Cup finals at Christmas

Cup finals at Christmas

21 December 2016

LOCAL football fans are in for a festive feast of cup final football.

The action kicks off on Christmas Eve when Dundela take on Linfield Swifts in the Steel & Sons Cup final at Seaview, Belfast. 

There is a chance to rest on Christmas Day before holders Annalong Swifts put the Bobby Dalzell Cup on the line when they face Newcastle Swifts at Meadowvale, Drumaness.

Twenty-four hours later it’s back to Seaview where Downpatrick hope to break their cup final jinx when they play Rathfriland Rangers in the Amateur league’s showpiece Border Cup final.

The Steel and Sons Cup final, traditionally played on Christmas morning, has been switched this year because of Christmas falling on Sunday, may not have any local teams in it, but there is still a lot of interest in the prestigious final.

Former Killyleagh YC defender Stevie Gourley is joint manager of Dundela and he brought Downpatrick’s Thomas Healey into the squad earlier in the year.

Healey is a big, strong versatile player who can play in the middle of the back four or in midfield, is pretty used to big games as he led Linfield Swifts to Harry Cavan Youth Cup glory three years ago.

Local involvement doesn’t end there as Ballynahinch teenager Reece Neale plays at left back for the Swifts where he has caught the eye of first team manager David Healy.

The Swifts beat both Drumaness Mills and Kilmore Rec on the way to the final, but they will have to be at their best — and then some — to get the better of an experienced and well organised Dundela.

On Boxing Day, Annalong will start as favourites to retain the Bobby Dalzell Cup at Meadowvale.

Alan Henning’s side, who overcame Celtic Bhoys in the semi-finals on penalties, are a hard working unit, bristling with potential match winners.

Stevie Burden, Jonathan Gilchrist, Ryan McMurray and Leslie Maybin are all seasoned campaigners and know what it takes to win big games.

Newcastle Swifts, who beat arch rivals Tollymore United in their semi-final, are also a well balanced side who will be extremely hard to beat and Annalong must be wary of the threat posed by Conor Gribben and James Magee.

All roads the following day lead back to Seaview where Downpatrick FC, who beat Immaculata in the semi-final, play Rathfriland Rangers, who edged out Comber Rec to secure their place, in the Border Cup showdown. 

Seaview has not been a happy hunting ground for Downpatrick in recent years — they have lost Junior Shield, Steel and Sons Cup and Border Cup finals there.

Team mentors are calling for a return of the spirit of 1976 when Downpatrick Rec lifted the trophy after victory over Ards Rangers at the same venue.

Rathfriland, who have yet to win the trophy, lost the 2012 final to Crumlin Star and their ‘Galacticos’ will want to create club history by getting their hands on the famous trophy.

Unfortunately, Downpatrick go into the final without the influential Barry Treacy, who broke his leg at the end of November, and quite possibly influential midfielder Andy Baggley and former Glentoran and Cliftonville defender Barry Holland, who has missed quite a bit of recent action due to work commitments.

Otherwise, managers Joe McMahon and Kevin Trueman have a full squad to choose from and they are spoiled for choice.

They have competition for every place on the team and selecting a starting XI to win the cup will be their hardest job.