Carniny coaches, Stephen Armstrong and Aaron Millar had the chance to experience some of the highest level professional coaching last week when they were hosted by Liverpool FC Youth Academy.

The pair enjoyed a two day visit to the Premiership Youth Academy where they were able to observe the various coaching methods used throughout all the Academy sides from under nines right up to youth level and even a chance to watch the reserves in training.

On day one the pair were able to observe Under 13, Under 16, Youth and Reserve team training and also take in an Academy match at Under 15 level versus Luton Town.

On the second day they once again saw the Under 16 and Youth teams in training and were also able to see the Under 12 and 13 teams compete in Academy fixtures against Fulham.

The pair were very impressed by the Academy's amazing facilities which included indoor and outdoor 3G pitches, several eight a side and full size pitches and excellent gym, changing and educational facilities.

The hospitality extended to the Carniny coaches was second to none where they had the chance to rub shoulders with Kenny Dalglish, who has a senior role at the Academy and former player, Dietmar Hamann who was there during their visit.

Before their departure the Carniny Coaches thanked Academy Director Frank McParland for the opportunity and made a presentation to the club with a specially struck piece of Glassware featuring Carniny Youth FC and Liverpool FC club badges.

This trip was made possible by Bob Mullan who was been very proactive in establishing links for the local youth set up since joining the club earlier this year. Next up for the club will be a visit to Leicester City for two more coaches with player visits also in the pipeline.

Meanwhile, in Saturday's matches, a headed goal in the final five minutes by Nial McGarry was enough to earn his under 17 side all three points and move to the top of the league even after being reduced to ten players.

UNDER-10

Carniny 8, Glentoran 4: It didn't take long for the goals to come as Glentoran took the lead on four minutes but Carniny drew level four minutes later, when Stewart netted from close range.

Dawkins gave Carniny the lead on 14 mins but Glentoran drew level when Carniny failed to clear the ball at the back.

McHenry then provided a super long throw which Dawkins again converted to restore Carniny's lead. Then just before the half time whistle Stewart got his second from just inside the box.

The second half started with Dawkins adding a fifth from another McHenry long throw but Glentoran would not give in and pulled a goal back on 39 mins to make it 5-3, only for Lemon to score Carniny's sixth goal from a Dawkins corner.

Again Glentoran pulled another goal back and continued to press the Carniny goal, but in doing so let Carniny play in Stewart who finished very well giving him his much deserved hat-trick.

And just to round the day of Stewart added his 4th of the game with a super shot from just outside the area.

Carniny: Dobbin, Lennon, Nelly, Reid, McHenry, Leetch, Young, Dawkins, Lemon, McDonnell, Apsley, Shaw, Stewart.

UNDER-12

Carniny 1, St Oliver Plunkett 6: After an even opening, the Belfast side took the lead on 11 minutes and there was no further scoring until they doubled their advantage in the second half.

Within two minutes SOPYC scored again to make it 3-0 which triggered a mini collapse from Carniny when SOPYC scored twice more.

Carniny kept working away and Camryn Millar scored with a superb effort to make the score 5-1 but Plunkett scored a sixth goal right on the final whistle.

Carniny: Marquess, Sharpe, McCullough, Rowe, Balmer, McDonnell, Fyfe, Harwood, Mairs, Shevlin, Millar, Feeney, Killough

UNDER-13

Carniny 0, St Oliver Plunkett 2: A goal in each half condemned Carniny to defeat after keeper Peter Gillespie had kapt the Ballymena boys in touch.

Carniny also had chances with Sam McNeice and Jonny Cummings but having efforts saved.

Carniny: Gillespie, Lemon, Kirk, McCready, A Graham, Cummings, McNeice Bonnes, D Graham, Calderwood, Gamble, McLoughlin.

UNDER-15

Carniny 7, St Oliver Plunkett 0: Carniny opened the scoring when a long range cross from Zach Barr fell at Jake Carson's feet for him to score five minutes in.

