The under 15’s held to a draw in Castlewellan with the weather conditions playing a big part in the final result, click on the link to read more…

Saturday 24th September – Downpatrick Youth Football League

Castlewellan Town 2 v Downpatrick FC 2

A very wet and windy Saturday morning greeted the boys at the Bann Road pitch but they were upbeat off their win against Kilmore last week. It was obvious from the start conditions were going to dictate play and from the kick off, the ground was heavy underfoot and the ball like a bar of soap!

The midfield immediately decided to take charge of the game and Jack Fitzsimons, Ethan Breen, Naoise O’Hagan and Luke Shields they were pushing forward and supplying plenty of ball for strikers Andrew McClean and Ethan Artt who were looking dangerous. Downpatrick’s first chance was by McClean whose chip on 3 minutes just glided over the bar. A minute later Breen passed through the middle and after a scramble in the box, Artt was there to tap in a simple goal from the disarray.

A long kick out and a couple of decent passes let Castlewellan through the defence and they struck for an equaliser on 11 minutes. The play was scrappy, with accurate passing a challenge in this weather. McClean then got the ball just inside the Castlewellan half and went on a solo run dodging a few defenders to drive home on 14minutes. Downpatrick were pushing forward in the inclement conditions but the final finish couldn’t be found in the rest of the first period with the ball striking the bar twice. O’Hagan had a shot on 26 minutes but the ball drifted wide.

Half Time: Castlewellan Town 1 – Downpatrick FC 2 

The second half brought a number of personnel changes but like the first, the second period was a challenge to keep the ball and complete passes. The chances being created by Downpatrick came via a number of set plays, with shots hitting the bar, but the rebounds were not capitalised with the woodwork hit again and again. Fitzsimons had a number of chances but the again the final prize eluded the boys.  More substitutions brought in fresh legs and Murphy, McGrady, Jones, Glennon and McShane holding their own in the challenging conditions. It looked liked the boys would hold on for the win but Castlewellan made a final push and equalised on 26 minutes.