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Bosco star Conal Gallagher lines out for the Down Minor team next Sunday against Fermanagh in the first round of the Ulster Minor Championship in Brewster Park when Down will take on Fermanagh and all in the club wish him well.
Seniors
Atticall 0-11 Naomh Eoin Bosco 1-12
The seniors gained another 2 valuable points in their quest for league honours when they had a last gasp win away to Atticall on Friday night. The first half started well for the boys in amber and they went ahead early on but some poor passing, shot selection, and indiscipline in defence allowed Atticall to stay in touch with the half time score reading 0-7 0-4 in favour of the visitors. The Bosco lads stayed well ahead during the third quarter but the controversial stopping of the game by the referee for attention to be given to an injured Atticall player when Bosco were bearing down on goal seemed to be a turning point in the contest. The Bosco lads allowed this development to upset their rhythm and Atticall gained the ascendancy around midfield. Having been 5 points down when the decision was made, the home team clawed their way back to be only one point behind with 2 minutes of the game remaining. Bosco were on the back foot but this team doesn't lie down and a minute later they scored the critical goal which secured the win - their 7th of the season. This victory keeps them in 3rd position in the league, 1 point behind 2nd placed Saul with a game in hand. Next game is away to Ballymartin in Longstone next Friday night at 7.30 and all support is very welcome.
U14 Girls
St John Bosco vs. Teconnaught U14 Girls 27th May 2012
U14 girls met Teconnaught on a blistering hot Sunday ‘top of the table clash.’ With both teams sitting on six points in the league, this match was difficult to call on paper. Both teams played cautious football for the first ten minutes but the Bosco girls soon began to take some tentative scores. Again the defence held firm but the forwards at times made heavy work at taking scores, tending to over play the ball in front of goal. Half time 0.07 and 0.00 in favour of the Bosco.
After some well earned water and some words of encouragement, the girls once again imposed their dominance. S O’Hare showed great fitness levels and D Quinn soon began to display her usual scoring prowess. Great performances were also displayed by L Cunningham, B Collins, A Jackson, V Gratten and M Gilbert. Three U12 girls joined the panel for the match and all had excellent games. P Connelly came on in the second half as the Bosco girls took point after point. Goals eluded the girls time after time but the points continued to flow. Teconnaught replied with two late goals in the match but the points at this stage were definitely going to the Bosco girls.
Final score: Bosco 0.21 Teconnaught 2.00
U 14’s
Tuesday 22nd Bailieglas V St. John Bosco at Kilkeel
On Tuesday May 22nd St. John Bosco U14 squad made the journey to Kilkeel to play Bailieglas. On a beautiful evening Bosco arrived on the pitch only minutes before the throw in and winning the toss, elected to play into the evening sun.
This season Bosco have tended to be slow starters, almost in doubt at their own ability and tonight was to be no different. In the opening 10 minutes Bosco were lacking in pace, confidence and tactically seemed at sea. Bailieglas started with great energy and determination and racked up 3 points before they saw their number 9 suffer a very nasty knee injury. The lad was in distress and play was held up for a good 10 minutes while he was tended to by Bosco & Bailieglas first aiders. He was stretchered off and the loss of this talented playmaker and the interruption to the flow of play favouring Bailieglas allowed Bosco time to re-examine their performance.
Bosco restarted a different team and Devin Quigley who was in great form pointed which was the first score of many but took 15 minutes to bank. However, Bosco were guilty of fouls in the scoring zone that allowed Bailieglas to stay in the hunt.
The second half continued in a similar vein with Bosco pushing on hard and playing with an intensity and fluency that saw them close this contest out with a comfortable margin. Bailieglas were wasteful though with numerous wides and squandered opportunities.
Mention should be made also of Sé Irwin who had been placed in left half back and seemed to relish this berth. Others deserving mention are Micheal Dillon, Toby Woods, Aaron Osborne, Paul Hadden and Michael O’Hare. It was also another good performance from Jack Quinn in nets but in truth once Bosco got motoring they were solid in all areas resulting in a 3rd win from 4 played.
Thursday 24th the St. John Bosco V Drumgath Jack Mackin Park
They say history repeats itself but we didn’t expect it from the Bosco U14’s twice in the same week! Frustration from the sideline was justifiable as yet again the Bosco lads seemed to be dazzled and in awe of their tormentors. Some very poor passing and marking saw the visitors gallop off into a goal and 6 point lead to no score. With a mountain to climb, at this stage my notes are short with ‘dreadful’ the only comment. Toby Woods was one of the few Bosco players at this stage who seemed in control.
Besides some slick passing and link-up play, Drumgath had a simple and effective game plan – drag the Bosco backs out of position and leave acres of space for penetrating runs and inevitable scores.
Half time was a welcome relief for the good home crowd and the players in a frustrating opening half. Whatever was said at half time worked together with some tactical substitutions and a clear instruction to defenders to defend. Following this advice, they stood their ground despite the temptation to go walk-about. Ciaran Byrne, Lucas Rossiter, Aidan MacNamara, Aaron Osborne and Sé Irwin provided a reassuring barrier and scores followed.
These slow starts are a worry and could catch Bosco out but nevertheless they deserve real credit for fighting their way out of this one and coming home with a tally of: St. John Bosco 5:10 Drumgath 1:12 and 4 wins from 5 games.
Next up is Round 8, St. John Bosco V Atticall 28th May in Jack Mackin Park
U12 Girls
Naomh Eoin Bosco vs Sabháil Jack Mackin Park Saturday 26th May 2012
The Bosco under 12 girls had a great result against local rivals Saval in their league match at Jack Mackin Park on Saturday. The midfield pair of Aine McCabe and Orlagh Burke dominated this area and provided great support to the forward line. Nicola Downey scored several excellent scores including two fisted points in the second half. Katie Grant and Aimee Murtagh won great possession against a strong Saval defence and new players Aime O’Hanlon and Niamh Burns competed well.
The decision to put normal full back Eden Casey into nets proved to be a good one as Saval, spurred on by the Tumilty girls had several shots well saved. Rachel Hanna was a rock at the centre of the defence and helped Bosco to break quickly in the second half.
There were also good performances from Caitlin Murphy; Caomibe McShane; Rebakah Doyle and Cliona Mathers.
Scorers Aiobheann Quinn (2: 2); Nicola Downey (1: 3); Aine McCabe (1: 0); Orlagh Burke (0: 1)
FINAL SCOREBosco 4 :06 Saval 3: 04
