Strangford in shoot-out win

Strangford in shoot-out win

1 January 2025

STRANGFORD held their nerve to clinch the Bobby Dalzell Cup with a penalty shoot-out victory over Drumaness Mills Reserves in what turned out to be a Boxing Day cracker in Crossgar.

There was nothing to separate the two sides after 90 minutes after John Polley’s opener was cancelled out by a late penalty from Mills captain Sean McQuoid.

Extra-time could not decide the match and it was Strangford who came through in the shoot-out.

The opening exchanges pointed towards the Mills dominating the clash and it still remains to be seen how they did not take advantage.

Their first chance came as early as two minutes in, with Rory McQuoid cutting inside and unleashing a powerful strike, only to be denied by the upright.

It did not take long for them to come back firing, finding their second opportunity when Rory McQuoid’s long ball found Jamie Morgan.

He latched on to the precise pass and although he found himself unmarked, he scuffed his shot on the half-volley.

Strangford were at sixes and sevens and Drumaness again came close to making them pay after just seven minutes.

Gavin McEvoy met a loose ball in the box and took aim from close range, but Polley displayed heroics to block on the goal-line.

Strangford were under serious pressure and it looked as though they were dealt another blow when star player Jack Fitzsimons was forced to withdraw.

He was replaced by the returning James Mahoney, who had been in the United States for three months, and this substitution changed the game.

Mahoney was immediately involved as he beat his man and whipped a shot narrowly wide of the goal.

The winger earned his salt at the other end minutes later, getting back to acrobatically clear a powerful Steven Rogan header off the line.

The final chance of the half came the way of Strangford, who seemed to be growing into the match.

Thomas Fitzsimons played a sumptuous ball into the box to pick out Aodhan Harney, but he got under the ball and headed wide.

Drumaness started the second half in the same fast-paced fashion as they did the first, and were left baffled as to how they had not found the net.

Morgan was inches away from scoring the goal of the season with an audacious attempt that looked destined for the top corner, but as the crowd roared in excitement his volley sailed just wide.

They were denied once again when Strangford goalkeeper Cathal Kinsella pulled off an astonishing double-save to deny Morgan and Sean McQuoid.

That seemed to spring Strangford back into life and against the run of play Polley rose above the rest to power a header past Drumaness ‘keeper Steven Keenan.

Momentum was now in their favour and they soon came close to a second when Eoin Kelly beat the Mills defenders to the ball, only to be stopped by a crucial, heart-racing slide tackle from Keenan.

The action petered out after that and while it looked as though Strangford would hold on for tight 1-0 win, Stephen Boyd’s men were determined to have their say.

Drumaness were awarded a penalty in the 81st minute when Daniel Bell was brought down and skipper McQuoid made no mistake in finding the bottom corner.

Ninety minutes could not determine a winner and while an extra 20 minutes was exciting in prospect, both sets of players were noticeably leggy.

The only clear-cut chance of extra-time came the way of Strangford, but despite Kelly being presented a one-on-one opportunity, he scuffed his shot and could only find the post.

Ultimately, penalties would be required to claim the coveted trophy.

Someone has to display the courage to go first in such a high stakes shoot-out and the first two takers, Sean McQuoid and Fionn McFall, calmly slotted home.

Bell showed a touch of class as he stuttered with his run-up and sent the ‘keeper the wrong way to give Drumaness the advantage.

Keenan got his hands to Eoin Watterson’s shot, but it had too much power for him and Strangford were level.

Sean Og Kelly and Rory Reilly were the next two successful penalty takers and ensured an even score.

James McGivern watched on as Kennan plucked his attempt out of the top corner and with Mahoney converting, all pressure was on Drumaness. 

Their hopes rested on Rory Deegan and as he attempted to power past Keenan, he could only find the crossbar.

The crowd erupted as Strangford claimed their first silverware of the season and with this momentous win behind them, they will now look to push on towards the Newcastle League Premier Division title.

Strangford: C Kinsella, T Fitzsimons, F McFall, J Polley, P Donnelly, A Harney, R Reilly, S Teggart, C Fitzsimmons (captain), E Kelly, J Fitzsimons.

Subs: O Curran, J Mahoney, S McGrattan, E Watterson, C Magee.

Drumaness: S Keenan, R Deegan, J Murdock, T McConville, D Bell, G McEvoy, S McQuoid (captain), J Morgan, R McQuoid, S Kelly, S Rogan.

Subs: S Curran, P Rogan, J McGivern, O Gormley, L Soar.

Man of the match: James Mahoney.