Magee is on the mark in cup final rehearsal

Magee is on the mark in cup final rehearsal

20 December 2023

WHAT could be seen as a preview of the Bobby Dalzell Cup Final on Boxing Day ended in victory for Ardglass.

With Ardglass looking to maintain their unbeaten league run and Downpatrick sitting in fourth place, it was always going to be a close match and it ended with only a goal between them.

Ardglass had the first chance of the game in the twelfth minute when Jamie McDarby’s curling corner found Michael Magee, whose header was punched away by Downpatrick’s goalkeeper, Ruairi Murphy.

Downpatrick started to settle and Anthony Carson had a chance two minutes later when a poor pass back by Ardglass presented an opportunity, but Martin Halpin recovered to clear the danger.

An Aidan Watson free kick for Ardglass in the 18th minute  came off the wall to Matthew Rooney, whose rebound shot on target was well handled by Murphy.

The only goal of the match came in the 37th minute when Malachy Crangle took a quick throw-in. Morgan Fitzpatrick went up for it, but the ball landed at the feet of Magee who did not hesitate to slot into the net.

Downpatrick had a good chance to level two minutes before half time when Nathan McAlister’s strike on target was cleared by Crangle.

Downpatrick cranked up the pressure in the second half, but could not break through the Ardglass back line.

Magee had an early chance when a free kick over the wall made Murphy stretch and push over the bar for a corner. McDarby came close six minutes later with a shot on target.

Ardglass’s second goal looked to be coming in the 68th minute when Ryan McKinney tore up the left side and delivered a cross into the box, which Shea Dorrian just couldn’t reach.

Downpatrick responded immediately with McAlister finding Nathan McShane, whose shot was well saved by Crangle, who was in fine form. An Ardglass attack four minutes later ended with McDarby’s shot crashing off a post.

Downpatrick were again saved by the woodwork two minutes from time when Watson’s strike from outside the box hit the crossbar. Magee followed up, but the ball went wide.

Ardglass: J Crangle, M Crangle, M Halpin, C Mahon, S Dorrian, R McKinney, A Watson, J McDarby, M Magee, K O’Neill, M Rooney. Subs: O Curran, J Beattie, M Clarke.

Downpatrick: R Murphy, R Cassidy, M Fitzpatrick, S Holland, C Farrell, S Duggan, A Carson, N McShane, J Montgomery, D Kelly, N McAlister. Subs: A McCoubrey, S Conway, A McCoubrey.

Ardglass 1

Downpatrick 0

NEWCASTLE LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION