Castlewellan come so close in final bid

Castlewellan come so close in final bid

2 April 2014

BRAVE Castlewellan narrowly failed in their bid to reach the final of the County Antrim Junior Shield.

Up against Twinbrook side St. Luke’s, from Division 2B of the Amateur League, at Clandeboye Road, Bangor, they were 4-1 down with 15 minutes to go, but couldn’t quite pull off a sensational recovery.

Even after pulling two goals back — both courtesy of Daniel Morgan — they had their chances to draw level. But it wasn’t to be.

St Luke’s took the lead after five minutes when Paul McManus was fouled by Donal McKibben on the edge of the box and John Munster unleashed a rocket which went past the wall and beyond the reach of Michael Watson in the Castlewellan goal.

Castlewellan survived more St. Luke’s pressure and deservedly drew level on 15 minutes when Donal McKibben surpassed Munster’s effort by drilling a free from kick from four yards outside the box into the bottom corner of the St. Luke’s net.

Castlewellan came under more pressure, but looked like they were going to hold out until half time. But just before the break the impressive Munster spotted Watson off his line and his lob on the turn from all of 25 yards found its target and Castlewellan were 2-1 down.

The second half began with Castlewellan again under the cosh and they were lucky to survive a penalty appeal when St. Luke’s player Andrew Brady went down in the box after being challenged by Barry Travers. Fortunately, the referee ignored St. Luke’s protests.

However, Town ended the half as they had started it by conceding a goal.

When Munster spotted Watson off his line, a tremendous piece of improvisation saw him send an exquisite lob on the turn over the keeper and into the net from 25 yards.

The pressure eventually took its took in the 60th minute when Watson was beaten by a curling shot from Connor O’Brien.

The Castlewellan management rang the changes. Off came Stevie Trainor and Dean Anderson. In their place Sean Dornan and Donagh Steele entered the fray.

Still St. Luke’s came forward and it was 4-1 when Conal McCabe headed home for a corner.

Then cane the Castlewellan fightback. It began when Morgan headed in a cross at the back post to make it 4-2.

Nial Toner, on for Aidan Kelly, had a great chance when the ball ped to him in the box, but shot high over the bar.

When Morgan scored his second with five minutes remaining, the Castlewellan supporters must have felt that upset might be on the cards.

As St. Luke’s tired, Castlewellan by contrast were looking rejuvenated and threatening to equalise.

Doran won a free kick which McArdle shot straight at the keeper. They had another free kick seconds later when Morgan was fouled out wide. McKibben’s kick was punched clear and the follow-up was blocked by a defender.

Castlewellan were doing everything they could and in their efforts Connor Stratton was yellow-carded.

In the other semi-final, St Paul’s beat Ballykeel 5-2 to reach the final on Wednesday, April 16.

Castlewellan: Michael Watson, Barry Travers, Aidan Kelly (Nial Toner, 75), Conor Stratton, John Clarke, Sean Russell, Dean Anderson (Donagh Steele 69), Ruairi McArdle, Donal McKibben, Daniel Morgan, Stephen Trainor (Sean Dornan, 69).

St Luke’s: Sean Tierney, Pearce Smith, Andrew Brady, Emmet Hughes, Conal McCabe, Paul McManus, Connor O’Brien, Michael McDonnell, Paul O’Rourke, Aaron McKinney, John Munster. Subs: Sean Smith, Paul Williamson, Aiden McGahey.