In what had been dubbed in some quarters as “Super Sunday”, all 3 of the UsedCarsNI sponsored Bredagh U12 football teams entered the final round of the East Down U12 league on 29th July, in contention for honours.
On Sunday morning in Section A, Bredagh travelled to Liatroim. It was a game in which both teams had their periods of dominance. Liatroim started well and opened up a 2 point lead before Bredagh responded with scores of their own. Bredagh led on a score of 2-8 to 1-5 at halftime. The third quarter saw Bredagh add to their lead before Liatroim staged an epic comeback. In the face of serious pressure and although conceding a few goals the Bredagh defence battled bravely before a couple of late scores insured the victory for the Bredagh men on a scoreline of Liatroim 7-6, Bredagh 4-19. Despite passionate support for the home team, the Bredagh lads showed great maturity and composure not to be distracted from their task in hand. Their victory allowed them to deservedly finish joint top of the league with an excellent Bryansford side. Both teams having lost only a single game out of 14.
Meanwhile in Cherryvale Bredagh hosted Saul in what was a “winner takes all” encounter. Saul began the morning top of the league and one point ahead of Bredagh on the table after a victory in the reverse fixture earlier in the season and a draw against a strong Bryansford side. Again each side had their periods of dominance. In the first half some great work around the midfield area gave a young Bredagh side a solid platform that allowed them to attack the visitors. A couple of early goals gave the home side confidence before the visitors staged a comeback. The second half saw Bredagh defend resolutely and counterattack on the break. In what was a fantastic team performance against a strong and skilful Saul side, Bredagh ended up victorious on a scoreline of Bredagh 6-7, Saul 3-3. Over two games there was really very little between these two groups of fine young footballers and truthfully a fairer ending might have been if both had finished in joint top position. However the table finished with Bredagh ahead by a single point and hence crowned East Down U12 Section B champions!
Not to be outdone, simultaneously in Section C, Bredagh travelled to St Johns. This team has shown steady improvement both in terms of skills and confidence throughout the season. They went into the final round of the league in joint top position alongside a strong Dromara side. The home side were always going to be a tough proposition on their home turf. Bredagh management had their team well-organised, prepared for every eventuality and they attacked from the off. The defence hassled, tackled and blocked ferociously, allowing the midfield to provide a lively attack with plenty of possession. Bredagh opened up a lead and despite great commitment from a gallant St Johns side, Bredagh ran out winners on a scoreline of St Johns 1-3, Bredagh 6-14. Hence they deservedly finished in top position alongside Dromara.
While the U12 East Down league has finished for another year training continues on Tuesday evenings with some U12 Tournaments along with East Down U11 and U13 leagues on the horizon.
Results like this don’t happen overnight and these young men have been working hard not only this season but over the past few years. They are a credit to our great club, to their families but most importantly to themselves. Their conduct at training and matches has been outstanding and if they continue to work hard with an appetite to learn and improve, their future on and off the football field will be very bright.
To run three teams successfully over the course of a season requires great commitment from a large band of enthusiastic coaches, not to mention their patient and understanding spouses!
They have been supported by a large group of parents who have been hugely committed this year and at times have made great sacrifices for their sons to attend matches in all corners of East Down.
Finally, thanks to the Bredagh club committee for their support, and UsedCarsNI for their generous sponsorship of our U12 Football teams.
