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Fearghal Kennedy represents Rasharkin in the Saffron jersey
7th November 2012
Well Done to Fearghal Kennedy who played his part in Antrim U14 development squad defeating Down last Friday. (See extract below from Antrim GAA website)
The Antrim u-14 football development squad came out on top in a series of games against East Down on Sunday. This was the first competitive run out for the team after a number of sessions throughout the year the latest being on Friday last at St. Marys CBS.
The matches consisted of 4 - 20 minute quarters. The squad of thirty was split into two with each team getting 2 -20 minute periods. It wasn't looking good in the first quarter with Down very much on top and the lack of togetherness was very evident with Antrim. By the end of the quarter however Antrim had started to find their feet with Tiernan Keenan (Gortnamona), CJ McKenna (Aldergrove) and Ciaran Bradley (Cargin) very much to the fore. Down finished two points up at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter saw the other teams take the field and this also was a very tight affair. Down playing with a firm breeze had plenty of possession but strong defence kept the score to 5 points. Joseph Finnegan performed very strongly at midfield and it was his long ball to club mate Peter Webb (St. Brigids) that set up Antrim’s first goal and finished the first half.
Antrim now playing with the wind found the possession game of Down frustrating. However Down found it very difficult to score into the strong breeze and also difficult to get past goalkeeper Peter O'Neill (Lisburn) who pulled off a number of fine saves. With Ferghal Kennedy (St. Mary's Rasharkin) now controlling the half back line Antrim began to get a platform to feed the forward line. It didn't take them long to deliver either with Ciaran Dobbin (Tir na nOg) scoring two quick goals one of which was an absolute peach. The third quarter finished with Antrim in a two point lead.
Once again the teams were alternated for the last quarter. Antrim were hit with a bad blow when Odhran McKenna (Aldergrove) limped off with a hamstring injury. Scores were now coming thick and fast from both teams. It was still very much in the mix but the Antrim Full forward line and particularly John Blaney (St. Brigids) and Aidan Finnegan (St. Pauls) won a number of frees allowing Antrim to keep Down pinned in and increased the lead at the end to 4.
It was a very enjoyable occasion for the young squad with all players getting the same amount of time. The pitch at Ballykinlar was excellent as was the hospitality shown to the Antrim Squad. So thanks to all for that.
The matches consisted of 4 - 20 minute quarters. The squad of thirty was split into two with each team getting 2 -20 minute periods. It wasn't looking good in the first quarter with Down very much on top and the lack of togetherness was very evident with Antrim. By the end of the quarter however Antrim had started to find their feet with Tiernan Keenan (Gortnamona), CJ McKenna (Aldergrove) and Ciaran Bradley (Cargin) very much to the fore. Down finished two points up at the end of the first quarter.
The second quarter saw the other teams take the field and this also was a very tight affair. Down playing with a firm breeze had plenty of possession but strong defence kept the score to 5 points. Joseph Finnegan performed very strongly at midfield and it was his long ball to club mate Peter Webb (St. Brigids) that set up Antrim’s first goal and finished the first half.
Antrim now playing with the wind found the possession game of Down frustrating. However Down found it very difficult to score into the strong breeze and also difficult to get past goalkeeper Peter O'Neill (Lisburn) who pulled off a number of fine saves. With Ferghal Kennedy (St. Mary's Rasharkin) now controlling the half back line Antrim began to get a platform to feed the forward line. It didn't take them long to deliver either with Ciaran Dobbin (Tir na nOg) scoring two quick goals one of which was an absolute peach. The third quarter finished with Antrim in a two point lead.
Once again the teams were alternated for the last quarter. Antrim were hit with a bad blow when Odhran McKenna (Aldergrove) limped off with a hamstring injury. Scores were now coming thick and fast from both teams. It was still very much in the mix but the Antrim Full forward line and particularly John Blaney (St. Brigids) and Aidan Finnegan (St. Pauls) won a number of frees allowing Antrim to keep Down pinned in and increased the lead at the end to 4.
It was a very enjoyable occasion for the young squad with all players getting the same amount of time. The pitch at Ballykinlar was excellent as was the hospitality shown to the Antrim Squad. So thanks to all for that.
