Sky Blues news

MAGHERAFELT Sky Blues annual El Clasico ‘Old Boys’ 2012 Fundraiser will take place on Saturday 19th May @ Spires Park.

All players who have the necessary fitness, quality first touch (a tackle), and creative pass (punt down the field) are very welcome. We hope to have four teams to make it an enjoyable day. Food and entertainment will follow in Bryson’s which will sit us up nicely to watch Bayern Munich defeat Chelsea....oh sorry I mean play Chelsea. If you are interested in playing please contact Sean Monaghan on 07590 078075 or Brian ‘Boot’ Taylor 07803 099535. Please note St. John’s Ambulance will be on stand-by

The end of season awards presentation has been confirmed for both senior and youth players. Both presentations will take place at Bryson’s.

The youth presentation will take place on Friday 25th May @ 6.30pm. All players and guardians from the U10, U11, U12, U13, U14, and U16 teams are welcome to attend. The dinner (goujons, chips and a drink) costs £5 per person.

All players should contact their manager to confirm attendance. All numbers must be confirmed by 18th May (at the very latest). The senior presentation will take place on Saturday 26th May @ 8pm. All players, and committee members including wives/girlfriends are welcome to attend. The set dinner (3 course) costs £15 per person. All players should contact their manager to confirm attendance. All numbers must be confirmed by 18th May (at the very latest).

The Sky Blues U16s travelled to Craigavon to take on a strong Lisdrum FC team on Saturday in the final of the Mid Ulster Youth League Cup and came home with their 3rd trophy of an amazing season in which they won the league campaign, league knockout cup and the league cup.

The game got of to a bright start with the Blues almost breaking the deadlock when Aidan Doyle played Kieran Lynch through but the keeper made a fine save. A few minutes later Lynch fired over the bar from 20 yards. The Blues defence of Fitzpatrick, McAllister, McErlaine and McKay were well organized from the start and with Shay Murphy in goals the Blues thwarted any attempts Lisdrum made.

Jake Taylor and Johnny Connolly in the centre of midfield won a lot of possession in the middle and set up Lynch and Peter Stuart on the wings but the Blues were just trying that extra touch. Then against the run of play Lisdrum took the lead when the striker hit a fierce shot into the bottom corner leaving Murphy stranded.

The half ended 1- 0 to Lisdrum. The second half started better for the Blues and almost immediately they equalised with a fine move that saw Johnny Connolly make it to the end line after a super ball from Daniel Wright, Connolly slotted the ball into the box and Taylor drilled home the equaliser. Aidan Doyle had another fine effort that just scorched over the bar from outside the box as the Blues pushed for the lead.

A rather unsavory moment led to Lisdrum’s second goal as McErlaine kicked the ball out for his team mate to receive medical attention. When play resumed the Blues players were waiting for the ball to be given back but the Lisdrum player misread the etiquette of the game and fired the ball past the Sky Blues keeper.

This incident seemed to get the Sky Blues motivated for the last 10 minutes and started playing with a lot more purpose. The equaliser came when Luke McAllister picked up the ball on the halfway line and ran at the Lisdrum defence, after beating 2 men he drove the ball hard and low from 25 yards and the keeper had no chance.

The game went into extra time and after Wednesday night’s exertions of extra time and penalties in the semifinal against Armagh the young Blues emptied the tanks and showed tremendous courage but couldn’t find a winner. The game went to penalties.

Aidan Doyle, Johnny Connolly and Desmond McColgan scored their penalties and Shay Murphy made 2 great saves for the Blues to lift the cup.

What a season it has been for these young lads and what a future the club has with these lads and the underage squads coming through.

The management team of Mickey McGroggan, Jim Og Lynn and Lofty would like to thank the parents of all the players for their continuing support to the team and the club.

The Magherafelt Sky Blues IFA Approved Mini Soccer Centre, sponsored by Ronan Valley, is up and running.

The Mini Soccer Centre, which takes place at Spires Park, is suitable for players in Primary School and takes place every Saturday at 10-11am. The centre is now in its sixth season and attracts over 100 players each week. Registration forms are available at Sportique and in Meadowbank Sports Arena. Alternatively these can be downloaded from the club’s website at www.skybluesfc.net and going to the club info and documents page.

Registration forms must be completed and brought with the players on their first day. It costs £2 each week. We have a one off membership fee of £5 which can be paid at any time over the first 4 weeks. All players that pay the membership fee get a free Magherafelt Sky Blues gift.

Training News

All players are requested to check the Blues website for the latest training details.

To keep up to date with all team information please visit www.skybluesfc.net

Results

Under 16 – League Cup Semi Final ––Magherafelt Sky Blues 5, Armagh City 4 after penalties

Under 16 – League Cup Final ––Magherafelt Sky Blues 5, Lisdrum Youth 3 after penalties

The Magherafelt Sky Blues Ground Development Lotto will continue next weekend.

No one matched the correct numbers last week. The £25 lucky dip winner for last week was G. Quinn.

Tickets are on sale for next Saturday’s draw from all committee members. The jackpot is now £375

Related topics: