‘Locky’ saves day for hungry Bears

26 February 2020

TOLLYMORE ‘keeper Lochlainn ‘Locky’ Leneghan was the hero at Bear Park on Saturday when Tollymore United reached the Beckett Cup final for the first time.

The talented custodian saved three of Albion’s spot kicks in a 3-2 shoot-out victory after the game had finished 2-2.

United have failed to beat the Moira men in their last three appearances, and while it may have taken the Bears spot kicks to overcome the Villagers, they were well worth the win.

The Bears were not as fluent as they were in the quarter-final, but almost opened the scoring in the first minute when Jack McCourt was sent tumbling to the ground, but the referee waved away the penalty appeals.

Moira responded positively and Jordan McKnight fired a shot wide over the Tollymore upright. However, McKnight was not to be denied and in the seventh minute he dispossessed Corey Laverty and hit a shot that squirmed through Leneghan’s hands and into the net.

Albion had barely time to celebrate as, virtually from the restart, Tollymore won a free kick that was delivered into the box, by McLister, for Ruairi Toner to shoot into the net.

United slowly began to take a stranglehold in midfield with Marty McCourt and Tommy Kane dominating Burke and Rooney. On the left wing, Marty Devlin was giving the Albion defence a torrid time with his pace and power.Just on the stroke of half-time Albion’s Ryan Beckett fired a free kick over the Bears’ crossbar.

Despite having wind advantage, Tollymore were unable to create any chances of note and they were rocked in the 59th minute when Albion centre half Allan Cousins found himself unmarked in the Tollymore area to head a corner kick past Leneghan.

Despite this setback, Tollymore held their nerve and Jack McCourt and Matt McCormick linked up for McCourt to run through on goal. Unfortunately, Albion ‘keeper Joel Collins made a superb finger tip save to block McCourt’s shot.

United were well on top, but were lacking the guile to open up the Moira defence until the introduction of veteran striker Adrian ‘Sparky’ Howard.

Within moments of Howard’s arrival in the 71st minute he got on the end of a McLister flick to shoot past Collins in the Albion goal.

It was now all Tollymore as the Bears pushed for a winner and Albion were reduced to ten-men after Darryl Irwin was dismissed for a cynical foul on Marty Devlin as the striker burst through on goal, after being put clear by Tommy Kane.

Virtually on the stroke of full time, Corey Laverty picked out Howard with a superb pass only for Collins to make another excellent save. Extra time saw Tollymore playing with the wind and forcing a succession of corners that Albion did well to defend.

Albion seemed content to play for penalty kicks and it was only in the last couple of minutes of the game that they came out of their defensive shell, but were unable to penetrate a resolute Tollymore defence.

Albion netted their first penalty with Marty McCourt equalising and then the fun started. Leneghan saved the second spot kick and Albion’s Joel Collins then blocked Corey Laverty’s effort to keep things level at 1-1. Leneghan then saved the third Albion kick before Marty Devlin scored to nudge the Bears in front at 2-1.

The Moira men levelled things with a cracking penalty leaving United with two more penalties to win. Unfortunately, Howard shot wide to leave the scores 2-2 and one penalty apiece left.

Once again Leneghan made an unbelievable save to hand the initiative to United and Adam Rea stepped up to blast the ball into the net to send United into the final.

Match sponsor: Diamond Pats, Newcastle.

Tollymore United 5

Moira Albion 4

MID ULSTER LEAGUE CUP S/FINAL

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