Our U16's hosted Ferry Rangers in the U16 Cup on Sunday and unfortunately, a bad start meant a tough day against a very good side.

Although playing a division below, our unbeaten visitors showed their true level when they went 2 goals up inside 8 minutes. After a bit of reshuffling at the back, Ballyhar set about trying to get into the game, but the visitors were full of energy and intent, flying into every tackle and putting pressure on our lads at every opportunity. Despite great efforts from Ross Lally, Anthony Cremin and Marcus Clifford, Ferry scored a 3rd goal on the half-hour mark from a corner and then went further ahead on 35mins from a free kick. H/T 0-4

Ballyhar needed to respond, and following a strong team talk at halftime, came out looking more like themselves. Eoin O'Sullivan added some great running down the right as Cremin moved infield to help Lally drive the lads forward. Lee Cirillo came more into the game, as did Jim O'Dowd and Davin Quilter. Ballyhar pulled 1 back on 57 mins when Quilter rose highest from a corner, similar to a chance in the first half, and buried his header to the net. That gave the lads a lift and 10 mins later Lee Cirillo chased and harried his way into a position to poke home a 2nd goal for Ballyhar. 2-4 The lads were now on top, but Ferry Rangers star player, who had moved from up front to sweeper after scoring 3 goals in the first half, covered a massive amount of ground. And with 10 mins left, made a mazy run into the box and was tripped up for a penalty. He stepped up and put it into the bottom corner to end Ballyhar's comeback hopes. 2-5 Ballyhar would have 1 final say in the game when right on full time, Cremin was taken down in the box and duly converted his own penalty to make the final score 3-5.

The lads will rue the bad start to the game as Ferry Rangers didn't need any invitation to put up a 4-goal lead, but great credit to the lads who got stuck in and showed their character in that 2nd half. Best for Ballyhar were Anthony Cremin, Davin Quilter, Marcus Clifford and MOTM Ross Lally - who was at the heart of everything on the day and emptied the tank trying to break up play and drive our lads forward.