Blues marksman Jay passes 50-goal mark for campaign

Jay McKeown had treble cause for celebration at the weekend at the end of a memorable season for the Northend United striker.
Northend United Youth U-9 pumas who took part in the Saturday morning tournament at the Ballymena Showgrounds. INBT11-270ACNorthend United Youth U-9 pumas who took part in the Saturday morning tournament at the Ballymena Showgrounds. INBT11-270AC
Northend United Youth U-9 pumas who took part in the Saturday morning tournament at the Ballymena Showgrounds. INBT11-270AC

Not only did his U10 team beat a good Maiden City side by a 4-3 scoreline but he weighed in with a hat-trick of goals in this match, and he took his season total to over 50 goals in 22 competitive games.

It was a good weekend all round for Northend’s younger teams with the U11s United side beating Coleraine Olympic with a similar scoreline but the U11 Youth team lost narrowly to Ballycastle United.

The U9s United team travelled to Carrickfergus on Saturday to play in the Barn United Sevens Tournament, where they turned in a very creditable performance.

Group results: Greenisland Boys 0, Northend 0; St Pats 0, Northend 3 (PP Donegan 2, Conan McKeown); Antrim Rovers 1, Northend 5 (Paidin Mitchell 3, Callum Burnside, PP Donegan).

Semi Final - Celtic Boys 1 Northend 1 (Burnside). Northend lost on penalties

Northend: P Martin, J Mark, L Devlin, PP Donegan, S McDermott, P McAuley, C Burnside, P Mitchell, D Patterson and C McKeown.

Coaches: A McGarry, G Patterson

Showing the strength in depth Northend U9s have, two 2006 teams also represented the Club on Saturday morning in the final IFA sponsored small sided games tournament at the Showgrounds, which now takes a break over the summer months.

UNDER-10

Northend United 4, Maiden City 3: In a game which ebbed and flowed, Northend claimed another victory thanks to a stunning hat-trick from Jay McKeown and a further goal from Shea O’Broin.

Northend: PJ McDonnell, Z Erwin, R Campbell, S Bristow, B O’Neill, J McKeown, L Turner, S O’Broin.

UNDER-11

Northend United 2, Ballycastle United 4: Northend produced a battling performance after having been 2-0 down at the interval.

Ciaran Martin chipped the goalkeeper for Northend, whose other goal came from an own goal.

Northend: D Killough; C O’Brien; N Devine; B Harkin; J Connor; S Crawford; C Martin; K Dziadkowiec; C Mellon

FOOTBALL DEVELOPMENT CENTRE

The latest session of the Football Development Centre continues on Friday 15th May at the Showgrounds Pitch 7. The FDC is open to all boys and girls aged 4 to 8 inclusive who are unconnected with any other Club and takes from 6.00pm to 7.00pm.

For more information, or to reserve your child a place on the course, please call John Devlin on 07919056834. Application forms can also be printed off the Northend website www.northendunitedyouthfc.co.uk

AWARDS NIGHTS

With the season drawing to a close, an important date for your diary is the end-of-season Northend United Youth FC Awards Nights. The Junior Awards Night for the U8s, U9s, U10s and U11s will be held on Wednesday 27th May at the Michelin Club.

The Senior Awards Night for the U12s, U13s, U14s, U15s and U16s will also be held at the Michelin Club on Thursday 28th May.

These nights are a highlight in the Northend social calendar and last year, well over 500 parents and friends attended the events.