Rory nets at the death for Mills in Dalzell last 4

Rory nets at the death for Mills in Dalzell last 4

6 November 2024

DRUMANESS Mills Reserves sealed their place in the final of the Bobby Dalzell Cup with a dramatic win over Ballynagross in extra time.

The two sides met under the floodlights at Kilmore’s Robert Adams Park on Friday night, but it was Mills who were shining brightest in the end.

Stephen Boyd’s team were lucky to not find themselves behind as Ballynagross missed a host of chances in the second half, but got the job done just three minutes into extra time as Rory McQuoid did what his opponents could not.

Spectators remained largely on their seats throughout the first half as both sides found chances hard to come by despite an end-to-end start to proceedings.

The opposing midfields were attempting long balls over the top, but frustratingly, much of the play was easily cut out by the defenders or comfortably gathered by the two goalkeepers.

Ballynagross had their heads in their hands after 27 minutes when Oran Cunningham cut the ball back, leaving his marker on the ground, but with a clear path to goal, he slipped when it mattered most.

The first stand-out chance of the match went the way of Drumaness just a minute later when Steven Rogan found himself unmarked at the back post.

He met the end of Oran Gormley’s long ball and as he attempted to hook the ball into the net, his effort was palmed away by Cathail Arnold.

Mills should have had the lead, but were not disheartened and went gunning forward again almost immediately when Rogan was denied by Arnold once more.

They seemed to have grabbed control of the game and this time they were mere inches away as Jamie Morgan curled one towards the bottom corner in what would be the final chance of the half.

The match turned on its head at the beginning of the second period and it was Ballynagross’ turn to push for an opener.

Captain Daniel Taggart – who was a threat in the air all night – rose above everyone and saw his headed effort go wide of the post by the most minimal of margins.

Minutes later, Taggart was agonisingly close once again, rattling the crossbar with a powerful header from Cunningham’s free kick.

The Ballynagross talisman was determined to drag his side over the line and this time he looked to turn provider, knocking the ball down to Cunningham, who unleashed a ferocious volley that was well saved.

Mills had been seriously under the cosh and as they looked to play their way back into the game, they missed two absolute sitters.

McQuoid got in behind the defence and with only the ‘keeper to beat he could only find the post from a few yards out.

Then, on the 60-minute mark, Gavin McEvoy put one on a plate for Morgan who headed straight at Arnold for simple catch.

Ballynagross would come close four minutes later with what turned out to be the final clear-cut chance of normal time.

Again it was a Taggart header, but his effort was swept off the line by Rory Deegan.

Extra time it was, and Ballynagross were the side left to rue their wasted efforts when Drumaness snatched victory and a place in the final in the 93rd minute.

Substitute Rory Mason stole the ball away from a defender, who was caught sleeping, and when he picked out McQuoid with a well-placed cross, the winger fired home from close range.

Mills kept their opponents at bay for the remainder of play and came close to a second in the dying moments through Rogan, whose effort was caught by Arnold.

Drumaness Mills Reserves will now have their eyes on the Boxing Day final, but will have to wait until this Friday night to discover if Ardglass or Strangford will be their opponents.