ARMAGH   CITY   YOUTH  WEEKLY UPDATES

The final stages of the various 2011- 2012 Leagues and Cups has brought both

success and disappointment to the teams of Armagh City Youth. Indeed three of the City squads are still involved in the quest for further honours in a season which  has already achieved many footballing firsts.

Three wins in a week  have  taken the TMET sponsored  Armagh City Youth U-14 side to a League title and to the final of the League Cup. A convincing five-nil win away to Dromore on Saturday 5^th May meant that the squad had achieved the  marvellous double of  League and Cup.  On the following Wednesday night the same squad came from behind twice against Dungannon to win the League Cup semi-final three-two and with the Final ahead they have given themselves the opportunity to complete what would be a remarkable treble!! 

Not to be outdone City’s U-13 team  are also chasing a treble and took the next step to securing this with a  tremendous win in the National League Plate semi-final away to Lisburn Youth. The Armagh side established a two goal lead only for the home  team to pull a goal back, City scored again but Lisburn replied. The final stages of an exciting game saw both teams have goal chances but League winners Armagh emerged as three-two winners and now face Carniny in the Final on Saturday, 19^th  May. A semi-final against  Ridgway in the League Cup  keeps the path to that third trophy on course.

The Homecare sponsored U-18  team completed wins over Markethill and Hillsborough to take themselves to the top of the table with Crumlin.  The bonus is that  City have two games in hand on their rivals and have  two of their remaining four League games at home.  A record of one hundred  and  seventeen goals for and just seventeen against means that should goal difference apply then there will be an obvious winner. 

Whilst the afore mentioned City youth teams have been enjoying the results of all their hard work both the U-16 and U-15 squads faced the end of their campaigns through being on the wrong side of the  dreaded penalty kick decider!  The U-15 side had made the  long haul to Salthill on Sat 5^th to play the holders, Salthill Devon in the semi-final

of the Lion’s Cup.  In a tremendous game the home led but City equalized straight from a free kick.  Armagh then took the lead but  could not prevent the hosts from grabbing a goal to  tie the game.  In the resulting penalty shootout City lost five-three.

Ironically it was to be  the City U-16 side’s  misfortune to suffer  exactly  the same fate in midweek.  Armagh faced Magherafelt in a League Cup semi-final in Cookstown in a tie which pitched the League winners against the runner-ups, Armagh. The contest ended scoreless and so went to penalties and unfortunately City once again ended up on the wrong side of the scoreline  !  

                               Wednesday  2^nd  May

U-11 :   Armagh City   3   v    Craigavon  City  3

U-14 :   Armagh  City  4   v    Seagoe   2

NIWFA:   Armagh  City   Ladies  7   v    Dromore   0   

                         Saturday   5^th  May

U-11 :  Armagh  City  0  v    Coleraine  5

U-13:   Armagh City   3  v    Lisburn Youth  2

U-14 :  Armagh  City  5  v    Dromore  0

U-15 :  Armagh  City  2  v    Salthill  Devon  2   ( Salthill won  4-3 on penalties ) 

                               Wednesday  9^th May

U-14 : Armagh City  3  v   Dungannon  Youth  2 

U-16 : Armagh City  0  v   Magherafelt  0  (Magherafelt won  5-3  on penalties)

U-18 :  Armagh City  4   v  Markethill  3 

                                      Saturday  12^th May

U-12 :    Armagh City  3   v   Windmill Stars  5

U-18  :   Armagh  City  6   v    Hillsborough  Boys 1

 Only three City Youth teams have yet to complete their fixtures.  The U-13 squad        

face Carniny this Saturday in the NL Plate Final and then must wait for a League Cup semi-final against Ridgeway to be scheduled. The U-14 side have a League Cup Final against St,Mary’s to be rearranged.  Finally the U-18 team will  have to  find  dates for four League games with two at home and two away. 

                                   Saturday  19^th   May :

U-13 :   Armagh City   v   Carniny   Youth  (  TBC )

   ***   ALL  MATCHES  ARE  SUBJECT  TO  CHANGE   ***                                             

                                   ***   MINI-SOCCER   ***

Homecare sponsored Mini-Soccer will continue as usual on Thursday 17^th May, 6-7pm and  Saturday 19^th May,  9.15-10.15am. The Mini-soccer coaches wish to

acknowledge a generous donation from  Manor Security Systems  towards  the  continued development of the  young players footballing skills.