It was a real battle at Murt Scott Park on Saturday afternoon for our U14's who maintained their unbeaten record against a very strong Feinit side.

The lads lined out against a very big physical team that had a very different look to the team they faced previously. Ballyhar struggled early on as Feinit looked to use the wind and height advantage to their benefit. The backline of Looney, Cremin, Allen & O'Sullivan were fantastic all game, with the solid Quirke in goals. Luke Bartlett was the busiest man on the pitch tackling and breaking up play all sides, with Killian O'Sullivan, Adam Fleming, Jack Duggan, and Daniel Ryan all trying hard to break through the visitors defensive set-up. The turning points in the first half came within minutes of each other, as Feinit won a corner which was delivered high into their towering centre back, who nodded home the opener. Then, right from the kick-off Fleming threaded a great ball through to O'Sullivan who beat the defence down the right, only to be meet inside the box by the keeper, who completely bundled him over for a penalty. Fleming was given the responsibility to level it up, only for the keeper to pull off a full stretch save to his right to keep it out. H/T 0-1

A change in formation was needed for the 2nd half, and this really turned the game in Ballyhar's favour. With a few positional changes, the lads got more into the game, with Ruben O'Leary Griffin stretching things down the left, while Duggan & O'Sullivan connected down the right. Fenit still held strong and had 1 great chance to extend their lead only for the final ball to drift wide of the post. Ballyhar dug deep and pressed hard, causing mistakes in the visitors game. Then with 63 mins gone, Ballyhar caught a break that their efforts deserved, when confusion between keeper and defence led to Daniel Ryan getting a half shot away that wrong footed the keeper and rolled into the net. Ballyhar pushed hard for a winner as Feinit tired, but it finished honours even. F/T 1-1

There was such great character shown by all the lads, despite the difference in size. They showed great heart and determination to maintain their unbeaten record and a 3 point advantage at the top of the league.