Our U13 development team had their second league outing of the season away to MEK in Fossa and fought hard for their 3 points.

Ballyhar started brightly and took the lead in the fifth minute when a short free kick by Reuben Griffin was rolled to Jack Duggan who fired the ball into the roof of the net. Ballyhar continued to push for a second with the attack being led by Rian Comerford and Charlie Curran and assisted by the all-action midfield of Brendan Flynn, Jack Duggan, Reuben O'Leary Griffin and Elliot Lyne. On the tenth minute a short kick out was picked up well by Rian who controlled first time and placed his shot into the keeper’s right-hand corner. 0-2 MEK started to find their passing rhythm and the back 4 of Aaron Looney, Eoin Cremin, Ciarán Ferris and Brian McMahon remained solid until a corner on the 20th minute from MEK went straight in. 1-2 Ballyhar increased their lead on the 25th minute when a corner from Brian McMahon fell to the feet of O'Leary Griffen who finished well to the bottom left corner of the net to make it 1-3. MEK reacted immediately with an attack from kick-off, when a long ball fell at the edge of the Ballyhar box and an MEK player smashed an unstoppable shot into the Ballyhar net. 2-3 Ballyhar felt the pressure for the 3 minutes remaining to half time and would have succumbed if not for 2 outstanding saves by keeper Adam Quirke. H/T 2-3

MEK mounted wave after wave of attack early in the second half but were unable to penetrate to Ballyhar defence who defended well from the front. With 10 minutes remaining Bryan Evans, who showed excellent control and speed throughout, was on the end of an exceptional team move. O'Leary Griffin picked the ball up in midfield, passed it to Aaron Looney who played a quick one-two with Eoin Cremin. Looney floated a ball over the top where Evans controlled well and was unlucky to hit the woodwork.

Both teams tired in the final minutes but Ballyhar finished with the win 2-3 FT. Man of the match goes to Rueben O'Leary Griffin who was everywhere on the pitch for Ballyhar. Thanks to MEK for a great game and best of luck for the remainder of the year.