Stage set for derby clash

Stage set for derby clash

4 March 2015

CASTLEWELLAN weathered the perfect storm when they blew Ardglass Swifts off course in the second ClubSport NI Harry Clarke Cup semi-final at Bear Park on Saturday.

The Town will now meet Newcastle seconds in the showpiece final at Meadowvale, Drumaness, on Easter Monday

The biting, driving wind and incessant rain made this clash a game of roulette and those Ardglass players who had received all-over spray tans for their appearance in Ardglass GAC’s Strictly Come Dancing competition on Saturday night, were facing a touch-up job.

Both sides struggled early doors to get the ball on the deck, but it was Castlewellan who succeeded first and boy did it pay dividends. With six minutes gone Sean Russell took a short corner to Donal McKibben out on the right wing. 

McKibben had only one thing on his mind as he skipped past Michael Clarke and let fly from the edge of the box, with the ball zooming to the back of the net.

Two minutes later, McKibben played an intelligent ball down the left flank to Karol Jarosinski, who had found himself in acres of space behind David Armstrong. The pacy Pole sped into the box and put the ball on a plate for Stevie Trainor to make it 2-0.

Fair play to Ardglass. They rolled up their socks and led resolutely at the back by 44 year-old Barry Kearney, they closed Castlewellan down at every opportunity. 

Chances were hard to come by for Ardglass and Danny Cassidy, making a rare appearance for an understrength Town, had nothing to do for most of the half.

If anything, it was Castlewellan who looked the more likelier to score and Russell kept Ardglass goalkeeper Raymie O’Connor honest with two shots on target from distance.

Ardglass went desperately close in the 40th minute when Chris Armstrong got on the end of a beautifully weighted free kick from his brother David, but his header drifted wide with Cassidy in no man’s land.

Chris Armstrong had the first shot on target in the second half, but his effort from close in in the 46th minute was straight at a relieved Cassidy. Castlewellan slowly started to turn the screw and Jarosinski was perfectly placed to tuck away goal number three when a Russell shot came off the post and into his path.

The game was halted for a good seven minutes when Kearney and Jarosinski were involved in an accidental clash of heads. Unfortunately, Kearney came off much worse and had to be taken to hospital for treatment.

Castlewellan took full advantage of Ardglass having to reorganise and Trainor unselfishly played in Jarosinski to make it 4-0 in the 78th minute.

John Clarke, who had his usual efficient game at centre half, went close for the Town with a diving header and a sweeping move involving man of the match Jarosinski and Trainor ended with Donagh Steele blasting in goal number five.

Castlewellan: D. Cassidy, C. Burns, D. McKibben, A. Kelly, J. Clarke, S. Russell, L. Ward, S. Tierney, N. Toner, K. Jarosinski, S. Trainor. Subs: D. Steele, S. Fitzsimons, N. Travers, C. McAlinden.

Ardglass Swifts: R. O’Connor, D. Armstrong, M. Clarke, C. O’Connor, B. Kearney, S. Teggart, D. Murphy, S. P. Halpin, D. Maginn, K. O’Neill, C. Armstrong. Subs: H. McConkey, R. Crangle, S. Moore. 

ClubSport NI man of the match: Karol Jarosinski (Castlewellan).

Castlewellan 5

Ardglass Swifts 0

HARRY CLARKE CUP S-FINAL