Our U15s reached the next phase of the Shield competition after a good performance away to Athletic B on Saturday. It was a tale of 2 halves, with the first 35 mins very scrappy, the lads really failing to capitalise on their possession and opportunities. They also had to deal with the setback of Athletic taking the lead on 10 mins, getting caught out by a breakaway goal. But they kept composed with Ross Lally, Davin Quilter, Daniel Gleeson, and Cillian Slattery all combining well, without troubling the keeper. While Conor Regan was brilliantly keeping Athletic's danger man quiet at the other end. Things finally clicked on 18 mins, when Lally went on a great run down the left, cut inside 2 defenders, and found Slattery at the back post, who slotted it home to make it 1-1. Slattery turned the provider for the 2nd goal when his cross from the right was swept home by Daniel Gleeson to give Ballyhar a 2-1 lead at the break.

The lads then stepped it up nicely in the 2nd half and took control of the game, pinning Athletic back time and again. Slattery was causing havoc down the right, first setting up Gleeson for his second of the game, before his cross-come-shot was turned into the net by an Athletic defender to make it 4-1. Davin Quilter did everything but score, setting up numerous chances and using the ball very well to help his teammates. Tom Costelloe scored an absolute cracker from outside the box, with a shot that went in off the underside of the crossbar. Slattery finally got his 2nd goal from a very tight angle, that lobbed over the keeper and nestled in the back of the net to make it 6-1. 

The lads played some lovely stuff today, and every player did well. Thanks to Athletic for hosting a sporting game and they battled hard all game, we now look forward to the next round of the U15 Shield.

Best for Ballyhar were Cillian Slattery, Daniel Gleeson, Davin Quilter and Conor Regan.