Castlewellan seconds take final honours in Harry Clarke Cup

10 May 2017

CASTLEWELLAN seconds stunned local football last Friday night at Meadowvale when they produced one the biggest giant killing acts in the history of the Newcastle League to lift the Toals Harry Clarke Cup.

The Town, who play in Division 1, were expected by many to be mere cannon fodder for Alan Henning’s newly-crowned Premier League champions, but that’s not how it turned out.

Castlewellan had a voracious appetite for the ball and the game plan to match their undoubted hunger. Their incisive play into Gareth McKibben and Conor Doyle had Annalong at odds and not happy in their skin as wave after wave of ball was fired into the path of the willing front men.

By half-time Castlewellan led 2-0 with a penalty from Gareth McKibben and a second from Aidy Dornan — they never looked back after this.

Both sides had horrendous run-ins to the final with Annalong having to play four games in 10 days, including a title decider 72 hours before Friday’s showdown. This was also Castlewellan’s fourth game in 10 days, but they did have a break of five days since their last game.

Castlewellan made the more confident start and with barely 60 seconds on the clock Dornan was denied a dramatic opener when Annalong ‘keeper John Sloan robbed him off possession as the Town winger went to shoot.

Five minutes later at the other end a subdued Ryan McMurray had a shot tipped round the post by Danny Cassidy before a Richard Gordon header came off the upright.

Back came Castlewellan and Peter Heelham did well to block a Gareth McKibben shot close to the line when a goal looked certain.

Joe O’Neill, who had an outstanding game as midfield enforcer for Castlewellan alongside Donagh Steele, fired over the bar in the 14th minute

Castlewellan continued to boss matters and with 21 minutes gone they broke the deadlock. Gareth McKibben was on to a loose back pass in a flash and taken down in the box as he went round Sloan.

The big Annalong custodian made a great save at the post to stop McKibben’s penalty, but the ball squirmed from his grasp and rolled over the line. This ensured that the young striker had scored in every round.

Three minutes later O’Neill sent Gareth McKibben clear yet again, but Sloan saved well. The young flying machine was having a field day out on the left flank and with 27 minutes gone he left two defenders floundering in his wake before warming Sloan’s hands with another effort.

The writing was on the wall for Annalong as Castlewellan continued to ask questions and with 29 minutes gone they made it 2-0 when Dornan converted a Gareth McKibben cross after O’’Neill had carved out the opening.

Gordon had a shot saved at the other end before Lee Ward fired a tantalising cross into the box that begged to be tucked away, but there was nobody at home.

The second half was just not as entertaining as Annalong negated McKibben’s threat and played with a bit more self belief, but they were still unable to get past Cassidy.

With 57 minutes gone Stevie Burden, who was now playing up front, was desperately unlucky to see his lobbed effort hit the woodwork before McKibben chipped the ball straight into Sloan’s arms after Doyle sent him scampering clear with a delightful flick.

The former Killough utility man then wasted two great chances to increase Castlewellan’s lead, but he was denied by Sloan and a miraculous clearance off the line from Gareth Graham.

Annalong lost the services of Burden when he was stretchered off after colliding with Cassidy and with him went any chance of a comeback.

McMurray did have two good attempts late on, but it would have been harsh on Castlewellan had they conceded.

Castlewellan: D Cassidy, N Travers, N McKibben, C Burns, S Connolly, J O’Neill, L Ward, D Steele, G McKibben, C Doyle, A Dornan. Subs: C Og Crilly, M Stratton, P McVeigh, E Travers, S Mooney.

Annalong Swifts: J Sloan, P Heelham, G Forsythe, S Burden, A Nugent, J Gilchrist, R Gordon, M Newell, L Maybin, G Graham, R McMurray. Subs: A McAllister, D Hyland, J Hanna, M Nicholson, S Knox.

Castlewellan II 2

Annalong Swifts 0

TOALS HARRY CLARKE CUP FINAL

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