An Eoin Rooney hat-trick saw the 15’s twice come from behind to secure all three points, click on the link below to find out more…
Saturday 19th September – Lisburn Invitational Junior League under 15’s
Downpatrick FC 3 v Shankill Juniors 2
Downpatrick started slowly and were made to pay for a poor clearance after only 4 minutes, when the ball fell to a Shankill striker who put his side in the lead, giving Shane Campbell in the Downpatrick nets no chance. Downpatrick settled into the game and started moving the ball very well through midfield and creating some chances.
On 20 minutes Corey McCoubrey curled a lovely pass into the path of last years top goalscorer Eoin Rooney and he coolly finished past the on rushing Shankill keeper to bring his side level. Shankill pressed but centre halves Tom Smyth and Caolain Logue held their defence strong, at the other end of the pitch Kian Tierney, Ruairi Quinn and Rooney created chances but couldn’t find the all important breakthrough.
Half Time: Downpatrick FC 1 v Shankill Juniors 1
The beginning of the second half again saw Shankill come out the quickest from the restart and scored within the first few minutes, a well worked goal giving Campbell no chance. Downpatrick raised their game and pressed the Shankill keeper who pulled of a few outstanding saves to deny Tierney, Declan Looney and Rooney.
Then 15 minutes into the half Downpatrick won a corner, Quinn delivered the perfect ball to the front post for Rooney to power home and level the game. A few moments later they won another corner, the same combination of Quinn and Rooney to the front post gave Downpatrick the lead and Rooney completed his first hat-trick of the season.
The young Downpatrick side showed a lot of maturity and belief in themselves as they closed out the game, with Brandon Boyd, Thomas Fitzsimons and Caolain Logue putting in strong performances to keep Shankill at bay and earn a hard fought three points.
