Carniny U16s Lift Boxing Day Silverware After Dramatic Final

Carniny U16s were delighted to come away with the silverware on Boxing Day after a tense and hard‑fought final against Rosario at the Blanchflower Stadium, Belfast.

Rosario struck first, taking the lead nine mins into the half with a well‑placed header from a corner. The remainder of the half was evenly balanced, with both sides battling for control but neither creating clear openings. The Belfast side held their 1–0 advantage at the break.

Five minutes into the second half, Carniny captain Connaire Scullion brought his side level, firing home from a Carniny corner. The equaliser sparked the game into life, with both teams producing end‑to‑end football as they pushed for a winner.
With minutes left on the clock, Rosario broke at pace and looked certain to score, but Riley O’Hagan produced a superb last‑ditch interception, chasing down the forward just as he prepared to shoot. It proved a match‑saving moment, and with no further goals the final headed to penalties.

Carniny stepped up first and showed real composure, converting all five of their regulation spot kicks. Rosario matched them with five of their own, taking the shootout into sudden death. Carniny calmly slotted home their sixth penalty, piling the pressure onto Rosario. Their final taker struck his effort cleanly, but it cannoned off the crossbar—sending the Carniny boys into raptures and securing a memorable Boxing Day triumph.