U9s take on Annalong at Development Centre

This was a tough game for Rathfriland but the boys showed their class and determination and scored seven goals.

The first goal came early in the first period after a great run and long range shot from Steven McElroy down the left flank. Rathfriland continued to create goal scoring chances and Shane Haughey scored the second goal of the game after good work from Adam Trimble up front. Annalong pulled a goal back before the end of the first period.

In the second period Rathfriland continued to play some great passing football and they were rewarded when Eoghan Travers coolly rounded the Annalong keeper for his first goal of the game after a great run by Aaron Baxter.

Annalong fought back and put the Rathfriland defence under a lot of pressure but Christopher McConville (Man of the Match), Steven McElroy and Jack McGinn where unbeatable in the second period and they ensured that the Rathfriland goal was not breached.

Eoghan Travers went on to complete his hat-trick by adding another two goals before the end of the second period. This is young Eoghan’s second hat-trick of the season as he continues to impress in the U9s team this season.

As the second period came to an end Jack McGinn pulled off a couple of great saves to ensure Rathfriland remained on top.

The third period started with Annalong scoring a couple of early goals but Rathfriland steadied their nerves and started to take control of the game with Alex McKee putting in another great captain’s performance.

The Rathfriland team showed great discipline in keeping their shape throughout the game as Christopher McConville made yet another surging run out of defence and found Shane Haughey to score his second of the game. Jack McGinn came out of the Rathfriland’s goals late on in the third period and got his name on the score sheet to round of the scoring off.

This was a great performance from Rathfriland who seemed to have stepped up a gear in the last couple of weeks. This young team continues to develop and have learned to play a great style of passing football.

Team: Jack McGinn, Steven McElroy, Christopher McConville, Aaron Baxter, Shane Haughey, Alex McKee, Adam Trimble and Eoghan Travers. Man of the Match: Christopher McConville