Castlewellan are Christmas kings

Castlewellan are Christmas kings

1 January 2013

IT was a case of Groundhog Day for Castlewellan when they lifted the Bobby Dalzell Cup for the third year in a row at a miserably wet Drumaness on Boxing Day.

Ballyvea must now be sick of the sight of Castlewellan, especially Liam McKibben who has now won three Dalzell Cup final man of the match awards — and all of them against Ballyvea.

The Carginagh Road side gave as good as they got in an entertaining final, but they were unable to contain a Castlewellan side who produced an explosive last ten minutes when they scored twice to secure victory.

Castlewellan had the bit between their teeth from an early stage and went at Ballyvea from the outset. A surging run from Conall Corrigan in the fifth minute took him to the edge of the penalty area.

His low cross was met by McKibben, but Keith Hanna and goalkeeper Johnny Main combined to snuff out the danger. Five minutes later Nial Toner sliced his shot wide from a good position, but Ballyvea then started to come to terms with their opponents and diligently battled back into contention with Philip and David McConnell leading the way from the back.

Castlewellan were being stifled in the middle of the park where Philip Main, who was a contender for the man of the match award and Brian White, were ruffling a few feathers with their physical approach.

Frustration led to Castlewellan’s McKibben and Sean Russell picking up yellow cards before Paddy Keown created an opening with a headed flick into the box, in the 33rd minute, but there was nobody at home to take advantage.

Ballyvea then won their first corner in the 35th minute, but Castlewellan managed to clear their lines for another corner. This time, Philip Chambers put the ball into the six yard box and Philip Main outjumped everybody to head past a helpless Mickey Watson and give Ballyvea the lead.

Castlewellan were stirred into action and they got lucky in the 44th minute when they were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box for hand ball when a Keown shot struck Matty Johnston on the arm.

Ruairi McArdle stepped up and drilled a stinging free kick right through Johnny Main for a deserved equaliser.

Castlewellan opened the second half on the attack and with less than a minute gone a cross from McKibben was met by Keown. His shot was blocked and Donagh Steele headed the loose ball over the bar.

Three minutes later McKibben, who was now roaming all over the place, went perilously close with an audacious overhead kick as the Town started to turn the screw.

Ballyvea refused to budge and Johnny Main saved from McKibben and Flanagan.

Chambers chanced his arm at the other end with a cheeky lob, but Watson calmly dealt with the situation when he plucked the ball out of the air.

The game was still there for the taking, but it was Castlewellan who finished the stronger and their impact subs then stole the show.

With ten minutes remaining Stevie Trainor, who had replaced Colm Flanagan, ghosted on to the ball a good 30 yards from goal.

He took a few positive steps forward and then drilled one as sweet as a nut into the bottom corner of the net to give the Town a 2-1 lead.

Ballyvea were dead on their feet and McKibben should have made it 3-1 in the 87th minute when he waltzed through, but he was denied by Johnny Main.

McKibben wasn’t to be denied and with the game in added time he capitalised on a slip by Johnny Main and walked the ball into the net to wrap things up.

However, Liam almost made a hash of things as he slipped as he went to pass the ball into the net.

He had already started his celebrations and had to quickly regain his balance before poking the ball into a empty net with Johnny Main stranded.

Castlewellan: M. Watson, A. Kelly, C. Corrigan, C. Stratton, R. McArdle, N. Toner, D. Steele, S. Russell, C. Flanagan, L. McKibben, P. Keown. Subs: D. Anderson, P. McGrady, D. McKibben, S. Trainor.

Ballyvea: J. Main, M. Johnston, K, Hanna, D. McConnell, P. McConnell, P. Heelham, P. Chambers, B. White, M. McConnell, M. Burden, P. Main. Subs: P. Thompson, M. Haugh, J. McConnell.

•  Man of the match: Liam McKibben (Castlewellan).

Castlewellan 3

Ballyvea 1

BOBBY DALZELL CUP FINAL