Glentoran's magnificent 2004 age group were up to their old tricks again on Saturday as they secured yet another league championship with a 4-0 win over rivals Linfield.
The 2004s have had a more challenging season than in recent years with the whole squad having played many games at Under 16 and most of them having represented the U18s. Seven of them have even played in the U20s this season. This meant that they had to run with low numbers and rarely named the same team twice in a row - often playing games missing several regular players.
But the challenge the club set these players at the start of the season was to test themselves at higher age groups for the good of their development.They were pushed on and players who were traditionally leaders in the group pushed on and faced challenges at older ages - Charlie Lindsay for example who played for the U20s on Boxing Day against Linfield and Matty Carson who played and was man of the match for the U20s In a recent friendly against the H&W Welders first team.
That has also given the opportunity to other players to step up, make big decisions and take on leadership responsibility in difficult games so it has proven to be a really superb season in terms of individual growth as well as collective success. Next season will be more of the same when it is certain that more of these lads will become regulars in the U18s and U20s.
For the first time ever this season the 2004s lost a competitive league game when they were knocked out of the NIBFA Cup by Glenavon when forced to play the tie with only 8 fit regular players and three lads called up from the u14s. However, they have continued to play outstanding football and have shown great maturity and fighting spirit to come through with another league title win.
Well done to all the players, their parents and their coaches.
For the record, scorers today were Charlie Lindsay, Aaron Wightman and Callum Marshall (2) with Jamie McDonnell wearing the Captain's armband and picking up the trophy from first team manager Mick McDermott
Squad:
Dylan Graham
Ryan McGrath
Aaron Wightman
Jonny Russell
Matthew Carson
Joe Hopes
Scott Rolleston
Harry Wilson
Shea Kearney
Cian Dynes
Jake Wallace
Dylan Sloan
Charlie Lindsay
Conor Falls
Elliott Wood
Callum Marshall
Brandon Hamilton
Daniel Kirk
Jamie McDonnell
The 2004 squad celebrate with their coaches, proud parents, Mick McDermott and Paul Millar at Crumlin on Saturday