Ardglass FC Beat Downpatrick in Bobby Dalzell Cup Sizzler
The Newcastle and District Amateur Football League,
NFU Bobby Dalzell Cup Final,
Venue: Meadowvale, 26th December 2023,
Final Score: Ardglass 4 3 Downpatrick.
The 2023 NFU Bobby Dalzell cup final could have gone either was as Ardglass and Downpatrick battled it out for the honours on a good day weather-wise in front of an excellent crowd of spectators writes Jim Masson ©.
Ardglass were the first to press forward with Micael Magee chasing a ball into the goal area. Then Jamie McDerby followed through with a charge at goal but was eventually cut off by Downpatrick defender Nathan McShane.
Then Ardglass won a corner but it was promptly cleared by Ryan Cassidy. The match was shaping up to be an interesting contest as Downpatrick kept their cool weathering the early Ardglass attacks.
Downpatrick soon found their feet and were making attacks into the Ardglass half. Josh Montgomery made a great cross to Anthony Carson showing they were in it to win it.
(Photos by Jim Masson/Down News ©)
Aidan Wilson made an excellent solid low volley but keeper Ruairi Murphy dropped on it.
Around 20 minutes, Ardglass wingers Owen Curran on the left wing and Jamie McDarby on the right were firing in some brilliant crosses to the Downpatrick goal area.
Then Magee broke on the right and hit a super dipping volley top the near side corner on target but again keeper Murphy saved it matching Magee’s effort with an equally great dive.
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Owen Curran was making some fast moves down the left wing and crossed to Jordan Finnegan who just missed the knock-in to goal.
Just when it looked as though Ardglass was stepping up a gear, Downpatrick won a corner in an attack.
And the ball came off the head of Andrew McCoubrey in a glancing header giving keeper Crangle no chance as the ball rocketed into the back post in the 26th minute.
Ardglass fought back right away and won a free kick 30 yards from the goal. Matthew Rooney squared up to the ball but shot it over the bar.
Then there was a moment of anxiety for Ardglass as Anthony Carson and Seanny Duggan were challenging in the box from a long cross in and for a moment Ardglass looked wobbly.
The match see-sawed to and fro and eventually Ardglass nailed the equaliser as Owen Curran sent a cross from the left and Finnegan was there to side foot it into the net at 36 minutes. It was all to play for in this tense match.
Downpatrick were holding their shape well and making breaks despite the relentless attacks from Ardglass. Inevitably the tackles became more bruising. There were 7 yellow cards dished out in total, 2 for Ardglass and 5 for Downpatrick.
The teams were drawn 1-1 at half-time. Again there was early pressure from Ardglass but Downpatrick were holding their own.
Then Downpatrick’s Fitzpatrick brought Magee down 30 yards from the Downpatrick goal. On 51 minutes Magee headed the free kick into the Downpatrick net putting Ardglass into the lead.
Ardglass had a spell of much stronger domination. But Downpatrick could not be written off and pounced back and Aidan McCoubey hit a ball on target but it came off an Ardglass defender.
Downpatrick then pressed well into the Ardglass half looking for the equaliser.
Dylan Kelly made a good run in to the Ardglass goal but keeper James Crangle saved his shot. Then Josh Montgomery continued the good spell for Downpatrick with a header which was inches wide of the post.
The close-cut equaliser came in the 89th minute when the ball deflected off Ardglass defender Malachy Crangle. Ardglass had looked odds on at this stage to win but the game was now plunged into extra-time as the score was 2-2.
Again Ardglass pressed forward and Downpatrick gave away a free kick on the left. McDerby took and and in ended up with going to two corners and eventually Caolain O’Shea headed it in to put Ardglass 3-2 ahead.
John Beattie was working well towards the later stages of the match threatening the Downpatrick goal area.
But then Downpatrick showed their metal and dug deep. They forced Ardglass to a corner and Nathan McAlister in 99 minutes scored to put Downpatrick once again Even Stephens with Ardglass.
The stress in both dugouts was palpable. With minutes to go, was the match destined to go to the dreaded penalties ?
Downpatrick were definitely stepping up to the mark and Dylan Kelly launched a solid volley but it was just over the bar.
Then when Magee was again taken down in the box in the closing minutes, the referee pointed to the spot.
Shea Dorian then stepped up and struck the ball on target sealing Downpatrick’s fate on 106 minutes.
Downpatrick were showing their class and pulled out all the stops but were punished at the last moment in this very competitive game.
Downpatrick are a relatively young side and will definitely be a force to reckon with over the next couple of seasons. Watch this space!
Joint Manager Peter O’Shea said: “Myself and Aaron Beattie and Chris Deegan are delighted with this win today. The team have worked hard this season and attended training, and we had a fully fit team on the day.
“We were competitive without being poorly disciplined and today football was the winner.
“I’d like to thank the Newcastle and District Amateur Football League for managing this cup final.
“And also our thanks too to the management at Drumaness Mills who host this great cup event each year at Meadowvale on their top class grass pitch.
“Downpatrick FC played extra well and at the end of it there was little between the teams in the closing moments.”
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Ardglass FC: 1 James Crangle GK 2 Malachy Crangle 3 Corey Mahon 4 Caolain O’Shea (C) 5 Owen Curran 6 Jamie McDarby 7 Aidan Wilson 8 Jordan Finnegan 9 Michael Magee 11 John Beattie 15 Matthew Rooney. Subs: 10 Ryan McKinney 12 James Telford 14 Martin Halpin 16 Michael Clarke 17 Shea Dorrian.
Downpatrick FC : 1 Ruairi Murphy GK 2 Ryan Cassidy 3 Nathan McShane 4 Shea Holland 5 Con Farrell 6 Aidan McCoubrey (C) 7 Nathan McAlister 8 Josh Montgomery 9 Seany Duggan 10 Andrew McCoubrey 11 Anthony Carson. Subs: 12 Morgan Fitzpatrick 14 Barry Treacy 15 Dylan Kelly 16 Conor Moore 17 Jame Harding.
