Crossgar Youth League - Week 1 (week commencing 22nd July 2013)

 

Under 6 Section - Napoli Crowned Champions

There were three entertaining under six matches this week and with these teams  playing each other again in the Crossgar Youth League Cup Finals on Saturday the 3rd August the crowd are sure to be entertained. Four goal salvos and man of the match performances from Sizzling Shane Kernan, Dynamite Donal Kielty and Champagne Charlie McCamley made the difference this week.

 

Napoli clinched the league title after a closely fought victory over a talented Roma side. Napoli raced into an early lead in the first half with Shane Kernan's mazy runs and four goals helping Napoli into a 5-1 half time lead. Jamie Gibb also scored a great goal for Napoli but Ethan Gibson brought Roma back into the match with a goal either side of half time. The second half was very evenly contested with Napoli grabbing a final goal when a long through ball from Shane Kernan set up Jamie Gibb for a superb finish.

 

Juventus and AC Milan served up a thrilling contest.  Charlie McCamley popped up early on with a superb strike to give AC Milan the lead after some excellent build up play with William Jackson and Liam Murnin. Juventus came back very strongly and won a penalty but they were to be denied by a great save from Woody Maloney who was outstanding on the day. Woody seemed to spur AC Milan on and Charlie McCamley, the thorn in Juventus' side, broke away to put away his second goal of the match. Juventus did pull back a goal before half time with a cool finish from Donatos Jermakovas and it was game on. Juventus had to lift themselves again when yet again Charlie McCamley ran through the Juventus defence to seal his hat-trick and put AC Milan 3-1 up. Jermakovas scored again but  couldn't find the elusive equaliser with the AC Milan defence standing strong with the help of Jake Ayton. With the scores at 3-2 AC Milan effectively sealed the game with yet another goal from Charlie McCamley to make it 4-2. Juventus did deservedly get their 3rd goal to make it a tense finish but AC Milan held out to take the spoils. There was a lot of tired bodies at the end in what was a thoroughly enjoyable match.

Lazio grabbed their first win of the campaign with Donal Kielty outstanding and scoring four goals. Inter also impressed throughout and scored three great goals from Dillon Karim and a brace from Euan Mcbride. Callum McCargo scored a fifth for Lazio whole Eva Hession, Grace Mooty and Aoise Savage all played well on the night.Inter had their best performance of the season and they must be looking forward to a cup final re-match with Lazio on the 3rd of August.

 

Under 10 Section - Lyon go top of the League
In the U10 section league leaders Bayern Munich were beaten 5-0 by an excellent Lyon team. Lyon’s goal scorers were Noah Kennedy with a hat trick and   two goals from Caoimhe Mulholland with a victory that moves Lyon to the top of the table on goal difference ahead of Munich. Conor Kernan and Lucien Coole played well in defence for Lyon with Cameron Nannery making some impressive runs in midfield.  Reece McCormick and Lewis Montgomery were best for the losing team with Bayern looking  to bounce back in their last league game with Real Madrid.

 

In a tight game Barcelona defeated Real Madrid 2-1 to remain in third place. Barcelona went ahead with a Caolan Lennon strike with Nathan Downey and Matthew Robinson also performing well. Paul Curran’s Real Madrid side equalised with a wonderful strike by Jamie Rice, blasting the ball past the helpless Emmett O’Donnell in goals. Barcelona’s winner was scored by Matthew Robinson who had an excellent game throughout and deserved a goal for his efforts.

 

In the final game of the night Benfica shared the points with Borussia Dortmund in an entertaining 1-1 draw. Niall Taggart put Dortmund in front with a great strike in the first half. Luke Readington went close for Benfica with Tiernan Rogan and Oliver Smyth making some great tackles. In the second half Pearse Cullen pulled off two great saves to deny Niall Taggart. Dortmund continued to dominate with Callum Magee, Luke Murnin and Rian Ward hugely influential. However Benfica in one of their few second half attacks managed an equaliser with a Luke Readington strike taking a wicked deflection and beating Jack Jones in the Borussia Dortmund goal.

