Rossglass County FC

Rossglass County Under 13s produced their best performance of the season to overcome a battling Strangford side in what ended as a 4-0 victory for the blues. It was a result that belies the competitiveness of the match and it was Darragh Gordon who was the chief architect of the victory with a wonderful hat-trick. Gordon got County off to a flying start when, in the opening minutes, he broke forward down Strangford’s right wing to calmly slot the ball home.

Eamon Tierney made it two early in the second half when he scored a cracker, bursting through from midfield before planting an unstoppable shot into the top corner. Rossglass played with an experimental system of 5-3-2 and it paid off with a rare clean sheet, primarily founded upon a strong back three of Finn O’Neill, Mark Curran and Aidan Brannigan, who worked together to snuff out Strangford’s efforts at forging a shot at goal.

County’s wing backs were also superb with Robert Napier and Man of the Match, Declan O’Connor stemming numerous Strangford attacks down the flanks. Ryan Gordon was magnificent at the centre of midfield, but in truth, he was all over the park and he was instrumental in his brother’s second goal, floating over a beautiful cross from the right wing that looked goal bound before  Darragh finished it off with a fine header.

Luke Fitzpatrick also put in a commanding midfield performance and James Tumelty showed his usual flair on the ball while adding a tenacious dimension to his game. In goal, Shay Curran dealt with any danger in consummate fashion and KJ McCullough showed some great skill in an unaccustomed forward role. Daniel McMullan was also given responsibility up front and he chased everything down tirelessly in a commendable team performance.

Our 9 year old superstar Annie Montgomery has just been selected to take part in the Irish football Association’s Elite Girls’ development programme. Annie is a pupil at St. Brigid’s Primary school and plays for our Under 10 team in the small sided games in the Downpatrick Youth League.

Annie is a box to box midfielder, who has an eye for goal. She started her career with Celtic Bhoys at the age of six but moved to Rossglass where her dad BJ played his football. BJ has an eye for goal himself having scored two goals for the Rossglass over 35’s in a 3-1 win over Ballynagross.

“She really enjoys scoring goals and can play anywhere” said BJ, “Annie was enjoying her time at Celtic Bhoys but moved to Rossglass to get more game time and under coach Danny McGarrity hasn’t looked back. She is a great wee worker, willing to learn the tricks of the trade and takes everything in her stride,” he added.

“Ideally Annie would love to play in a girls’ only side, but she knows how to mix it with the best come Sunday morning. She is in a mixed team and can handle herself.”

What a talent! We are very lucky to have her!
Everyone at Rossglass wishes Annie the best of luck.