the ball around well in midfield with Da Prato, Dillon and Duncan in full control. Martin, Higgins and MacNeill were working hard showing some good interplay. A great through ball saw MacNeill open up his body and with his first touch get straight through in on goal. He waited until the keeper was close and then dinked the ball into the top corner to go one up. MacNeill now full of confidence attempted an audacious overhead kick at the near post but just didn’t get the right contact. At the next chance of asking he would get another chance as the ball was played across to him on the edge of the area. He took a snap shot volley which flew and dipped in over the keeper and under the cross bar for a very impressive brace early doors. Northend continued to play all the football and another switched pass was played in from midfield to MacNeill. Without hesitation he took another snap shot from outside the box on the half volley. His shot bent all the way in around the far corner leaving the Loughside keeper no chance, for a sensational first quarter hattrick. Eager to get on the score sheet again Kane inadvertently caused a debut goal from young Dillon cancelled for offside. Dillon had cut in from the left onto his favoured right foot and stroked the ball into the corner past the keeper. MacNeill dived at it to get a touch from an offside position and the goal was ruled out. Not to be undone Loughside got up the pitch with some good interplay between King and Patenall to release Gordon. Oisin burst through in on goal and calmly slotted into the corner to get a goal back. Then just before the half end a quick corner from Da Prato was met by Duncan at the near post to slide in under the keeper Half time 4-1

Loughside did better in the second half with the wind at their backs. However, Gordon was producing an impressive display up front for Northend. He had the keeper working to pull off a good save and then hit the cross bar with a chipped speculative effort. However, not long after he ran through and smashed one into the top corner. Not to be outdone MacNeill who had been producing an impressive display wide right got in on the end of a Da Prato knockdown and smashed another in over the keeper’s head. Gordon was back on the scoresheet again for his hattrick before Loughside got a consolation goal. Slattery had broken free wide right and had the pace to hold off the defence and composure to stroke the ball in past Hardy for another goal.

Another three points for the young blues and some great composure and confidence in front of goal. This was epitomised by the front two of MacNeill and Gordon today. Kane gets the nod for man of the match with four first class goals. His performance was also of a high level to match his finishing offering width, making good runs and getting good delivery into the box. Full Time 6-2

Player of the Match: Kane MacNeill

Panel: Lughan Hardy, Callum O’Neill, Liam Slattery, Ronan Maguire, Harry McKay, Joshua Dillon, Noah Patenall, Ben Duncan, Paudie Martin, Caleb Da Prato (c), Pearse Neeson, Darra Higgins, Oisin Gordon, Corey King and Kane McNeill.

Northend Colts 5 Albert Foundry 0 Saturday 2nd March 2024

The U15 Colts continued their recent good form, pushing for League honours, this time with a 5-0 win over the Albert Foundry. A hat-trick of goals from prolific striker Ben Duncan, with other goals from Sam McArdle and Noah Patenall were enough to earn the Blues another good win. Full time 5-0

Panel: Lughan Hardy, Paudie Martin, Callum O’Neill, Kian O’Neill, Noel Patenall (C), Liam Slattery, Ben Duncan, Sam McArdle, Caleb Da Prato, Corey King, Pearse Neeson, Kane McNeill, Dara Higgins, Oisin Gordon, Ronan Maguire, Harry McKay, Cormac Higgins