Mahoneys score at both ends

Mahoneys score at both ends

22 March 2023

BALLYNAGROSS were crowned Bobby Dalzell Cup champions after they defeated Strangford at Meadowvale on Friday.

The St Patrick’s Day showdown was ultimately decided by way of the dreaded penalty shoot-out after the teams refused to be split in both regulation and extra-time.

Following a tentative first half, during which either side struggled to gain a foothold on the contest, there was Mahoney magic on display after the interval from two opposing siblings on the pitch. 

Callum, who plays for Ballynagross, opened the scoring from close range shortly after the hour mark before his brother, James, equalised for Strangford just two minutes later.

However, there would be no further goals during play to treat the sizeable crowd who had gathered to voice their support. 

Instead, they were forced to endure a nail-biting finale which eventually saw Ballynagross substitute Aodhán Harney convert the crucial spot kick to give his team the Bobby Dalzell crown.

Early indications favoured the Strangford outfit, who despite not creating any clearcut chances, enjoyed the lion’s share of possession.

Ballynagross remained dangerous on the counter-attack, although they were being pegged back into their own half more times than they would have liked.

Despite this, it was in fact Ballynagross who thought they had snatched an early lead as in-form striker Declan Dowie poked his effort past Strangford veteran ‘keeper Greg Holland.

However, this attempt was chalked off for offside. Strangford took this as a warning and immediately went on the offence, with James Mahoney seeing his strike saved by ‘Gross custodian Cathail Arnold.

It was nip and tuck from both teams for the duration of the first half, with neither fully committing to an attack.

There was flashes of brilliance with Ballynagross’ highlight coming from a well worked move that began with ‘keeper Arnold.

The number one offloaded the ball to team-mate John Shields, who punted a pass forward to Jo Jo Burns.

The Ballynagross midfielder played a nice one touch sequence with Callum Mahoney before the ball swiftly moved on to striker Dowie, who played an inviting cross into the box where Mahoney’s volley went narrowly wide.

Again, this sent confirmation to Strangford that they would not be allowed to lose their concentration for even a split second.

Strangford enjoyed possession but knew they needed to get the ball into the opposing third and they did just that when captain Thomas Fitzsimons – who was instrumental throughout – played a sumptuous pass over the Ballynagross defence to ‘Ford striker Conal Fitzsimmons.

The forward finished with aplomb off the post and into the back of the net but for the second occasion during the half, the goal was disallowed for offside.

A few half chances followed but the teams entered the break level.

Ballynagross returned to the pitch with renewed initiative, no doubt due to their half-time team talk from manager Philip Campbell, and began the second period with intent.

Dowie stung the hands of Strangford ‘keeper Holland with a shot from range before Callum Mahoney glanced his header wide from a corner.

‘Gross midfielders Cormac Byrne, who was awarded the man of the match for his dogged display, and Shea McComiskey were in the thick of the action, although the latter received a few earfuls from referee James McCreesh on more than a few occasions.

Strangford remained threatening, with attackers Fitzsimmons, Mahoney and Shéa Savage looking lively at intervals but it would be Ballynagross who would break the deadlock.

The Strangford defence failed to properly clear the danger of a Ballynagross free-kick and the ball would land to the feet of McComiskey.

The number eight pinged an inch perfect cross to the head of team-mate Burns, who set up the onrushing Mahoney for an easy tap in.

Perhaps still on a high from opening the scoring, the Ballynagross defence was breached within two minutes as James Mahoney timed his run to perfection before chipping ‘keeper Arnold to level the tie.

The game finally caught fire and both teams seemed to go for it. Byrne was making things tick in the Ballynagross midfield and set up numerous chances for his side but the final product was lacking.

The final opportunity of the 90 fell to Strangford attacker Fitzsimmons, although his header went the wrong side of the post.

Extra-time was marred by cramp as both sets of players felt the strain of the heavy pitch underfoot.

It was Strangford who finished strongest with ‘Gross custodian Arnold pulling off a fingertip save in the dying minutes to ensure penalties would decide the tie.

The players stepped up one by one but Arnold would pull off a crucial save to prevent Strangford’s fifth spot kick from hitting the back of the net, allowing substitute Harney to convert and win the cup for his team.

After the match, Ballynagross boss Philip Campbell reflected on his team’s victory.

“It was end to end, typical cup stuff,” he said.

“It went right down to the last penalty as well.

“I feel sorry for Strangford, I know exactly how they are feeling as we had a similar situation in the Harry Clarke Cup against Killough so I know what the guys are going through.

“However, it’s time now for my team and I to celebrate.”

Strangford: G Holland, S McGrattan, C Magee, T Fitzsimons (capt), F McFall, S Teggart, J Doran, C Shields, C Fitzsimmons, J Mahoney, S Savage.

Subs: O Curran, E Watterson, E King, J Shields, C Kinsella.

Yellow cards: F McFall, S Teggart, J Doran.

Ballynagross: C Arnold, C Marron (capt), J Shields, C Laverty, C Campbell, C Byrne, J Burns, S McComiskey, D Dowie, J Fitzsimons, C Mahoney.

Subs: A McNeill, A Harney, D Craig, R Tumelty.

Yellow cards: C Byrne.

Referee: J McCreesh.