Cross V Ballyholland Harps

On Sunday all roads led to West Belfast for our Ulster Minor Championship clash against Down champions, Ballyholland Harps.
Conditions were good for the game, dry with only a slight breeze.
We got to a dream start, the game only seconds old when Cían McConville had the ball in the back of the oppositions net. An Oisín Doyle point minutes later and with five gone on the clock we led 1-1 to no score.
Ballyholland got their opening scores, two points in quick succession to reduce our lead to two.
Both sides had missed chances before Ballyholland got a goal and for the first time in the match, they had the lead by the narrowest of margins. As the game entered the second quarter, points from Cían McConville and Odhran Kieran edged us in front once more. Our no 1, Stephen Morgan excelled in goals, pulling off a number of fantastic saves.
As the minutes ticked down to half time, points from Oisín Doyle and Cían McConville both from frees converted put three between the sides and seconds before the half time whistle blew, Ballyholland scored a point to leave the score at the break;
Cross 1-05 Ballyholland Harps 1-03
A Ballyholland point at the start of the second half brought it back to one point game before Oisín Doyle converted a free to stretch the lead to two. A super pass from Oisín Doyle to Odhran Kieran who was dragged down, saw us awarded a penalty. Cían struck it superbly to give him his second goal of the match and to strengthen our lead.
Ballyholland responded, two points in as minutes, (1,f) to leave three between the sides midway though the second half.
With ten left the clock, Ballyholland got their second goal to leave it 2-6 a piece but only for a short period of time, seconds later the ball was the opposite end of the field, a fantastic pass to James Teelan who scored our third goal but again, Ballyholland responded, two unanswered points and with five minutes left we were down to a one point game, nail biting stuff.

We finished the game very strong, three points one after another, Cian (2) and Odhran (1) helped to seal the victory and we booked our place in the final on New Years Day where we play either St Eunan’s or Bellaghy.

Well done to the entire squad on what was a fantastic all round team performance. Well done also to the management, Stephen Kernan & Thomas Cassidy & Peter McAllister (Backroom)

It was a brilliant entertaining game of football. Hard luck to Ballyholland and thanks very much for your good wishes for the final.

Good luck in the final lads.

Tickets cost £30 and would be an ideal Christmas present .

Please contact Paddy Kindlon or Tony Brady to purchasing tickets.