Ballybofey United and Rathmullan Celtic will contest the Brian McCormick Cup final this season after semi-final wins today.
Brian Mc Cormick Cup Semi-Finals
Keadue Rovers 0 Ballybofey United 1
Ballybofey United emerged from Central Park with victory over the home side in the semi-final of the Brian McCormick Cup on Sunday. The game was played in fine conditions with good sunshine but a stiff breeze throughout.
The first five minutes saw Keadue knocking it around well using the wind well and creating a few half chances. Ballybofey though settled down after that and began creating a few chances of their own with the opening effort on eleven minutes saved by Hugh Yank Boyle. The away side were using the wings well in particular, getting in behind the home defence on a number of occasions and forcing a number of set pieces.
They deservedly took the lead on twenty eight minutes when following a corner on the right the ball was poked home from close range by striker Damien Glackin.
Keadue responded well to going one down and just a few minutes later David Ward’s free kick was well saved while from the corner Corey Gallagher’s header went wide. It was an open game at this stage and Ballybofey had another effort just wide on thirty five, while a good move on thirty six minutes started by Ryan Greene saw Shaun Yank Boyle and Corey Gallagher both go close.
The home side continued to press and were unlucky not to carve out a few more openings by half time although Ballybofey were dangerous on the break and could’ve made it two just before half time with an effort that went wide.
At the start of the second half the away side were sharp out of the blocks and pushed the home defence back, creating a few good chances. Keadue started to put a good spell together around fifty five minutes when Shaun Yank Boyle started running on to some through balls and creating some decent chances. Keadue looked to be level on 61 minutes but it the goal was ruled out.
By midway through the second half it was all Keadue and Ballybofey almost conceded an own goal and on seventy minutes Shaun Yank Boyle hit the crossbar again from close range following a mix up in the Ballybofey defence. The away defence held firm despite all the pressure and it was in the eighty ninth minute when Keadues’ last chance came, with a goalbound shot hit off the line.
A stout defensive performance from Ballybofey who emerge with great credit to continue their fine season going on to the cup final, while for the home side it was a marginal defeat and a good performance, particularly in the second half and the bounce of the ball just didn’t go their way.
Best for Ballybofey were Rory Dunleavy, Shaun McGowan and Neil Lloyd, while best for Keadue were Chris Greene, Donal Rodgers and Shaun Yank Boyle. Referee: Liam McLaughlin.
Rathmullan Celtic 2 St. Catherines 1
After a roller coaster of a season the seaside town have seen an upturn in their fortunes the past few weeks and the result against St.Catherines ensures that the Rathmullan faithful will have to get Visas in order as they booked a spot in the final of the Brian McCormick Cup.
It didn’t always look that way as St. Catherines started off brightly and took the lead through Ryan Farrell. His effort was initially saved by Mark Gallagher in the Rathmullan goal but Farrell followed up securing the lead for the Killybegs men.
Just as it looked like St.Catherines would keep that score till the break, up stepped Eoin Sheridan to head the ball goal wards. Joe McHugh blew the half time soon after and the teams went in all square.
Rathmullan started brightly in the second half and scored soon after when Jude “the patron saint of lost causes” chased a ball that he should never has won and headed the ball passed the hapless Killybegs keeper.
Best for Rathmullan were Gavin O’Donnell, James Gallagher and Alan Boal .
Indeed it was a fine team performance by the Hoops and best for St Catherine’s were Ryan Carr and Ryan Farrell.
So it’s safety in the league to concentrate on for the next few weeks with the added bonus of a showcase final to look forward to. Perhaps the tide is turning down Rathmullan way.
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