Sports - Football

 

NI Senior Plate Final

Wednesday 24^th April 2013

Ballymena Showgrounds

Dromore HS 3 St. Pius X Coll 2

 Having undoubtedly played our most impressive football in this competition everyone looked forward to what would be a fantastic occasion.  The NI Schools’ FA organised that all the age-group finals would  be played on the same day, at the same venue – staggered kick-offs and several pitches obviously!!  This made the experience of any school reaching a NI decider all the more special.  With the Plate final to be played on the artificial 3G, this held no fears for Dromore as probably our best performance of the season (SF win against Foyle) was also on 3G.

Unfortunately we did not start with the intensity that was planned, allowing St. Pius time on the ball, with not enough challenges for possession.  The attitude of this team could never be questioned – the occasion and its associated nerves clearly affected Dromore in the first half.  St. Pius took the lead midway through with a scrappy goal after a defensive mix-up.  As the half progressed we slowly got back into the game, although the St. Pius forwards caused us continual problems with their pace.  The back four coped to a certain extent, but there were some tricky moments.  Attempts on goal came mainly from Robert Gibson and Danny Davison free-kicks as the half closed with Dromore 1-0 down. 

Even from the first minute of the second it was obvious that the boys emerged with a new purpose and an increased intensity.  No longer were our Magherafelt opponents allowed time when in possession, communication got louder and the boys looked more confident.  Against the run of play we went 2-0.  Although one or two players momentarily dropped their heads, this did not last long. Keith McGuigan and Robert Gibson had settled the back four with Ross Kerr making his usual effective tackles.  Andrew Compton had provided more energy in midfield with Ross Bingham adopting a more defensive role.  We took hold of the ball and held onto it with more success.  Pressure on their defence led to Kurtis Bain scoring, setting up an exciting last 20mins.  After an altercation, a player from both sides received a red card – Ross Bingham can count himself extremely unlucky to be dismissed with his opponent having raised his arms several times during  the match.  This quite clearly galvanised Dromore, with the intensity level cranked up another notch.

With Bain, Steven Adair and Danny Davison (capt) having much more fun attacking, Dromore started to take control of the match.  A cross by Christian Kennedy led to Bain challenging for the ball with the ‘keeper.  In the modern game it was refreshing for the ref to ‘allow’ the keeper to be challenged as the ball rolled over the line with the tie now level!  Although St. Pius were always dangerous in attack McGuigan and McMullan defended well.  There was only going to be one winner now as Dromore poured forward at every opportunity – the fitness levels shown in previous rounds were again in evidence.  After more pressure on their wilting defence our captain, Danny Davison, stepped up to stroke home a loose ball.  The final few minutes were played out with relative comfort as Dromore HS became the first side to win the inaugural Plate competition.  It is also the first NI title for the school.  Well done boys!!

 

Team – Andrew Rowan; Ross Kerr, Robert Gibson, Keith McGuigan, William McCutcheon (Scott McMullan); Steven Adair, Ross Bingham, Christopher Harrison (Christian Kennedy); Danny Davison (capt), Kurtis Bain

Reserves not used – Christopher Treacy, Timothy McCracken, Adam McDonald, Colin Frazer

 

NI Senior (U16) Plate

Fivemiletown HS (h)                       w/o                          Round 1

St. Patrick’s Acad, Lis (a)         0-0 (won 4-3 on pens)    Round 2    

Glengormley HS (Mallusk)         2-1 (aet)                       Quarter-Final    (Kennedy, OG McCracken asst!)

Foyle Coll (Solitude)                  3-1                               Semi-Final         (Bain, Davison, Kennedy)

St.Pius X Coll  (Bmena)             3-2                               Final                 (Bain 2, Davison)

 

 

Monday 3.30pm - 4.45 pm

Year 10 and 11 - Mr Kirk

 

Wednesday 3.30 pm - 4.45 pm

Year 11, 12, 13 and 14 - Mr Kirk and Mr Crothers

 

Thursday 3.30 pm - 4.45 pm

Year 8 and 9 - Mr Kirk and Mr Parks

 

Friday 3.30 pm - 4.45 pm

Year 8 - Mr Kirk

 

Fixtures and Results

U14	Friendly	20th Sept	Newry HS	H	W 4-1		Scott 2, Kerr, Morrow
U14	Friendly	26th Sept	Dromore HS U15	H	W 5-0		Scott 2, Kerr, Morrow, Atkinson
U14	MidUlsterLeague	9th October	Killicomaine JHS	H	W 3-1		Forbes, Morrow, Bell (p)
U14	NI Cup	12th October	Lurgan JHS	H	W 5-1		Morrow 3, Scott 2
U14	MidUlsterCup	25th Oct	City ofArmaghHS	H	W 4-0		Morrow,Bell, Scott, Geddis
U14	NI Cup	5th Nov	LisnealCollege	H	L 1-3		Scott
U14	MidUlsterLeague	7th Nov	Clounagh JHS	A	L 1-4		Montgomery
U14	MidUlsterLeague	TBA	Lismore Comp	A
U14	MidUlsterLeague	TBA	Lurgan JHS	H
U14	MidUlsterCup (QF)	TBA	Newbridge / Clounagh	A
U14	South Down Cup	TBA	-	-
U13	Friendly	10th October	Lurgan JHS	H	L 0-3
U13	South Down League	17th October	Newbridge IC	A	L 2-3		Montgomery2
U13	Friendly	9th Nov	Lisnagarvey HS	H	L 0-1
U13	South Down League	4th Dec	Kilkeel HS	H	-
U13	South Down League	TBA	Newry HS	A	-
U13	MidUlsterCup (SF)	TBA	Tandragee JHS	A	-