Late penalty seals cup win

Late penalty seals cup win

3 January 2024

ARDGLASS captured the Bobby Dalzell Cup for the first time in nearly four decades following a titanic tussle with Downpatrick at Drumaness on Boxing Day.

A pulsating back and forth encounter was eventually decided in extra-time, as Shea Dorrian slotted home from the penalty spot to finally put a courageous and youthful Downpatrick outfit to bed.

Downpatrick captain Adrian McCoubrey had initially gave his side the lead from a glancing header midway through the first half before Jordan Finnegan levelled for the village team just ten minutes later.

Ardglass came firing out of the blocks after the interval and were soon in front when danger man Michael Magee made use of his towering stature to head home from close range.

With their backs against the wall, Downpatrick refused to give up and were rewarded on the 89th minute when Shea Holland’s initially saved strike cannoned off Ardglass defender Malachy Crangle and into his own net.

Despite tiring legs, the drama was still to continue beyond the regulated 90 minutes with three further goals in extra-time treating the large crowd who had made the trip.

Ardglass started quickest and for the opening 20 minutes they enjoyed the lion’s share of possession.

Owen Curran proved tricky to deal with on the left flank while team-mates Matthew Rooney and Aidan Watson marshalled the midfield area.

However, Downpatrick always looked a threat on the break due to the pace within their ranks and they had managed to weather an early battering Ardglass storm.

With 26 minutes on the clock, Downpatrick landed the first blow when Josh Montgomery’s corner was headed inside the near post by skipper Adrian McCoubrey.

This, in turn, let Ardglass know that Downpatrick weren’t there to just make up the numbers.

The Ardglass response was swift and they soon drew level when striker Magee passed out wide to Curran, whose cross into the box was side-footed, at the first time of asking, into the Downpatrick net by Jordan Finnegan.

Downpatrick were then dealt another unfortunate hand when Andrew McCoubrey, who had been impressive for his team, found himself sandwiched between two Ardglass tackles as all three players raced to retain possession.

This would prove to be an injury that the striker could not shake off.

The game remained 1-1 until the break but it wouldn’t be long until Ardglass poked their noses in front.

A hopeful pass over the Downpatrick defence turned into a real danger when Nathan McShane lost his footing and allowed Ardglass striker Magee to barrel down on goal.

His momentum was halted, however, when Downpatrick substitute Morgan Fitzpatrick was adjudged to have unfairly reclaimed possession.

This resulted in a free-kick which man of the match Aidan Watson delivered onto the head of Magee, who made no mistake with his finish.

Ardglass threatened to add a killer third goal within the next 15 minutes of play, with Downpatrick ‘keeper Ruairi Murphy springing into action to save his side on a few occasions.

Near misses and close chances followed but Ardglass couldn’t find the net again and with 20 minutes to go Downpatrick found another gear.

Ardglass looked fatigued and Downpatrick smelt blood. They went on the attack and came close numerous times, with opportunities falling to both Nathan McShane and substitute Dylan Kelly.

The clock was furiously ticking down and with 89 minutes played Downpatrick were afforded one last roll of the dice and with this they came up trumps.

Montgomery’s delicate pass allowed team-mate Holland to get his shot away but Ardglass custodian Crangle did well to initially save, however, the ball quickly bounced off defender Malachy Crangle and into the net for an own goal.

This sent the tie to extra-time and the momentum was with Downpatrick, although it would be Ardglass who would once again take the lead.

Just four minutes into extra-time, Ardglass captain Caolain O’Shea headed in a corner kick to spark life back into his team.

Downpatrick, in keeping with the theme of the contest, just wouldn’t go away and managed to equalise before the half-time whistle as Nathan McAlister raced in front of his marker and – similar to O’Shea – headed in a corner kick delivery in reply.

With tensions at boiling point and five minutes remaining before the dreaded penalty shoot-out, Ardglass winger Jamie McDarby pulled off a moment of magic and danced his way past three Downpatrick players before he was deemed to be fouled inside the box, with a penalty awarded.

This decision was largely disputed by the Downpatrick outfit but that didn’t stop Ardglass substitute Shea Dorrian from cooly dispatching his effort into the bottom right corner to seal an exhausting, energy zapping cup win.

Following the dramatic conclusion, Ardglass joint manager Aaron Beattie reflected on his team’s momentous victory.

“That was a rollercoaster of a game,” he said.

“Downpatrick, fair play to them, a young side who just kept coming back at us but we got the job done in the end and it’s just more of a relief than anything.

“A lot of people were saying to us that we were favourites being a big, experienced side but we knew Downpatrick were more than capable,” he continued.

“We played them a few weeks ago in the league and won 1-0 in Ardglass but they had a few chances and could have nicked the draw, however, today was always going to be a different day because anything can happen in finals.”

He added: “I’m just really, really glad we got over the line.”

Ardglass: J Crangle, M Crangle, C Mahon, C O’Shea (capt), O Curran, J McDarby, A Watson, J Finnegan, M Magee, J Beattie, M Rooney.

Subs: R McKinney, J Telford, M Harpin, M Clarke, S Dorrian.

Downpatrick: R Murphy, R Cassidy, N McShane, S Holland, C Farrell, A McCoubrey (capt), N McAlister, J Montgomery, S Duggan, A McCoubrey, A Carson.

Subs: M Fitzpatrick, B Treacy, D Kelly, C Moore, J Harding.