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On the Silverware Trail
It’s now September and it’s down to the business end of the season in gaelic football. The St John Bosco Club have the Down Junior Ladies Championship and the U14 League trophies in the cabinet in the Water Street clubrooms and several other teams are still in the mix for more silverware.
2 St John Bosco teams in finals
U14s South Down Championship Final St. John Bosco vs Atticall on 15th September at 12:30 in Pairc Esler, Newry.
U16 Girls Down County Final St John Bosco vs Teconnaught date TBC
3 St John Bosco teams in finals
All County Minor B Semi-Final St John Bosco vs Saul Sat 22nd
Down County Intermediate Semi Final St John Bosco vs TBC weekend 5th-7th October venue TBC
U14 Girls Semi-final vs Teconnaught Jack Mackin Park Sun 16th
And after the great win for the Junior Ladies in the Down Championship they have a preliminary round tie against Strabane Sigersons on Sat 15th September 4:00 p.m. in Strabane in the Ulster Championship
Seniors
Bredagh 2-8 St John Bosco 1-12
One thing's for sure, Bosco player's, management and supporters won't want too many night's like Friday night! 10 minutes into the game and the team were 8 points down! An unbelievably bad start. 2 mistakes, 2 goals and the boys were on the back foot straight away. Within a couple of minutes Bredagh had added 2 more points to leave the situation looking grim. The Bosco lads reduced the difference to 6 points by half time but when Bredagh scored the first point of the second half, things were not looking good.
However this Bosco team is made of tough stuff and they stayed calm, took excellent scores and eventually took the lead with 5 minutes remaining. The drama still wasn't over as Bredagh were awarded a penalty which they shot wide of the left hand post. This turned out to be their last opportunity and the Bosco lads held on to win by the minimum. A poor first half performance was more than compensated for by a spirited and gutsy second half display which has led to an appearance in the semi-final of the Intermediate Championship which is due to be played on a date over the weekend of 5th-7th October. The seniors still have 3 league games to play. Their nest fixture is a home game in Jack Mackin Park against Ballymartin next Saturday the 15th throw in at 5:00 p.m.
U16 girls
St John Bosco vs Clonduff Semi-final Down County Championship
St John Bosco 4:06 Clonduff 2:06.
This semi final win sets the U16 girls up against Teconnaught in the final.
U14s
September 3rd 2012 - U14 South Down Championship Semi Final Sr John Bosco vs Drumgath.
Drumgath were the visitors to Jack Mackin Park for this latest encounter between these two well matched sides. Bosco had the upper hand in their two previous encounters and haven’t tasted defeat since June 20th.
Bosco won the toss and from the throw-in it was clear that Drumgath meant business. Indeed it was the solid work of Ciaran Byrne and the defence that halted their opening salvos. Three minutes in and a Bosco attack was illegally halted and Micheal Dillon converted the resultant free.
The breeze in the first half was considerable and favouring Bosco, they were going to have to rack up a significant cushion by half time. Drumgath were guilty of some wasteful play and conceding frees within the scoring zone which were duly despatched by Dillon.
Bosco quickly upped their workrate and Devin Quigley and Ruairi Lavery slotted some truly excellent points intelligently using the assistance of the breeze.
Drumgath were playing well and were really up for this game and managed to get the ball ahead of the Bosco defence who were left helpless as the ball was blasted into the net. The visitors also popped over a couple of nice points under pressure and were very much in contention.
The first half remained very physical with bookings inevitable and in one incident Kevin Boyle was despatched to the sideline for a striking offence when things boiled over. Bosco now reduced to 14 men had to dig deep and Ruairi Lavery managed to maximise an opportunity and buried the ball into the Drumgath net.
The half time score was Bosco 1:7 Drumgath 1:2 but the country boys were to enjoy the benefit of the breeze and an extra man in the second half.
The sizable crowd saw Drumgath hit a purple patch from the off with 4 unanswered points and the Bosco lads were really struggling to contain their relentless attacks. However the backs and midfield duo of Micheal Dillon and Martin Keenan worked hard maximising their aerial advantage. Paul Hadden was tireless and opened the second half account to leave them two points up. This settled Bosco and Ruairi belted in his second goal putting some daylight between the teams.
Devin Quigley pointed two real beauties and Darren McCabe who came on a sub was really nippy and also scored a wonderful point.
With 10 minutes to go Bosco were really motoring and effectively closed this contest out leaving the final scoreline: St. John Bosco 2:12 to Drumgath 1:8
Having won their league the Bosco U14 boys have a wonderful opportunity to do the double and we would encourage supporters to come along next Saturday to Pairc Esler to cheer on the boys in Royal and Amber!
U12 & U10 Girls
Carryduff Tournament Saturday 8th September 2012
The under 10 and under 12 girls had an enjoyable day on Saturday at the annual Carryduff Tournament. 24 players made the trip and had the opportunity to play teams from Clann Eireann, Bredagh, Ardoyne Kickhams, St Bridies, St Enda’s and Aodh Ruadh. 12 clubs took part and Clann Eireann were the eventual winners of the cup. A special thanks to all the mentors and parents who provided the transport on the day.
U10s
Naomh Eoin Bosco v Naomh Cillian Pairc Naomh Cillian
St John Bosco vs St Killian’s Whitecross Sunday 9th September
The U10’s were away to St Killian’s on Sunday 9th in the return fixture of the game played a week previous.
Without Jack O’Hare, Padraig Gallagher, Pól Óg McCormack, Daniel Preece, Aidan McDonald, Ryan Shields and Josh McAleavy the lads in royal and amber were severely depleted and were up against a big strong Whitecross team. However once again the lads rose to the occasion and delivered a great performances from right across the team especially from captain Cathal McStay, Jack White, Ross Quigley Keith McGrath, Nathan Gribben and Calum McNulty who was just back from the holidays.
Next up for the U10s is an away fixture against Carrickcruppen on Sunday 16th.
Coláiste Bhríde Ó Méith celebrations
The St John Bosco clubrooms were packed on Friday night for the concert from Donegal Gaeltacht singer Doimnic Mac Giolla Bhríde.
and Saturday last for the Newry Branch Gaelic League exhibition on the famous Omeath Gaeltacht college
