Write a commentSt John Bosco U16s
U16 Boys Section C All County Football League
8th May 2014 Round 4 Kilclief V St. John Bosco
On May 8th a strong Bosco contingent made the long Thursday night trip to Kilclief. The home side made the brighter start and opened the scoring with the first two points from frees after the Bosco defence were deemed to have fouled within the scoring zone.
Toby Woods worked hard all evening and was later to score 4 points but not before an errant pass allowed Kilclief through on goal. It was a jittery Bosco who now trailed 1:02 to no score before Aidan MacNamara powered through the centre and slotted over Bosco’s opening score. This seemed to settle the visitors and a second point followed quickly after Ryan McAleavey’s interception was passed to Devin Quigley who split the posts.
Kilclief responded in kind but Bosco battled away and despite several wides into the breeze it was Bosco who looked the more menacing. Ryan McAleavey, Kevin Boyle and Paul Hadden (Capt.) all worked hard and McAleavy scored Bosco’s opening goal before the break at which point Bosco were up 3 points. Kilclief weren’t going to lie down though and before the break responded with 2 more points leaving half-time score Kilclief 1:06 to Bosco’s 1:7
The second half was more composed from Bosco and despite some interesting decisions from the man in the middle they started to dominate all areas of the pitch. Ruairi Lavery came off the worse after an accidental clash when he courageously went full throttle for a 50:50 ball against a much bigger marker, he was substituted due to his injuries and he deserves special mention for his workrate and determination.
10 minutes into the second period Bosco started to pretty much shoot at will and the bench was emptied. Goals flowed from Kevin Boyle who was composed throughout this contest, Stephen O’Connor, Ryan McAleavey and Devin Quigley. In truth Bosco were probably shooting for goal when points would have been the far more sensible option but nonetheless they secured the 2 points as they prepare for their next game before a short exam break.
Final score: Kilclief 1:9 St. John Bosco 5:13
Next game is at home to Ballyholand on Sunday 11th May 2014 at 6pm followed by a break before an away match at Kilcoo on 8th June.
St John Bosco U16 Girls
St John Bosco vs Ballymartin Sunday 11th May 2014 at Jack Mackin Park
The u16 girls recorded a hard fought victory against a Ballymartin at the weekend. In the first half Ballymartin had the advantage of a slight breeze and they scored 1: 02 before Bosco registered their first point from Dearbhaha Quinn. The game was very even but Ballymartin were much more clinical and added a further two points before the break. As half time approached the Bosco girls produced the best move of the game involving Sinead O’Hare, Orlagh Burke and Aoibheann Quinn to set up Dearbhala Quinn for a well taken goal.
Half time Score Bosco 1:01 Ballymartin 1:04
In the second half the Bosco defence were much more composed in their passing and the home side started to dominate possession with Dearbahla McGovern and Cliona Doherty both excellent. Points were added by Dearbhala Quinn and Vicky Gratton before some excellent play by Niamh McCullagh created the second goal chance and Dearbhala Quinn finlished to the net. Ballymartin continued to press for a goal to get back in the game and the Bosco full backs of Eden Casey, Alex Shortall and Laura McKeown were under pressure but a breakaway move led to an excellent point from Aiofe Jackson to secure the win.
Bosco are now second in the table one point behind Burren having played 4, win 3 and lost 1
Final Score Bosco 2:05 Ballymartin 1:05
St John Bosco U16 Roisin Kelly selected to play for Down
Bosco u16 goalkeeper, Roisin Kelly has been selected on the Down team to play in the Ulster Final this Saturday 17th May 2014 against Monaghan. The game will be played in Carrickcruppin with a 1.15pm throw in. The club wishes Roisin and all the Down players the very best of luck for the final.
St John Bosco U12 Girls
St John Bosco vs Rostrevor Wednesday 7th May 2014
The U12 girls continued their league programme with an excellent and competitive game against Rostrevor. Each match this young team are progressing and developing their skills.
This week there were good performances from Katie Grant and Clara Osborne at the back and some great scores from Aiofe Murtagh and Rachel McAteer
The team now plays Saval away on Wednesday night 14th May.
Girls u12 team before their match with Rostrevor
Bosco u12 girls introduce new training method!
The great facilities at St Colman’s have been a benefit to all the Bosco teams over the last few years, but the u12 girls have found a new and innovative way to warm up before matches. The GAA in Croke Park are said to be interested.
St John Bosco U12s
St John Bosco vs Baileglas Glassdrumman Sunday 11th May
On the road for the first time this season the U12’s travelled to Glasdrumman to face the combined Ballymartin/Glasdrumman U12s.
With the Cinammond brothers Ronan and Jamie missing (away on GIRO duties) and with star midfielder Jack White still out through injury the team had 15 players to call upon.
Within 2 minutes of the throw in Bosco went in front with a well worked point from the right boot of Pól Óg McCormack, however Baileglas were soon back on level terms. Three unanswered points left Bosco trailing midway through the first half before midfielder Calum MacAnulty broke through the defence and finished the ball low into the left hand corner of the net. Following another point from Pól Óg the Bosco shooting became a little wayward with several shots and a Pól Óg 45’ going wide. Baileglas in response by this time had registered a goal and two points. At the end of the first half the Newry lads were trailing by four points.
Half time Score Bosco 1:02 Baileglas 1:06
Rory McAleavy came on in the second half in nets in place of debutant Kealan McStay. With the wind at their backs it was a different Bosco team that took the field in the second half and Pól Óg registered another two goals in the first five minutes. It was exciting end to end football and Baileglas responded with a point and a goal to keep their noses in front by two.
