Juniors win Plate

NICHOLAS Turkington’s double inspired County Down to a comfortable 4-1 win over Dundalk Schoolboys League in the NIMC Plate Final at a sun-drenched Riada Stadium on Thursday.

As well as taking the Man of the Match award, the competition organisers then named Turkington as the County Player of the Tournament.

County Down settled into the match from the first whistle. Dylan Power sent over a 2nd minute cross in from the right flank. Turkington’s shot from the edge of the 18 yard box was saved by the Dundalk keeper Matthew Corcoran.

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With five minutes played Matthew Dempster flashed an effort just wide as County Down dominated the early stages.

County Down took the lead on the stroke of half-time. Johnston nipped in ahead of Niall Sharkey and side-footed home from the left.

Dundalk almost equalised after 33 minutes. Sherif Ayaode’s shot was goal-bound until Matthew Dempster arrived to make a clearance off the line.

Down furthered their advantage in fortuitous circumstances four minutes later. Corcoran’s attempted clearance struck Lee Ward and ricocheted into the net.

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To their credit, Dundalk responded immediately. Ryan Rooney’s shot hit Hazard’s post and Dylan O’Hanlon followed up to convert the rebound.

County Down scored again with six minutes remaining. Turkington’s 35 yard free-kick was well-struck and proved too hot for Corcoran to handle.

Turkington got his second of the match in the closing stages, firing low and hard into the bottom corner to complete a resounding County Down victory.

Team: Hazard, McAnespie, Brownlee, Byers, Power, Martyn, Dempster, Turkington, Ward, Johnston, Salley.

Subs: Walsh, Noble-Walker, Gray, Drylie, Tate, McGovern.

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