U17 Match Report Saturday 24th November 2007 - Result: St Mary’s FC 9 Shorts 0
A Michael O'Reilly hat-trick inspired St Mary's to a comfortable win over Shorts in this South Belfast Under 17 Premier division encounter at the Henry Jones Playing Fields Castlereagh.
Shorts had no answer to the pace of Michael O'Reilly, Chris Barr and Kevin Meighan up front nor the power of Hugh Campbell and Chris Boy in midfield during a very one-sided match which was well over by half time. After only 5 minutes a strong run by Michael Fearon on the right left Ryan McAuley to fire home. Shortly after that a header by Michael O'Reilly made it 2 - 0. Michael again struck on 15 minutes before goalkeeper Conor Devlin then got in on the act embarrassing the Shorts defence by scoring a long distance free kick from inside his own half on 35 minutes.
O'Reilly could not be contained by Shorts and completed his hat-trick on 38 minutes. Shorts caved in before half time conceding within minutes first an own goal from a Ryan McAuley corner and then a Hugh Campbell finish after a scramble in the goalmouth.
Starting the second half with a 7 - 0 lead St Mary's for the second week in a row took the opportunity to give all substitutes playing time and it was Chris Walsh who took the opportunity to claim two goals in this period to complete the performance which keeps St Mary's top of the league.
Team:
Conor Devlin, Michael Fearon, Daniel Lunney ( sub Jim Boyle) , Conor Saunders ( sub Michael Kane ), Declan Hackett, Ryan McAuley ( sub Antoin Rooney ), Chris Boy (Captain ), Hugh Campbell ( sub James Cachart ), Chris Barr (sub Chris Walsh), Michael O'Reilly, Kevin Meighan.