 

Under 8 Section - Arsenal are crowned Champions 

 

In the U8 league Arsenal were crowned champions with a 4-0 victory over Chelsea. Michael Morgan was sensational in this game scoring all four goals. Arsenal led 2-0 at half-time despite the best efforts of Matthew Cresswell in the Chelsea goal and Fionn Mulhern in the Chelsea defence. Mulhern went agonisingly close when his wonderful strike was pushed away brilliantly by the Arsenal keeper Bebhionn Rogan. In the second half Chelsea pressed forward with Hannah Morgan, Jude Perry and Chloe Ward battling valiantly. However midway through the second period Morgan went on another dazzling run and smashed  another great shot into the Chelsea net. Ralph McMullan nearly pulled a goal back but was denied by the brilliant Bebhionn Rogan in goal. Michael Morgan rounded off a wonderful individual performance by adding a fourth and Joe Napier’s Arsenal side were crowned worthy champions. A fantastic game to watch with Ryan Gray, Reuben Maitland, Thomas Murphy and Anna Smith also superb for the deserving Gunners.

 

Liverpool defeated an under strength Spurs team 5-2 with Ethan McVeigh once again very impressive for the winners. Jack Hewitt put Liverpool ahead with an excellent strike with Ethan Gummarson equalising for Spurs with a close range effort after good work by Oisin Casement. Ethan McVeigh then struck twice in quick succession to give Liverpool a 3-1 lead at the interval. In the second half Niall Murray was judged to have handled the ball outside the penalty area and Eamon McKinney scored from the resulting penalty. However Ethan McVeigh added two more goals and was ably supported by Daniel Spratt, Molly McKendry and Jack Hewitt as Peter Murray’s side ran out deserving winners.

 

Man City defeated Man Utd 1-0 in a tight game. TJ Hill, Harry Smyth and Joshua Higgins were outstanding for the winners with Patrick Robb and Henry Keys doing well for Utd. Ben Cromie was denied a goal by an excellent save by Jason Withers in the Utd goal as Man City recorded their first win of the season, well done Joanne Smyth’s team.  Man Utd will be hoping for a better turn out in their next game as they face Spurs in the league cup final on Finals day.

 

Under 12 Section - Germany are Champions 

In the U12 section Germany won the league when they were awarded a 2-0 victory due to the fact that Spain were unable to field. The Germany team played a friendly against a select side and impressed again winning 5-2. Eilish Murphy (2), Christy McCallan (2) and Shay McGrattan were the goal scorers as Germany rounded off a superb league campaign securing maximum points from their five games. Congratulations to Tiernan Maguire’s side with Lee Carville, Caolan Carville, Arthur Johnston and Conor Mullan other members of a very successful team.

 

Italy finished runners up in the U12 league after similarly being awarded a 2-0 victory as Holland were also unable to field. Italy will play Germany in the U12 Champions League Final and the game promises to be a cracker. Conor Simpson has been excellent in goals for Italy throughout, with Zach Miskelly solid in defence, Oisin Mulholland, the playmaker in midfield and Conn Murnin has been sensational up front scoring goals for fun. Adam Hession, Adam Kennedy , Hannah Perry and Ciaran Rowan make up a strong Italian side that will be determined to upset the favourites Germany on August 3rd.

 

Josie Spratt’s Ireland team defeated England 3-1 to guarantee third place. Joshua Smyth’s early strike put Ireland ahead though England should have levelled when referee Mal McKinney awarded a controversial penalty when John Spratt was judged to have touched the ball inside the penalty box. Jay Greeves failed to convert the penalty striking his shot wide of the keeper. Ireland continued to dominate with John Spratt adding a second goal just before the interval. In the second half Jay Greeves atoned for his penalty miss with a good strike to make it 2-1 and set up an exciting finale. However Ellen Morgan rounded off an excellent performance with a third goal for Ireland. Josie Spratt’s side were deserving winners and will be hoping to repeat the feat when the teams meet again in the F A Cup final on Finals Day.

Looking Forward to the Crossgar Youth League Finals

This week the under tens play their final round of matches and then all eyes turn to the Crossgar Youth League Finals Day.  All parents, grandparents, friends and families are welcome to come along on the day.  Aswell as twelve entertaining finals there will be something for everyone on the day.  The Crossgar Youth League Committee would like to thank all the parents and friends of the Crossgar Youth League who have given so much support this season and, in particular, for Finals Day on the 3rd of August.  We would also like to thank the many local businesses who have sponsored a cup final or offered to place an advertisement in our Presentation Day Brochure.  There are still sponsorship opportunities available and anyone interested should contact us on chairman@crossgaryouthleague.com as soon as possible.