Cavan Monaghan Youth League (holders)
Arklow Town
Armagh City
Ballinamallard United
Ballymoney United
Ballyraine Kilmacrennan
Bertie Peacock Youth League
Coleraine FC
Derry & District Youth League
Donegal Schoolboys Academy
Donegal Colts
Dungiven Celtic
Finn Harps
Glentoran FC
Hearts FC
Inishowen Youth League
Limavady United
Maiden City Academy
NECSL
Newhill FC


Info on matchesUnder 12 tournament - 20 teams will compete in 5 groups of 4 teams, playing each other once Tuesday - Thursday. The 5 group winners and 3 best runnersup will play in Quarter Finals on Friday morning and the Semi Finals then follow Friday evening. All other teams will play in Plate, Rosebowl or Shield semi finals on Friday, depending on final position. All teams in Plate, Rosebowl or Shield play 5 games Tuesday - Saturday and the teams in Cup play 6 games over the same time period.
 
Niall Owens 13
Jake Irvine 8
Jake Browne 7
Ryan Keaney 6
Michael Gallagher 6
Alex Holder 5
Callum Jones 4
Curtis Coalter 3
Joshua Toal 2
Daire Bradley 1
Darragh McGrath 1
Brandon Horan 1
Pearse McNabb 1
 
Ballinamallard Youth Under 12s sealed their place in the quarter-finals of the NIBFA Cup with a stunning 2-0 win at the home of Culmore Youth.

Conditions were far from ideal on the banks of the Foyle and the tie started with a heavy hail stone shower.

The home side were keen to stamp their authority on the tie and dominated the early stages.

The Mallards back four of Kennedy, Toal, Smyth and Jones were solid and defended resolutely.

Solid defensive work allowed the midfield trio of Holder, Irvine and Browne to start dictating the play.

The Mallards soon grabbed the lead half way through the first period. Callum Jones played a superb ball down the line to Niall Owens. Owens weaved in and out crossed for Michael Gallagher, who scrambled the ball home.

Culmore responded by launching a series of attacks but the Mallards rearguard remained strong and keeper Brownlee was not troubled.

The Mallards went into the break one goal ahead and manager Sam Gamble told his charges that the next goal was crucial.

Culmore came out with all guns blazing at the start of the second half but the Mallards defence remained strong. Centre half pairing Joshua Toal and skipper Oisin Smyth were in inspirational form and they repelled everything the Derry side threw at them.

The introduction of Ryan Keaney up front provided the away side with some fresh legs and he led the line superbly.

Right winger Darragh McGrath was back to his rampaging best as he tormented the Culmore defence.

The home side should have equalised with ten minutes remaining.  A free kick just twenty yards from goal was awarded. The original effort was cleared by Irvine and a melee in the box  followed, as Culmore desperately tried to get themselves into the game.

The Mallards soon broke up the other end of the pitch as McGrath scampered down the right and put in a stunning cross for Irvine. The talented midfielder somehow scooped the ball over the bar with the goal gaping.

However, it was only a matter of time before the away side sealed their place in the quarter-finals.

Sub Curtis Coalter made a strong run down the right and played it inside to Keaney. Keaney slid the ball to Owens who slammed home to make it 2-0.

Subs Seanie Mahon and Ross Slevin made sure of the victory with some gritty tackling.

This had the potential to be a tricky tie for the Mallards. Culmore won the Derry and District League last year and had made easy work of their two previous cup opponents.

The Under 12s are now the only side in the club left in their respective nationwide competitions. The quarter finals will take place on Saturday 17th March.

 

Niall Owens 12
Jake Irvine 8
Jake Browne 7
Ryan Keaney 6
Michael Gallagher 5
Alex Holder 5
Callum Jones 4
Curtis Coalter 3
Joshua Toal 2
Daire Bradley 1
Darragh McGrath 1
Brandon Horan 1
Pearse McNabb 1
 
Ballinamallard Under 12s made the long trek to Ballymena to face Carniny Youth in the group stages of the League Cup.

The Mallards were without several of their panel but this gave others the chance to shine and impress ahead of next weekends NIBFA Cup tie with Culmore.

The game was played on an immaculate playing field at Ballykeel FC and the surface suited the away side.

It was the away side that started the strongest, as the midfield trio of Holder, Slevin and Irvine controlled the centre of the park, allowing McGrath and Owens to wreak havoc down the flanks.

The Mallards should have opened the scores after a scintillating counter attack. Brownlee confidently claimed the ball and kicked out to Owens on the edge of the box.

Owens and Holder combined in the middle of the field and Owens skipped through towards goal.

Unfortunately, the left winger put his ferocious effort just over the bar.

It was only a matter of time until the Mallards opened the scores. Kennedy cleverly threw the ball inside to Slevin.

Slevin played a superb pass through to Owens who rocketed the ball into the top corner.

Despite going ahead the away side became lazy and complacent. Carninny began to find some rhythm and got back into the tie. Only for the interventions of Smyth, Crawford, McNabb and Kennedy in defence prevented the home side from equalizing.

Just before the half time interval, the home side were provided a life-line. A long throw into the box was comfortably dealt with by right back McNabb. Much to the amazement of both sides, the referee awarded a penalty to the home side.

The Carniny skipper stepped up to slot home but Brownlee got down well to make a tremendous save.

The Mallards regrouped at the half time break and took on board the wise words of their coaches.

In the early stages of the second half, Niall Owens was wreaking havoc with his determined runs and Browne was having one of his best games of the season in the centre forward role.

Ross Slevin had a great chance to double the lead when he saw his header go narrowly wide after a superb corner from Owens.

It took until the 58th minute for the Blues to grab a crucial second goal. Niall Owens ran at the Carniny rear-guard and played the ball to Curtis Coalter. Coalter played a great one two with Ryan Keaney and cut inside and rifled a superb effort into the bottom corner.

It was a much improved performance from the Mallards who showed great grit and determination to come away with three points.

Man of the match was Ross Slevin. The Dromore youngster was calm in possession and he has added an extra dimension to the side.

 
Training at Bawnacre 3G at 6.30 to 8pm. Big improvement needed from Saturday. time
 
Ryan Keaney 6 Niall Owens 11 Jake Browne 7 Jake Irvine 8 Darragh 1 Curtis 2 Callum 4 Oisin Houston Jack Alex 5 Ben Daire 1 Mark Pearse 1 Ross Josh B Nathan Michael 5 Brandon 1 Seanie Josh Toal 2