Downpatrick prepare for Christmas sparkle

16 November 2016

DOWNPATRICK progressed to the final of this year’s Border Cup in impressive style after defeating last year’s nemesis, Immaculata, at Seaview.

Their opponents in the Christmas showpiece will be either Comber Rec or Rathfriland who meet in tonight’s second semi-final at the same venue.

Truth be told, if Downpatrick had taken all their chances, especially in the first half, the margin could have been far greater.

Even so, two goals from Jack McLaughlin and another from Philip Traynor proved enough to slay the reigning Amateur League champions.

Downpatrick started the game in a positive fashion and their direct, fast attacking style caused Immaculata all sorts of problems, their defence struggling to mark Downpatrick’s front trio of McLaughlin, Traynor and Stephen Galbraith.

The first chance of the game fell to Downpatrick. Galbraith was released down the left wing and his first-time cross was met by the marauding Ricky Kerr, whose shot was well saved. McLaughlin’s rebound was blocked by the Immaculata defence.

Immaculata broke down the right wing minutes later and the ball was played to the edge of the box for their striker to hit a shot which Michael McKenna comfortably saved. Downpatrick broke the deadlock on 17 minutes when Traynor was fouled out on the left wing and Barry Treacy’s free kick caused confusion in the box.

The ball was only partially cleared to the edge of the box to Traynor. The Downpatrick striker tried to control the ball but was closed down and the ball looped back over the ‘Mac’ defence. Kerr reacted quickest and as the keeper came out to close him down he passed the ball inside where McLaughlin had the simplest of tasks of heading into the empty net from five yards out.

Five minutes later, Downpatrick produced the move of the match which nearly resulted in the goal of the season.

McKenna gathered the ball from an Immaculata scuffed shot and rolled the ball out to the right back position to Treacy.

Treacy passed the ball inside to Kerr and the midfielder found Galbraith, who was out wide on the halfway line. The Downpatrick striker played the ball down the line to McLaughlin, whose first-time flick found Kerr who had continued his run.

Kerr beat the defender before producing the perfect cross into the box. Traynor attacked the ball, but agonisingly saw his header drift wide of the far post.

Downpatrick wasted a number of good chances before the game entered the 40th minute. Ricky Kerr picked up possession just inside his own half and tried to find Glabraith, but the ball was cut out.

The Immaculata defender scuffed his clearance and Galbraith played the ball through for McLaughlin, who had beaten the offside trap. The young striker drew the keeper out before coolly slotting the ball past him low into the net for his and Downpatrick’s second. Half time: Downpatrick FC 2 v Immaculata FC 0

Both teams had plenty of possession at the beginning of the second half but couldn’t create any clear-cut chances until Downpatrick scored their third on the hour mark.

The move began when Aaron McGarry cut out a forward pass by Immaculata in the left back position and played a one-two with Kerr before passing the ball into midfield for McLaughlin.

The striker attacked the space in front of him, running 30 yards before passing to Traynor, who jinked one way before another creating a yard of space to curl a delightful shot from the edge of the box into the right corner of the net past the Immaculata keeper who was rooted to the spot.

Minutes later, influential midfielder Andy Baggley suffered an innocuous looking injury and had to be replaced by Tony McIlhone. The change in personnel caused Downpatrick to alter their formation and this allowed Immaculata to come back into the game.

With 20 minutes remaining they got their goal when Padraig Adams shot home from six yards.

Immaculata sensed that they had an opportunity to get back into the game and started to pile on the pressure.

They created a number of chances but couldn’t find that killer touch. On one occasion a free kick was whipped into the box and Mark Holland watched on as his attempted clearance looked to be going into the back of his own net only for McKenna to dive full length and push the ball away for an unbelievable save.

Immaculata’s chance ended when one of their players was shown a second yellow card with five minutes to go, allowing Downpatrick to see out the remainder of the game comfortably to advance to the Christmas showpiece.

Downpatrick: M McKenna, N Taggart, M Holland, M Carson, R Kerr, A Baggley, B Treacy, J McLaughlin, S Galbraith, P Traynor, A McGarry. Subs: C Holland, C McCarron, T McIlhone.

Downpatrick FC 3

Immaculata 1

BORDER CUP SEMI-FINAL

Tweets by @TheDownRecorder