Birthday boy James Boyle operating as a maurading full forward gave Bosco the lead again when he rifled a left foot bullet into the roof of the net which gave the keeper no chance.
Pól Óg sent another two over the bar and half back Ruiarí O’Hare took an excellent point from the half way line. Baileglas registered another two goals, the second of which keeper McAleavy pulled of an excellent save but was flagged as a goal by the umpire. Bosco were now behind by two when Pól Óg soloed in from the wing and finished the ball to the net. James and Pól Óg added another point each before the move of the game which saw a inch perfect long pass from Calum MacAnulty to Pól Óg in the forward line and the ball was dispatched to the net. Bosco were ahead by six when Baileglas broke through went for goal, Mcaleavy saved but the rebound ended up in the net. Baileglas were now behind by just one score with three minutes to go. However the Bosco back line with Cailim Gray, Keith McGrath and Matthew Monroe closed things down denying any more scores for the home team. There was still time for James and Pól Óg to register another two points to leave the visitors ahead by five points at the end.
Final Score Bosco 6:09 Baileglas 5:07
Notes 4th May
St John Bosco U16s
U16 Boys Division 2 All County Football League
2nd May 2013 Round 3 St. John Bosco v Glenn
This was always going to be a tough encounter between top of the table Glenn and Bosco and it was the visitors who started the brighter after poor passing from Bosco allowed them to open the scoring.
Bosco however collected themselves and some great linkup play allowed Ryan McAleavey through for a quick response. This score settled the Bosco lads with Paul Hadden (Capt.) who was superb in centre half laying the ball off to McAleavey for a second point.
Glenn were unfortunate and wasteful and were punished for their poor finishing in this first half by super counter attacks, Bosco defenders Ciaran Byrne and Rory McParland were rock solid and McParland’s work rate in particular was commendable as he pushed forward delivering some excellent ball. McAleavey was Bosco’s target man and besides some excellent points also scored 2 goals in this opening period.
Aidan MacNamara and Devin Quigley dominated the middle of the field and played intelligent football. The work-rate from Bosco in the first half was excellent with 4 or 5 lads in particular delivering strong and courageous performances.
At the end of the first period the scoreline stood at 2:5 to 4 points in favour of Bosco.
The second period started in a similar vein with Bosco getting the first 3 points from Devin Quigley, Toby Woods and Ryan McAleavey.
But that was more or less it from Bosco bar one more point. Persistent poor passing and a lack of positional awareness allowed a determined Glenn forward to bag their first goal. Failure to use the space that a 13 a side Jack Mackin Park allows and swarming in defence simply led to Bosco failing to win any kick outs in the final 20 minutes. This lack of possession was devastating together with a general lower work-rate, courage and determination and a nippy Glenn corner forward who bagged 2 more goals.
Despite the fact that at this point Bosco were still in this contest they were playing with a less positive attitude and that cost them this game. So although 2 league points were lost here there are plenty of positives to draw on before the next fixture away to Kilclief.
Final score: St. John Bosco 2:12 Glenn 3:12
Next game is away to Kilclief on Thursday May 8th, full attendance and support with lifts is required.
St John Bosco U14 Girls
Sunday 4th May 2014 Down U14 Girls defeat Antrim
Down u14s maintained their winning start in the U14 Ulster league with an impressive win over a talented and determined Antrim side at Musgrave playing fields in Belfast. The match was played in a sporting manner with some excellent play and scores from both sides. The 4 Bosco players again made the starting 15 and contributed to an excellent result. Down now top the league with two wins from two and in with a great chance of winning the Ulster Title. The next match is away to Armagh.
St John Bosco U12 Girls
Wednesday 30th April 2014
The U12 girls played a very entertaining game away to Ballymartin on Wednesday 30th April. This young team has put in some excellent performances this year and they again played well with great efforts from Jenna Wray, Clara Osborne, Sinead Quinn and in particular Molly Harte. The next game for the u12s is on Wednesday night at home to Rostrevor.
St John Bosco U12s
St John Bosco vs Longstone jack Mackin park Sunday 4th May
This was a game of two halves when in reality it should have been three! U12 rules are that the games are 3 sessions each of 20 minutes with the first and last being the competitive halves with the middle 20 minutes providing the time whereby mentors can try out all players on the squad and experiment with different line ups. With 20 players turning up on Sunday and the referee only going for 2 20 minute sessions Bosco mentors Paedar, Kevin, Hugh, David and Paul were left with no choice but to use the second half to try out all the squad.
The first half saw some great football with the two defences coming out on top. It wasn’t until the 8th minute that the first score was registered from the boot of Bosco player Pól Óg McCormack. Longstone piled on the pressure and would have had two or three goals if it wasn’t for the sterling work of Jamie Cinnamond in the Bosco nets. Longstone were two points in front just after the 10 minute mark when James Boyle latched onto a long pass from Cathal MacAnulty and dispatched the ball to the Longstone net. This was followed by 3 goals from Pól ÓgMcCormack, points from Ruarai O’Hare, Cathal MacAnulty and Jack O’Hare. At the break it was 4:3 to 1:4 Bosco.
After the break the Bosco mentors ran the changes which unsettled the team which allowed Longstone back into the match and in the end Longstone ran out winners by 6 points.
Whilst it was frustrating for the young Bosco players to lose a match that they had full control of, it is important that all players get a chance to show their skills and allow the mentors to see the strength and depth of the squad under competitive conditions and it is also important that the County Board ensure comprehensive communication on the rules with all match officials in order to avoid these mistakes and ensure that the rising stars of the GAA are treated with the respect they deserve.
