Both St Mary’s U11 and U17 teams made it through to the 3rd round draw of the NIBFA Cup
St Mary's U11 team lined out against Cliftonville in this South Belfast League derby game. The game was played at a sunny but windy Henry Jones pitch with St Mary's coming out winners with a 2 -1 score line.
St Mary's started the first half with a strong defensive shape which proofed to strong for any Cliftonville attacks. This strong defence allowed St Mary's to control the game in midfield and in turn cause lots of problems up front.
The first goal was scored by Captain Conor Morgan, who drilled home a free kick made by Patrick Mc Diarmid. Shortly after going 1 up, St Mary's piled on the pressure and Gregory McFaul, who had another outstanding game got pulled down in the box winning St Mary's a penalty. The Cliftonville Keeper saved the penalty and several other chances that St Mary's had to stretch their lead. The St Mary's keeper, Oran O'Conner was a virtual spectator in the first half.
As expected Cliftonville came out strong in the second half scoring early on with a strike from just outside the box which slipped under the St Mary's keeper's body. Cliftonville tried to keep the pressure on however St Mary's passing moving game paid dividends with a second goal. Conor Morgan flicked on a corner from Odhran Eastwood that was tipped in at the back post by Gregory McFaul. St Mary's kept the pressure on for the rest of the game with chances falling to Ruairi Donaghy, Patrick Robb and Gareth Morgan. Special mention should also go to Brett Long for a mature performance in midfield, Conor Mooney and Emmet Nulty for close control and finally Kevin Hillen, Seamus Girvan, Ruairi Morgan and Adam Turner for strong decisive defending.
St Mary's U11 team have made it through to the 3rd round of the NIBFA Cup after a decisive win against WindMill Stars in Newry. St Mary's won the game 7 -2. The game was played on a wet windy day in Newry which hosted some fine performances from the St Mary's panel of players.