Majestic Magee cracker kills off brave Islanders

Majestic Magee cracker kills off brave Islanders

15 January 2014

PORTAFERRY put the misery of losing two cup finals as an U-12 team last year well behind them when they just pipped Coney Island in an intriguing DYFL U-13 League Cup showdown.

The Ports inflicted heartbreak on a game Coney Island side that contained six of their U-12 squad beaten in last week’s final in Newcastle by their Portaferry counterparts.

This game was played at a frenetic pace throughout and Portaferry’s Rory Trainor almost snatched an early lead for his side in the third minute, but he was millimetres away from opening the scoring.

Portaferry continued to push hard with Sam McKeown, Curtis Smyth, John Magee and Oistin Devlin all in attacking mode and it took some clever defending from the imperious Sean Og Burns, Eamon Gargan, Jamie McDarby, Stuart Kahla and Jack Zych to keep the Ports scoreless.

All that changed, however, after eight minutes when Portaferry struck gold. Trainor drifted wide to receive a ball from Morgan Smyth and intelligently played it square to John Magee, who had bombed forward from the middle of the park.

The Portaferry playmaker still had a lot to do, but he showed immense composure to evade two tackles inside the box before beating the luckless James Crangle with an exquisite finish.

Coney Island now had a mountain to climb, but they surely gave it a go. Inspired by the diligence of Ben McLaughlin, Cillian Burns, one of three brothers in the team, grandsons of former Downpatrick Rec and Downshire Hospital legend Joe Cullen, Rory Deegan and James McConkey, Coney Island laid siege to the Portaferry goal.

Lee Murphy and Deegan worked their socks off in a bid to get round or past a stubborn Portaferry defence, but they continually hit a brick wall in the shape of Jack Mageean, Eoghan Doran, Ryan Convery and Ronan Smyth.

This resolute Portaferry back four simply refused to budge and Coney Island were restricted to trying all sorts of permutations in a bid to create chances, but that was easier said than done.

The second half saw Coney Island continue to attack at will, but their luck just wasn’t in. Midway in, Deegan’s pace took him clear of a for once static back four who were waiting for an offside call that didn’t come. Deegan looked certain to score until Portaferry ‘keeper Oran Young raced from his line and took one for his team when he brought the Coney Island talisman down just outside the box.

The young custodian was promptly red carded for his troubles, but his actions saved the day for Portaferry as the resultant free kick was cleared.

Coney Island now had a numerical advantage, but they were unable to make it count as a stubborn Portaferry held on to collect the sweet taste of victory after two heart breaking defeats last season.

Portaferry: Oran Young, Jack Mageean, Eoghan Doran, Ryan Convery, Ronan Smyth, Sam McKeown, Curtis Smyth, John Magee, Morgan Smyth, Rory Trainor, OIstin Devlin. Subs: Ciaran Savage, Thomas Smyth, Owen McMaster.

Coney Island: James Crangle, Eamon Gargan, Jamie McDarby, Sean Og Burns, Stuart Kahla, Jack Zych, Ben McLaughlin, Cillian Burns, Rory Deegan, Lee Murphy, James McConkey. Subs: Ryan Burns, Dylan Addis, Eamon Doyle, Ciaran Glennon.

• Man of the match: Eoghan Doran (Portaferry).