Strangford FC beat Drumaness Mills Reserves in a tense thriller that went to the wire
The NFU Newcastle and District Amateur Football League,
The Bobby Dalzell Cup Final,
Venue: the Robert Adams Park, Crossgar, on 26 12 24 at 1.30pm.
Final Score: Strangford 1 1 Drumaness Mills. (Strangford won on Penalties 5-3).
The long-awaited NFU Bobby Dalzell Cup kicked off at the 3G Robert Adams Park in Crossgar with a large crowd attending supporting both Strangford FC and Drumaness Mills Reserves writes Jim Masson.
Both teams had strong runs up to the final andwith the first whistle, the action was non-stop except when injuries were being attended to. Both teams went hard at it from the start and this made an excellent game of attacking football.
However, the teams were so good that they virtually cancelled each other’s efforts out in the first half going back to the dressing room looking at the score 0-0. Keepers and defenders were in tip-top form in both teams.
It was Strangford that made the first attack and this was quickly followed by Drumaness pushing back when Shane Teggart crossed to Eoin Kelly who made a run at the Strangford goal.
To be honest, both defences were excellent from the start. Drumaness seemed to be pressing more as the game wore on and Steven Rogan made a fine solo effort clearing two defenders to attack the goal and struck the ball wide under pressure.
In one challenge to the Strangford goal, Gavin McEvoy almost wiggled the ball over the line but a defender Thomas McConville made a sharp clearance ending the push from Drumaness.
Then minutes later Jack Fitsimmons getting warmed up on the left wing made a super attack sending a low volley just wide of the near post.
And after that effort he suffered a leg injury on 15 minutes (a leg already being strapped up) and was replaced by No 14 James Mahoney who had a great game.
Gradually Strangford asserted themselves more and a goal seemed imminent as both teams were going hammer and tongs at it.
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Conal Fitzsimmons made a great run in and hit a low volley forcing keeper Steven Keenan to make a diving saving putting the ball out for a corner.
Then Drumaness pushed back and captain Sean McQuoid found space at the back of the box to shoot but Strangford’s Daniel Bell blocked the shot that was on target giving a corner. At the end of the first 30 minutes a sheet of paper would hardly seperate the two teams.
There was one hiatus in the Strangford goal-mouth when Sean Og Kelly then Rory Reilly had a couple of shots at the goal but Strangford keeper Kinsella was defending his nets well.
Strangford mounted another attack and Thomas Fitzsimmons crossed to Aodhan Harney but the ensuing header was just wide a fraction.
Just before the whistle for half-time, Fionn McFall hit a peach of a shot low from the back of the Drumaness box – he was unlucky as it was on target but ricochetted off the legs of defenders.
The second half commenced and Gavin McEvoy seemed to be playing more in an inside forward role and fed balls to his front line and support attacks.
Drumaness’ McEvoy made an excellent early onside cross to Sean McQuoid and Jamie Morgan in the front of the Strangford goal but keeper Kinsella pushed the header out to safety.
Both teams were finding opportunities but good goal-keeping and defending cancelled their efforts out. Morgan found space to launch a volley at the Strangford goal but was just over the top bar.
Then FINALLY, the dam burst. John Polley headed in to the middle of the Drumaness goal from a corner in the 64th minute to the relief of the bench and their spectators.
Then Strangford sub James Mahoney broke forward and almost scored and Eoin Waterson too got a run at the Drumaness goals but was blocked at the edge of the box. Strangford had raised their game.
Drumaness were not giving up their hopes of a cup win that easily and clawed their way back into the game again as McEvoy crossed to Morgan in the box and almost produced a useful header. This combination seemed to be working well for Drumaness.
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But Drumaness fought back and McQuoid lashed a volley from the edge of the Strangford box and it was just inched over.
Then eventually as Drumaness pressed hard into the Strangford box again, defender Thomas Fitzsimmons took down Drumaness midfielder Daniel Bell and referee Peter Kelly pointed to the spot.
Captain Sean McQuoid stepped up to the spot and nailed the ball to the back of the net making it 1-1 in the 83rd minute.
The match started to get very physical as both teams began to tire, but there was only one yellow card dished out in the 16th minute to Drumaness player Eoin Kelly that was a testament to referee Peter Kelly’s good handling of the game keeping tempers level.
Again McEvoy put the ball through this time to McQuoid who hit it over from the back of the box past the Strangford top post.
The whistle blew and extra-time loomed ahead. Both teams were already quite exhausted.
In the first period it was Strangford who pressed forward and captain Fitzsimmons just missed a header opportunity. Then Strangford’s Stefan McGrattan crossed to Mahoney charging at the Drumaness goal but keeper Keenan came out and cut his approach off to the goal.
Strangford kept up the pressure in the second period although Drumaness did have a couple of decent breaks and opportunities. But some of the Drumaness legs were tired and cramping up.
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The whistle blew and penalties were to finally sort out a winner. The first three kickers for Drumaness netted then McGivern’s shot was saved and Deegan hit the crossbar. All the Strangford kickers scored, John Polley taking the last for Strangford to lift the Bobby Dalzell Cup for 2024. His goal in play was enough to give Strangford the edge.
There was little to separate the two teams and sadly there had to be a loser. It was an exciting final, played in good spirit in front of a large, appreciative crowd.
This win will boost Strangford’s confidence and make them even more formidable competitors in the NADAFL Premier Division.
Next up will be the Harry Clarke Cup, always a high point at the end of the soccer season.
Strangford FC: 1 Cathal Kinsella 2 Thomas Fitzsimmons 3 Fionn McFall 4 John Polley 5 Paul Donnelly 6 Aodhan Harney 7 Rory Reilly 8 Shane Teggart 9 Conal Fitzsimmons (C) 10 Eoin Kelly 11 Jack Fitzsimmons. Subs: 12 Owen Curran 14 James Mahoney 15 Stefan MGrattan 16 Eoin Watterson 17 Conall Magee.
Drumaness Mills Reserves: 1 Steven Keenan 2 Rory Deegan 3 Jaiden Murdock 4 Thomas McConville 5 Daniel Bell 7 Gavin McEvoy 8 Sean McQuoid (C) 9 Jamie Morgan 10 Rory McQuoid 11 Sean Og Kelly 18 Steven Rogan. Subs: 6 Shea Curran 12 Philip Rogan 14 James Givern 15 Oran Gormley 16 Lewie Soar.
