Ardglass FC finish their season with scooping the three main trophies
Newcastle and District Amateur Football League,
The Kitroom Cup Final,
Venue: Robert Adams Park Crossgar, on 17 5 25,
Final Score: Ardglass FC 4 0 Downpatrick FC.
(Photos by Jim Masson/Downews ©).
Robert Adams Park was bathed in hot sunshine for this Kitroom Cup Final which saw Ardglass go head-to-head with Downpatrick in the final showpiece of the season in front of a large crowd of supporters writes Cyril McKinney.
Both sides started well but as the half developed so did Ardglass’s influence on the game with Aidy Watson and Jamie McDarby pulling the strings and knocking the ball about at will despite the best efforts of Downpatrick’s Barry Treacy and Josh Montgomery.
Both sets of defences seemed to be coping with the attacking threat until a ball over the top from O’Shea caused havoc in the Downpatrick back line and a mix-up between keeper and defender left Karl O’Neill with an open net and he made no mistake to put Ardglass 1-0 up on 23 minutes.
Downpatrick bounced back and Montgomery forced a decent save from keeper James Crangle in the Ardglass nets on 29 minutes. At the other end a deep cross from the Ardglass left wing found Malachy Crangle at the back post in space but he missed the target with a header from close range on 31 minutes.
Ardglass stretched their lead on 37 minutes when centre back Caolain O’Shea powered home a Jamie McDarby right wing corner to leave the half-time scoreline at 2-0 to Ardglass.
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The second half saw Ardglass fail to capitalise on their superior possession and allowed Downpatrick a route back into the game which they could not take with Corey Mahon, Malachy Crangle, and Caolain O’Shea snuffing out any attacking threat.
As the game developed the intensity leveled dropped due to the heat and as the game entered the final 10 minutes Ardglass came back into the game and when substitute John Beattie swung in a left wing cross and Karl O’Neill got in front of the defender marking him at the near post and volleyed home from 6 yards past a helpless Taylor Beattie in the Downpatrick nets to make it 3-0 and effectively win the game.
Downpatrick heads dropped when they had reached the point of no return and as the final whistle approached Ardglass won a right wing corner taken by Jamie McDarby. He kick found Caolain O’Shea who powered home his second of the afternoon and his sides fourth goal to leave the final score 4-0 to Ardglass.
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The scoreline reflected Ardglass’ superiority on the day and despite Downpatrick’s best efforts they were no match for Ardglass who at times played some great football reckoned with.
Ardglass co-manager Aaron Beattie said: “We managed to keep our game together and stay focused but it was very hard in that heat. I would like to congratulate the whole team and all our loyal supporters through the season.
“It was an incredible feeling wining all three cups. The lads deserve it all. They played their hearts out this season.
“And I’d like to thank Downpatrick FC for their sportsmanship throughout. They are still a young team and will be a force to reckon with in the seasons to come.
“Also, I’d like to thank the sponsor Kitroom for providing the cup, and the team at Robert Adams Park for their great new facility.
“And last but now least, , to the hard working officials and referees of the Newcastle and District Amateur Football League, a huge thank you.”
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Ardglass FC: 1 James Crangle (GK) 2 Corey Mahon 3 Malachy Crangle, 4 Caolain O’Shea 5 Michael Clarke 6 Dara O’Shea 7 Jamie McDarby 11 Pabhraig O’Shea, 9 Michael Magee (C) 10 Karl O’Neill, 15 Aidy Watson. Subs: 8 John Beattie for Pabhraig O’Shea, 12 Shea Dorrian for Michael Clarke, 14 Jordan Deegans, Ryan McKinney for 16 Dara O’Shea.
Downpatrick FC: 1 Taylor Beattie (GK) 2 Shea Holland 3 Ben Hynds 4 Con Farrell, 5 Connor Campbell 6 Barry Treacy 7 Nathan McAlister 8 Josh Montgomery (C), 9 William Taggart, 10 Sean Duggan, 11 Caolain Deegan. Subs: 12 Declan Dowie for Nathan McAlister, 17 Anthony Carson for William Taggart, 14 Harry McCarthy for Barry Treacy.
