The seniors of Carryduff Colts will be looking to follow the example set by their U12 team at the weekend as they go in search of the Newcastle & District Division 2 title at Lough Moss on Saturday.

The South Belfast club have already secured promotion for the second year in succession but after such a fantastic season they are determined to finish top of the pile.

For a long time it seemed as though Chris Morgan’s team were set to go through the entire campaign with a 100 per cent record but a 2-1 defeat two weeks ago, against Drumaness Mills II, ended any hopes of a perfect season.

“We won promotion on Saturday there but now we are looking to go on and win the league,” said Morgan.

“That’s two promotions for us, back-to-back, so it’s a good job. Two more wins will guarantee us the title now.

“We should have won last week against Drumaness Mills II, but I think they beefed up their team a bit because they knew we were coming.

“It was disappointing because we hit the crossbar and post a few times but at the end of the day I think we should have beaten them.

“That’s just the way it goes but as long as we win the league and get another promotion that’s the main thing.”

Strength

The Colts showed their mental strength by bouncing back from that disappointment to record a 2-1 win over Kirkistown on Saturday.

Morgan singled out Joe Sweeney and Rory McDonald for praise as the pair have been in top form recently despite also lining out for the U18 team on the same day.

However, on Saturday it was the returning Conor Early who was instrumental in their come from behind win with the Down GAA dual star available for the game.

Early put in a storming second half display after being introduced as a substitute and the Carryduff boss is hopeful his side can carry on their good form against a Rathfriland Rangers III side that sit second from bottom in the table although they may be bolstered by players from their stronger teams.

“It depends what team gets sent up. We are down to play their thirds but they could send their seconds up so then it would be a hard enough one,” admitted the Colts boss.

“This is our last home game of the season so if we win this and results go our way then we could well clinch the title but if not then we should do it the week after.”

U12

One Carryduff team that have already clinched a league title are the U12s who became the first Carryduff Colts side to ever win a league title since they were founded in 2003.

This has created a real buzz throughout the club and did not go unnoticed by the first team manager.

He added: “The talent is fairly coming through and that’s the first time any Carryduff team has won, so hopefully we will have two league winners this year and we will be flying.”

Proud

A proud club chairman Eamon Deeny paid tribute to all of the players and coaches at the club for making history and said he is hoping the senior team can make it double delight by winning the Division 2 title.

“Since forming with just 14 U10 players in 2003, this club has made spectacular progress and now have nearly 400 members and over 45 trained coaches,” he said.

“The club’s main purpose is to provide youngsters with the opportunity to play football and develop their skills in a safe environment with qualified coaches and to represent their community. But the weekend’s success of the U12s has put the icing on the cake.

“We have won trophies on a few occasions at a number of short term tournaments and have come close a few times in the South Belfast League.

“Last year we had two teams playing in the South Belfast League cup finals. So to claim our first ever league title at the weekend, and for the seniors to continue to trail blaze in their league, means we are continuing to make great progress.

Fantastic

“Manager Gary Wilson is a Colts man through and through and a fantastic coach – he deserves this success, but it is the players who deserve the credit for the progress and  their commitment to the club.

“As one of the people who was in at the start of the club, I am very proud of them.

“I am hoping that the seniors can win their next two games to claim the league title. The management team of Chris Morgan and Ed Overend, and their players, have been a credit to the club.”