Forest upset the odds in Ardglass

Forest upset the odds in Ardglass

9 March 2022

CASTLEWELLAN Forest secured their spot in the semi-final stages of the Harry Clarke Cup after they dramatically defeated a favoured Ardglass side on Saturday.

Despite trailing by two goals with less than five minutes left on the clock, Forest managed to force extra-time, and then penalties, following a bizarre conclusion to the 90 minutes that ended with a red card and a fairytale finish.

Sean Dornan was the hero between the sticks in the shootout after saving two separate Ardglass efforts while converting his chance from the spot for good measure.

To add further to the drama, Dornan was initially outfield for Forest before swapping positions with ‘keeper Brian McVeigh a minute before the final whistle of extra-time sounded.

It was a sunny yet bitterly cold Ardglass venue but that didn’t deter things from immediately heating up on the pitch as both teams sought to gain the upper hand early.

However, it was the home side who would take the lead within the opening ten minutes when striker Michael Magee struck the ball into the net from close range.

This lead would be short-lived as the visitors penned Ardglass back into their own half and soon Castlewellan were rewarded for their relentless attacking.

A quickly played pass across the box was met by Forest forward Shane Mooney, who made no mistake with his right footed finish beyond the outstretched arms of Ardglass custodian Mark Armstrong.

Chances followed for the visitors, including a Sean Dornan effort that cracked the outside of the post from range and an opportunity for striker Scott Kinley, which quickly diminished after he took too much time on the ball.

However, Ardglass refused to be bullied for a prolonged period of time from a side a division below in the Newcastle League and often launched some dangerous looking counterattacks.

One such breakaway ended with Shane Teggart earning his Ardglass side a corner which led to a goalmouth scramble before the ball was headed off the line and away from danger.

Ardglass began to find their feet and found more success up front thanks to the probing runs of marksman Magee, who was giving the Castlewellan defence plenty to think about.

The Ardglass number nine was unfortunate to see his free-kick effort saved at the second time of asking, but he did give his side the chance to go in front when his nifty footwork inside the Forest box resulted in a mistimed tackle and a penalty awarded.

Stephen Deegan stepped up a coolly dispatched the spot kick, sending Castlewellan custodian Brian McVeigh the opposite direction in the process.

Castlewellan continued to battle with Donagh Steele in the middle of the park having a particularly notable performance as he chased down every loose ball available.

Despite their good work, Forest may count themselves fortunate not to go into the break further behind as the usually clinical Magee fluffed his lines from ten yards, missing a golden opportunity for Ardglass.

The drama of the first half carried onto the second and in a matter of minutes the referee was forced to make another potentially game changing decision.

Once again, the hosts released Magee into the danger area although this time he had Castlewellan captain Aidan Dornan hot on his heels.

The move ended with Magee on the ground with his hands in the air appealing for a penalty, however, this time appeals were swiftly waved off.

The contest quickly turned into a feisty affair as Ardglass looked to overrun their counterparts by sending bodies forward in waves of attacks.

Jordan Finnegan saw his snapshot smartly saved by Forest ‘keeper McVeigh before strike partner Magee saw another one of his efforts tipped wide by the impressive Castlewellan number one.

Midway through the half Castlewellan were afforded a seldom opportunity, but Sean Dornan opted to pass when he maybe should have tried his luck at goal instead.

Soon after, a punt upfield from the Ardglass defence evaded the heads of the opposition, including ‘keeper McVeigh, and almost resulted in a rather comedic goal.

However, the Castlewellan defence recovered just in the nick of time to avoid any red faces.

With 20 minutes left of the 90, Ardglass would finally add to their tally after a sumptuous dead ball delivery from Neil Teggart lofted onto the head of team-mate Malachy Crangle, who directed his effort into the net.

Castlewellan knew the clock was against them but firmly pushed for a way back into the tie. Rossa McCartan was introduced to the fray off the bench in what proved to be a decisive move from Castlewellan head coach Conall Burns.

With a minute of regulation time to go, McCartan danced his way down the line and into the Ardglass box where he was adjudged to be brought down unfairly.

Forest striker Mooney converted the penalty to notch his second goal of the match but there was little belief from the surrounding spectators that there would be enough time for another opportunity.

In what was seemingly one last throw of the dice, Castlewellan were awarded a free-kick inside their own half and players gathered at the edge of the opposing 18-yard line waiting for the delivery.

However, before the free-kick could be taken, some roughhousing from both sides would end with Ardglass substitute Aidan Watson being shown the red card after he seemingly lost his discipline and kicked out at the opposition.

A bizarre series would follow, as the initial free-kick was then brought forward to the 18-yard line where Watson committed his foul, and from here Castlewellan would take full advantage.

Sean Dornan struck his lowly driven effort beneath the jumping Ardglass wall, and goalkeeper Mark Armstrong could only momentarily divert the ball away from goal before the onrushing Callum McCabe would tap-in to draw the sides level.

With that, the final whistle of regulation time was blown and extra-time was set to commence.

To both side’s credit, the intensity of the match remained but neither manufactured any real clear cut chances.

Ardglass striker Magee picked up a yellow card but the most notable move of extra-time came from the Castlewellan management, who 

opted to swap midfielder Sean Dornan for goalkeeper McVeigh a minute before the penalty shootout.

This would prove decisive as Dornan broke Ardglass hearts and saved two penalties, giving his Castlewellan side a memorable victory and place in the last four of the Harry Clarke Cup.

Following the dramatic encounter, Dornan reflected on his side’s performance.

“We were low on numbers coming down here and we probably weren’t as strong as we could be,” he said.

“But the credit has to go to the boys, we worked hard and it worked out for us.

“We went 3-1 down but we battled hard, got a penalty and a fluky goal.”

He added: “The Harry Clarke Cup is blown wide open, Ardglass was probably the favourites and we knocked them out so it’s anyones now.”

Ardglass: M Armstrong, C Kearney, M Crangle, N Teggart, C O’Shea, M Rooney (capt), S Deegan, SP Halpin, M Magee, J Finnegan, S Teggart.

Subs: S Dorrian, A Watson, J Deegans, A O’Shea.

Yellow card: M Magee

Red card: A Watson

Castlewellan: B McVeigh, C McCabe, C Stratton, C Burns, A Dornan (capt), D Gilmore, S Dornan, D Steele, S Mooney, S Kinley, J Murnin.

Subs: C McVeigh, R McCartan.