U16 South Down Championship Final
An Riocht 4:10 Rostrevor 1:07

An Riocht retained the McCartan Shield on Saturday with a comprehensive win over Rostrevor at Burren. A swirling wind made conditions difficult for the players.

An Riocht settled the quicker and goaled in the fifth minute when Conor Sloan finished a length of the field move to the net from close range. Our defence was magnificent and restricted reds to few and far between chances. Collie Clerkin converted a free to get them on the scoreboard but An Riocht went on to add four points of their own.

Martin Clarke swung over a free; Noel Mcardle weaved his way inside for one from play; James Cunningham advanced from defence for another; and Clarke claimed his second with a mighty strike from way out on the left.

Rostrevor had their share of possession but the An Riocht blocking and harrying continually frustrated their efforts and they only registered their second score, another Clerkin free, in the twenty eighth minute.

If their was a failing in the An Riocht play it was that they were at times slow to move the ball on and played themselves into trouble on occasions. From a lapse in concentration reds seized their chance and Conor Mackin came in on the end of a sharp move to goal from eight yards. A point from the kick out left it 1:4 to 1:3 at the break.

Though a Clerkin free leveled the match on the restart An Riocht were quickly back into their stride.

Pearse Cunningham opened the Rostrevor defence with a forceful run before offloading to his brother Darren and he goaled with his first touch since coming on as a half time sub. Noel McArdle added a point and Pearse kicked and fisted two more as An Riocht went 2:7 to 1:4 clear.

Clerkin pointed from play midway through the half but An Riocht replied with three in a row through Darren (2) and James Colgan.

Mackin responded to leave seven in it with five minutes to play but it was An Riocht who finished strongest with centre back James Cunningham and full forward Pearse grabbing goals apiece before in added time Mackin claiming his third point.

In a marvelous team display the performances of full back Conor Walsh, half back Sean Clarke, midfielder Paul Sherry, and forwards Noel McArdle, Pearse and Darren Cunningham all stood out.