Holders through

Holders through

12 December 2012

CASTLEWELLAN overcame a spirited challenge from Mourne Rovers at a bitingly cold and blustery Bear Park to secure their place in the final against Ballyvea and remain on course for three-in-a-row.

However, the holders were taken to the wire by Rovers and it took two late goals, deep into the second period of extra-time to settle this affair that seemed destined for a penalty shoot-out.

The Town, even without the injured Dean Anderson, were quickly into their stride and Paddy Keown glanced a Barry Travers (inset) cross wide after only three minutes. A sign of things to come?

Three minutes later the nifty Liam McKibben waltzed past Ciaran O’Hare, but then shot weakly wide with his wrong foot after doing all the hard work. Sean Russell also shot wide from a good position as Castlewellan started to turn the screw.

Rovers held firm and they started getting more involved in midfield with Stephen Doran and Paul Grant more than holding their own. Castlewellan, with the wind in their backs, continued to create chances and with 28 minutes gone Colm Flanagan crossed for Keown, but his header was brilliantly saved by Ronan McDowell.

Ten minutes later Donagh Steele fired the ball into the box, but Rovers somehow managed to clear the danger before Keown could pounce as the first half ended scoreless, advantage Rovers?

Afraid not. Castlewellan went on the offensive from the whistle at the start of the second half and McKibben got the better of Colly Burden out on the right flank before crossing for Keown to head home.

Rovers now had a mountain to climb, but climb it they did. They played some lovely one-touch football as they laid siege to the Castlewellan area, but chances were hard to come by and it was Castlewellan who nearly scored again.

With 56 minutes gone McDowell denied McKibben after Keown put him clear and 10 minutes later Russell blazed over the bar after McKibben had done the spade work.

Rovers patiently clawed their way back and with 70 minutes gone Michael Ireland pierced the Town defence, but shot wide and three minutes later his cross from the left begged to be put away, but there was nobody at home.

Michael Watson, who is still the best in the business, then came into a class of his own, saving from O’Hare, before he was eventually beaten by a screamer from Doran who let one fly from 25 yards out in the 88th minute to send the game to extra-time.

The first period passed off without incident and the second was heading the same way until Castlewellan got lucky.

Stevie Trainor fired a free into the box that McDowell failed to deal with. The ball struck Keown on the side of the face and looped into the net to put the Town back in front with five minutes remaining.

Rovers pushed and pushed for the equaliser, but were caught short at the back and Trainor dispossessed McDowell, who was way outside his box, and calmly rolled the ball home for the killer goal.

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

Mourne Rovers: R. McDowell, R. Doran, M. Trimble, R. Clarke, C. O’Hare, C. Burden, S. Doran, P. Grant, M. Ireland, R. O’Hare, R. Clerkin. J. Carroll, R, McCullough, C. McDowell.

Castlewellan 3

Mourne Rovers 1

BOBBY DALZELL CUP SEMI-FINAL