Youth make a little friend on the prairie as they host US side

Last week, a mix from Lisburn Youth U14’s and 15’s played host a visiting American team, Eden Prairie U15’s at the Dub.

The USA side spent a week in Belfast with three friendlies lined up, also taking on Cliftonville and Rathmore School.

Lisburn took an early lead through U15 forward Nathan McShane following a mistake by the Eden Prairie keeper and Lisburn soon went two up through an OG following good pressing by McShane and Dominic McEnhill.

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Lisburn played some decent football, particularly down the left with Caoimhin McConnell, Lee Bailie and Ross Hull linking well.

On the right side Dominic McEnhill and McShane were a constant threat, cutting back in towards goal while Paul Hughes, Conall Smyth and Rhys Kelly held their own in midfield against the bigger American players.

Eden Prairie started getting some joy down the left and the goal of the evening came from this source. The left back Matt Rice and striker Zach Schoening worked the ball down the line and the cross was met with a brilliant header from Andy Berris.

The scores were level not long after when defender Matthew Hall and keeper Ryan Dowling were too casual clearing the ball and Sean Kurtenbach had an easy tap in.

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Youth made a raft of changes in the second half but if anything, played better. Caoelain Young and Lorcan McIlroy didn’t give the Eden Prairie defenders a minute’s peace, harrying them to get the ball back. Harry Wilson came on and played brilliantly at the back. Ben Curran was possibly the star of the show in midfield alongside Kyle Patton.

Lisburn’s pressure finally paid off when a push on McIlroy in the box was deemed to be a foul. McIlroy stepped up and sent keeper Garrett Johnson the wrong way.

Eden Prairie finished the game very strongly and threw everyone forward in the last few minutes. Lorcan McIlroy proved to be a match winner at both ends, scoring the winning goal and then going into nets for the last 10 minutes and making a brilliant save.

The game was played in a very friendly spirit and the Lisburn lads brought shirts to swap with the Eden Prairie boys. There’ll be a few Northern Ireland and Antrim GAA tops around Minnesota this summer.

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Youth coach Chris O Kane, who coached the Eden Prairie team over several summers, organised the friendly and was full of praise for both teams.

Youth wished Eden Prairie good luck for their forthcoming season and maybe Lisburn Youth will be able to play the return leg in Minnesota in the not too distant future.