Ballynagross unable to deliver as Rovers grab glory

14 May 2014

NEIL Doran and Ryan O’Hare swooped like two avenging angels to secure the ClubSport NI Harry Clarke Cup for Mourne Rovers at Meadowvale on Friday night.

Rovers, beaten by Castlewellan in the Bobby Dalzell Cup final at Christmas, used that chastening defeat as a motivating factor.

Ballynagross played their part in a riveting encounter, especially their captain Ritchie Fryer, who was the personification of the Blond Bomber. He ran himself to a standstill, tackled everything and anything that came across his path, flew through the air to get his head to the ball and led his troops from way out front.

Fair play to Ballynagross, they opted for a fluid 4-2-4, 4-4-2 formation and signalled their attacking intent from the off. This adventurous gambit caught Mourne Rovers out a bit as Liam Craig’s side seized the early initiative.

With five minutes gone Chris Fryer launched a free kick into the box from out on the right flank. His delivery over the heads of the Rovers defence was spot on, but neither Donal McCavera or Jason Dagens were able to take advantage.

A minute later Matthew O’Shea went it alone, but his effort was deflected for a corner. Rovers then mounted their first attack of note in the 11th minute when a Harrison free kick was well saved by Conor McAllister. The game had now settled down into an entertaining affair and with 20 minutes gone McCavera fired one over the top after good approach play from Dagens.

Ballynagross’ world then fell apart. They were ripped open at the back when a simple free kick from the right was headed home by Neil Doran, who was given the freedom of the box by a benevolent Ballynagross defence.

All of Ballynagross’ excellent work in the opening 26 minutes had come to nothing and it was to get even worse for them.

Daryll McGrady went close with a stinging free kick in the 36th minute before the game took a dramatic twist. Rovers’ Jamie Carroll slid in to challenge ‘keeper McAllister who seemed to have both hands on the ball.

Carroll’s challenge appeared late and clumsy and he caught McAlister with what seemed to be both feet, but he escaped with a talking to and no red card.

Rovers breathed a sigh of relief and just to rub salt into the wounds they mounted a counterattack and Ryan O’Hare fired home via a deflection after a goalmouth scramble to make it 2-0.

Ballynagross started the second half the same way they started the game, on the offensive and with Fryer urging his troops on, they gave it a lash.

With 47 minutes gone Dagens cross from the right picked out McCavera, but he could only find the side netting. A minute later Ronan McDowell kept out a pile driver from Fryer and with 53 minutes gone McCavera had another effort saved by McDowell after Gavin Burns created the opening.

Ballynagross continued to search for the breakthrough, but Rovers held firm. Dagens had a shot saved by McDowell and with 61 minutes gone O’Shea carved out a chance for Dagens, but he headed over from a good position.

Mourne Rovers were more than happy to let Ballynagross come at them and then retaliate on the break and with 64 minutes gone this tactic almost paid dividends when Connaire Harrison was released by Neil Doran, but with only McAllister to beat he shot wide.

Two minutes later Michael Ireland let fly with one of his trademark volleys, but his blockbuster hit the crossbar and flew to safety. Ballynagross were living dangerously, but they had to in a bid to get back in the game.

With 74 minutes gone substitute Billy Finnegan chanced his arm with a snapshot from well outside the box for Ballynagross, but his strike whistled past the post.

Finnegan had no choice but to go it alone five minutes later, but this time his effort was deflected for a corner. When the ball was swung into the melting pot it appeared to strike a Rovers player on the hand, but no penalty was given.

Fryer continued to battle until the bitter end, but it wasn’t to be and with the final whistle ready to blow, he was urging on his team-mates for one last push.

Mourne Rovers: R. McDowell, R. Clarke, N. McArdle, R. Doran, C. O’Hare, R. O’Hare, Mark Trimble, N. Doran, M. Ireland, C. Harrison, J. Carroll. Subs: N. Houston, P. McManus, Ryan Doran, R. Sloan, R. Clerkin.

Ballynagross: C. McAllister, C. Fryer, C. Laverty, S. Sloan, R. Fryer, D. McGrady, G. Burns, R. Burns, J. Dagens, M. O’Shea, D. McCavera. Subs: B. Finnegan, K. Johnston, M. Burns, D. Craig, P. O’Reilly.

• Man of the match: Neil Doran.

Mourne Rovers 2

Ballynagross 0

HARRY CLARKE CUP FINAL

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