Barr was then on hand to force the second in over the line from close range; Nicky Black got the third when he played a neat little chip over the keeper and Jordan Hood got on the score sheet when he headed home from a corner.

Black got his second of the day when he scored from a Gary Greene cross and Mark McKelvey increased the tally when he hit a sweet long range strike in from the left flank. Hood got his second of the day when he nodded home on the stroke of half time.

The second half was only a minute in when Black completed his hat trick with Captain Craig Greene on hand for another with an unstoppable free kick.

Hood then got his hat trick with another simple nod over the line with Dean Graham scoring two in as many minutes, the first from a super cut back cross from McKelvey. Carson then got his second scoring the final goal of the match.

Carniny: Dunlop, McAllister, White, C Greene, Todd, Barr, G Greene, Taylor, Hood, Black, Graham, McKelvey, Apsley, Carson.

UNDER-16

Carniny 9, St Mary's 1: After two minutes McWhirter broke down the left and his cross was met by Moore whose shot was saved by the goalkeeper but the rebound fell to McWhirter who scored.

From the restart Carniny won the ball and Waring broke down the right and his pass found the impressive Moore who rounded the goalkeeper to score.

Carniny continued to dominate this game but St Mary's broke clear and scored but sustained pressure saw Snowy Waring burst through from midfield before chipping the keeper to make it 3–1.

More great battling in midfield then from McIlveen and Scullion saw McIlveen square the ball to Scullion who rounded a defender before slotting the ball home to make the score 4-1 Carniny.

With 10 minutes to go to half time Waring broke clear again and sent Foster clear and he scored for Carniny. On the stroke of half time McWhirter's blistering pace caught St Mary's out and he found Foster who battled hard before scoring to make the score 6-1 at half time.

In the second half McWhirter again broke clear and squared the ball to Foster who scored to complete his hat trick.

Colin Moore's pinpoint corner found Scullion unmarked and his header found the top corner, and with two minutes remaining McLaughlin raced clear down the right wing and his cross found Scullion who also completed his hat trick.

Carniny: Boyd, Kernohan, McDowell, Coulter, Kerr, Waring, McIlveen, Scullion, Moore, Foster, McWhirter, Clements, McLaughlin, Lilley, McCaughern.

UNDER-17

Carniny 1, Bangor 0: After a scoreless first half, disaster struck when Carniny were reduced to 10 men following an off-the-ball incident but from a Stuart Gilmore long throw it was flicked on by John Cassidy into the path of Niall McGarry who made no mistake with a powerful header at the back post to grab the only and winning goal on the 85th minute.

Carniny: Quigley, McGarry, Thompson, Blair, Millar, Gilmore, Dillon, Cassidy, O'Mullan, McCartney, Deboys, Killough, Sands, Scroggie, Carton, McCluskey, Friel.

NI CUP DRAWS

Carniny Youth will compete in ALL age groups within the various NIBFA knockout cup competitions this season with the following ties in store: U-11s v Antrim Rovers (h); U-12s v Shorts (a); U-13s (Tesco Cup) – Ards Youth (a); U-14s – North Belfast United (h); U-15s – bye; U-16s – Cregagh Wanderers (a); U-17s – Portaferry Town (a).

FDC CLOSES

The IFA recognized Football Development Centre drew to a close on Saturday for the winter break but will resume at the end of January, 2010 with participants informed by letter prior to the sessions commencing.

Last Saturday saw the Centre host their fellow 'top of the town' friends Waveney Youth to the Showgrounds venue in friendly mini soccer games. The club hopes to invite other centres to take part in games at dates to be arranged in the near future.

ORIENTAL FUNDRAISER

The fundraising 'Oriental Evening' held last Friday night at the China Garden Chinese Restaurant proved a great success raising a considerable sum for club funds as well as an enjoyable social event.

The raffle of many prizes along with an auction of goods including a Michael Owen autographed Manchester United football jersey ensured those attending went home happy.