Bhoys reach second cup final

COALISLAND Bhoys FC made the trip to Sherries Field in Armagh on Saturday to face Riverdale Reserves in the semi-final of the Division Two Cup.

The game was played in bright sunshine and Coalisland started well with Quinn latching onto a long ball over the top but his shot was high and wide. Coalisland continued to press and some poor finishing meant the game remained scoreless. M O’Neill in the Bhoys goal saved a goal bound volley well before pouncing on the second shot.

It was a good game of football for the neutral as Coalisland pressed for an opening goal and it duly arrived on 32 minutes. Magee fed the ball out wide to Campbell and his first time cross was met with a great header from J O’Neill that gave the keeper no chance. It was one way traffic now as Riverdale desperately cleared their lines on a few occasions.

On 43 minutes it was 2-0 as again Magee fed the same ball over the top on the right where this time G Sweeney raced away to the by line before cutting the ball back for Quinn to slam into the net.

Into the second half and Riverdale changed their shape and got some success from it pinning Coalisland back for long periods, some stout defending was required from a well drilled back four. Coalisland had lost their own shape and style for a while and maybe got a bit complacent but stern words from the side line addressed that.

Riverdale had the chance to get one back when a mix up between K Sweeney and M O’Neill in the Coalisland goal lead to the ball squirming around in the area but the keeper redeemed himself and grabbed the ball to stop the danger.

Coalisland at the other end were creating some great chances J O’Neill could have had his second but blasted over from close range while Graham had a chance and also shot over the bar.

Quinn was inches away from scoring and when Magees shot was parried out by the keeper to the feet of Gordon, the normally reliable striker managed to pull his shot wide with the goal open. Coalisland made a couple of changes bringing in Corr for Gordon and Murphy for Graham to freshen it up and the result was a third and winning goal. Again the ball down the right saw Corr pull back to J O’Neill and he wasn’t missing this time slotting home his second and Coalisland’s third to seal a place in the final.

This was a good solid team performance from the Bhoys and they deserved the win. M Campbell had a his best game for a while at right back while the midfield three of G Sweeney. G Graham and R Magee all played very well. J O’Neill grabbed two goals and O Gordon worked hard and should have had one or two himself. John Connolly was the Coalisland Man of the Match with a faultless display at left back.