A SWASHBUCKLING Olympic side weathered a Rovers’ storm in a frenetic, but seriously entertaining NFU Mutual Bobby Dalzell Cup semi-final on a bitterly cold Friday night at Binnian Park.
It was a rollercoaster ride for Olympic in one of the best semi-finals in years as they soaked up some serious pressure and then hit a helpless Mourne Rovers on the break, time after time.
Sean Clarke’s side started on the front foot and never took a backward step all night, but their defending left a lot to be desired.
Olympic goalkeeper John McMenamin was early into the action and with four minutes gone he saved well from Daniel Sloan.
Four minutes later at the other end, Olympic had a penalty shout when a deep free kick from Daryl Russell hit Conor Sloan on the upper arm, but referee Barry Mullan ignored appeals for a penalty, rightly so.
Connaire Harrison and Cormac Poland were enjoying loads of possession in the middle of the park for Rovers and with 13 minutes gone they engineered a sweeping move that should have brought the first goal.
The ball was played wide right to Ryan Doran and he immediately released Michael Ireland into space. The speed of the attack had caught Olympic flat-footed at the back and Ireland, with the goal at his mercy, unselfishly squared the ball to Kyle Morris in a better position.
Alas, Morris’ effort went the aerial route and went over the top, via the crossbar — a costly miss.
Rovers continued to dominate proceedings, but then shot themselves in the foot after 23 minutes. They dithered at the back when asked to clear a Jack Roddy free kick and the predatory Aaron McCaffrey was on hand to steer Olympic into the lead.
Ireland tried to get Rovers going again, but he was continually thwarted by Niall McGlew and Reece McConnell, but they wouldn’t keep the dangerman quiet for too much longer.
With 33 minutes played Harrison spread a delightful pass out to Daniel Sloan. He immediately surged into the box and put the ball a plate for Ireland to make it 1-1.
Seven minutes later Ireland latched on to a long clearance from Ronan McDowell, but was off target and just before the break Conor Sloan headed an Ireland corner wide from a great position.
The second half was barely 20 seconds old when Olympic regained the lead. Man of the match Lyons found room out on the left flank, left two defenders for dead and drilled a low effort past McDowell to make it 2-1. Olympic now had the bit between their teeth and Lyons had two more efforts go close, one saved and the other went wide.
However, with 54 minutes gone an under siege Rovers countered and Morris did the spadework before Ireland made it 2-2.
Seven minutes later Lyons scored from close range after McCaffrey had created the opening as Olympic again struck on the break, but their joy was short lived.
With 71 minutes gone a searing run down the right flank by Ireland saw him cross for Daniel Sloan to make it 3-3.
It was anybody’s game at this stage, but Olympic seized the moment and seven minutes later John Fennell popped up in the box, when least expected, to beat McDowell all ends up with a clinical finish.
Olympic know how to close a game out and did so superbly to cement their place in the Bobby Dalzell Cup final for the third year in succession.
Ballynahinch Olympic: John McMenamin, Jack Roddy, Daryl Russell, Reece McConnell, Niall McGlew, Simon Marmion, Shane Rodgers, Thomas Rodgers, Aaron McCaffrey, Darren Lyons, Josh Fennell. Subs: Steven King, Daniel Rice, Gary Wilson, Andrew York, Desmond Maxwell.
Mourne Rovers: Ronan McDowell, Ryan Doran, Marty McGrath, Mark Trimble, Conor Sloan, Cormac Poland, Daniel Sloan, Ronan Harrison, Kyle Morris, Michael Ireland, Conor Shields. Subs: Ryan Clerkin, Richard McAteer, Barry Doran, Rory Cunningham, Aidan O’Hanlon.
Ballynahinch Olympic Town 4
Mourne Rovers 3
BOBBY DALZELL CUP SEMI-FINAL