Rovers into Dalzell Cup showdown

17 December 2014

THERE was no Christmas cheer for Rossglass at Bear Park on Saturday when Mourne Rovers powered their way to their second consecutive Bobby Dalzell Cup final.

Rossglass gave it their best shot and ran themselves to a standstill, but Rovers had too many big players in key areas of the field and they eased to a comfortable win, despite the look of the scoreline.

Philip Campbell’s side made a game of it when they grabbed a sixth minute lead. A John Thompson corner wasn’t cleared by a sleepy Rovers defence and Eamon Vaughan pounced to lash the ball past a helpless Brendan McVeigh, game on.

Alas, Rossglass’ lead lasted just four minutes as Rovers didn’t take long to get back on level terms. Mark Trimble played the ball out wide left to the lurking Connaire Harrison and he only had one thing on his mind as he flew past Sean Trainor.

Harrison’s power and pace left him clear in the box and a clinker of a finish beat Ross Preece all ends up at his near post.

Nine minutes later the elegant Ruairi Doran deserted his sweeper’s role and pushed forward into attack, but he missed a great chance from close in after a good build up.

With 24 minutes gone Preece saved well from Ryan Kelly as Rovers started to turn the screw and two minutes later their pressure paid off. Harrison deftly played in Trimble and when he was bundled over by Trainor, referee Dee Laverty had no option bit to point to the spot.

Harrison duly made it 2-1 with a well placed spot kick.

Five minutes before the break Chris Grieves played a delightful through ball into the path of Thompson, who was playing on the last man, but he was denied an equaliser by a good save from McVeigh.

It looked as if the score would remain at 2-1 until the break, but right on the stroke of half-time Preece ped a Kelly corner into the path of Sean McManus and he wasted no time in blasting Rovers into a 3-1 lead.

Rossglass went for broke at the break and brought on Joe D. Baggley for Trainor and B. J. Montgomery for Cormac McLaughlin, but it was Rovers who still looked the more dangerous and Harrison missed a glorious opportunity in the 48th minute.

Preece then denied Harrison with a good save and three minutes later Harrison was way off target after a piercing run had taken him clear. With 60 minutes gone Harrison was again released by McManus, but he lost control of the ball as he entered the box and the chance was gone.

Harrison then turned provider when he squared the ball for McManus, but Preece saved the day for Rossglass.

The big ‘keeper then saved bravely from Kelly as Rovers looked to kill the game off, but it was Rossglass who were to have the last word.

The game was in added time and Rovers going through the motions, when Chris Hamilton won the ball in the middle and gave Thompson the chance to score and give him just reward for all his endeavours and make it 3-2.

Mourne Rovers: B. McVeigh, C. O’Hare, N. McArdle, R. Doran, R. Clarke, R. Clerkin, N. Doran, S. McManus, M. Trimble, C. Harrison, R. Kelly. Subs: C. Burden, J. Carroll, D. Sherry, R. Sloan, M. Hughes.

Rossglass County: R. Preece, S. Trainor, R. Tumelty, B. Mageean, C. Grieves, G. Rooney, S. Deegan, C. McLaughlin, E. Vaughan, R. Brannigan, J. Thompson. Subs: G. Grant, J. Baggley, B. J. Montgomery, G. Smyth, C. Hamilton.

ClubSport NI Man of the match: Connaire Harrison (Mourne Rovers).

Mourne Rovers 3

Rossglass County 2

BOBBY DALZELL CUP SEMI-FINAL

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