Good performances from Lough Derg teams

Last Saturday saw a number of Lough Derg teams in action in various NTSFL Schoolchildren’s leagues. In the U-11 Future Stars Programme the Lough Derg Vikings travelled away to Ballymackey, losing a very exciting encounter 3-2. The game began well for the Vikings, who created a  lot of  chances. Eventually the pressure paid off with an excellent shot from Tadhg O’Shaughnessy beating the hard-working Ballymackey keeper.
The early goal fired up the home team, who came back with a well-taken goal, giving the Vikings keeper Brian Cahill no chance.
The first half finished even and after the turnaround Ballymackey came out with renewed enthusiasm. They were rewarded with an early lead goal. Lough Derg’s Vikings responded well and eventually, after a number of near misses, a high lob by Mark Lyons from outside the box brought about the deserved equaliser.
With the time nearly up the hardworking Lough Derg Vikings pushed forward looking for the winner but were caught on the break with a well worked goal by Ballymackey.
Team captain, Dean Lawlor was very strong in the middle of the defence while Matthew Power, Cian Cummins and David Grace worked hard throughout for the team. .
Lough Derg Vikings: Cian McLoughlan, Mark Lyons, Tadhg O’Shaughnessy, Dean Lawlor, Cian Cummins, Darragh Moloney, Shane Walsh, David Grace, Matthew Power, Brian Cahill.
In a second U-11 game, Lough Derg Lakersrecorded a 5-0 away victory against Silvermines FC. A terrific start saw Alexander Wood score from the Lakers’ first attack. Both Adam Stuart and Sam Loughran capped fine performances with goals in the first half.
Strong defending by Josh Egan and Eoghan Quinn ensured Silvermines’ goal chances were limited. Nevertheless, it needed a tremendous save by goalkeeper Ivor Larkin from a well-struck Silvermines free to maintain the Lakers clean sheet. In the second half, the Lakers continued to dominate and closed out the game with further goals from Dara King and Conor Johnson.
Lough Derg Lakers: Ivor Larkin, Josh Egan, Eoghan Quinn, Sam Loughran, Alexander Wood, Dara King, Adam Stuart, Gearoid Rogers, Josh Johnson, Conor Johnson, and Ruadhan Quinn.
In the only club home game at Clarisford, the U-18 youths hosted nearby Arra Rovers. in a North Tipperary & District League (NT&DL) Division 3 fixture.
Lough Derg went in at half-time one goal in front after Shane Moloney found the net with a neat finish from inside the box five minutes before the interval.
Straight after half-time Arra equalised LDFC were unlucky in the closing stages when a Jamie Stuart shot hit the Arra cross bar
In the last few minutes, the hometown net minder, John Morgan, had to make two good saves to keep the score level.
Lough Derg U-18: John Morgan, Seamus Monaghan, Emmet Hanley, Conor Lonergan, Barra 0’Duabhaill, Jamie Stuart, Tomas Conway, Ciaran Downing, Nathan Wood, Marco Federico and Shane Moloney.
Subs used: Conor Lynch, Lowell Ryan and Ross Buckley, not used Daniel McDaid.
Other results saw the LDFC U-15s lose 3-1 away to Holycross. Colin Harte netting the Lough Derg goal. After playing well throughout, a tiring Lough Derg team conceded two goals in the last 10 minutes to a well-organised Holycross team.
Jack Lynch (U-14) George Kealy (U-13) and Cameron McAuley (U-12) have been selected for the NTSFL/FAI Emerging Talent Programme for the 2012/13 season after attending three recent trials.