Holders Laurelhill survive drama filled semi-final

LAURELHILL Community College will proudly represent Lisburn in the Umbro NI Senior Cup Final against St. Columbs on April 6 at Ballymena Showgrounds after a thrilling semi final win over Banbridge Academy. This will be the college’s second consecutive final appearance in the oldest and largest schools’ football competition in Northern Ireland having started in 1925.

On Tuesday Laurelhill kicked off in their semi final at Windsor Park with 200 supporters in attendance. Gary Pallister, Manchester United legend, gave a pep talk to the team in the dressing room before the match.

The Lisburn outfit settled quickly and earned an early free kick just outside the Banbridge danger zone. Matty Parker swung the ball over and Philip Magee headed narrowly wide.

However, despite concerted pressure, Laurelhill were not able to grab that elusive goal and had to thank goalkeeper Robbie Kirkwood for keeping the opposition at bay when he saved a rasping shot from a Banbridge striker who had successfully sprung the Laurelhill offside trap.

Banbridge could feel a foothold in the game and central midfielder Matthew Geddis and winger Chris Johns started to make more forays into the Laurelhill half, giving the Lisburn lads something to think about. Just before half time, Kirkwood came to the rescue with a wonderful fingertip save.

Gareth Ringland took up a more central midfield role and this had an immediate effect on the game. An incisive through ball gave Matty Davis a chance to break the deadlock, but the fans sighed as his shot glanced the outside of the post. James Singleton won the ball in midfield and delivered the pass to Keith Morris on the left. The speedy winger, outpaced his markers and rifled the ball past the Banbridge keeper to give Laurelhill a deserved lead.

As the game entered injury time Banbridge were awarded a throw in inside the Laurelhill half. Chris Johns, son of rugby legend Paddy Johns, made some space for himself and shot from outside the box. The ball flew past the outstretched foot of a Laurelhill defender and the diving hands of Kirkwood, between the posts. Alas, an equaliser and there was not enough time to even restart the game. In the first half of extra time, Laurelhill pressed for the winner. James Singleton had shots cleared off the line in each half, but with two minutes remaining, and penalties looming, Banbridge won a free kick which was crossed into the Laurelhill box.

On this occasion the steadfast defence did not adequately deal with it and Luke Russell was available to poke the ball over the line and send the Banbridge team and supporters into raptures.

This Laurelhill team do not know when they’re beaten and piled forward when all seemed lost. Laurelhill earned a final corner, everyone pushed up for that last chance. Dale Hanna crossed and Magee made no mistake to send the game into a penalty decider. As usual, five penalties each and then sudden death. Laurelhill came through 3-1 in the end.

A very proud coach, Noel McKnight said, “We made hard work of it. I was resigned to defeat when they took the lead with only a couple of minutes to go, but my boys really showed heart and determination to level the game like they did.”

Captain Chris Abbott was awarded the man of the match award by Umbro guest Gary Pallister, and Abbott will now lead out his team against St Columb’s from Derry in a return of last year’s final.

So far, the team have been very successful in emulating the achievements of the current cup holders and they now have one more game to win in order to retain the old trophy that their predecessors won last year for the first time.

Team: Robbie Kirkwood; Dale Hanna; Nathan Larmour; Chris Abbott; Phil Magee; Matty Parker; James Singleton; Keith Morris; Gareth Ringland; Matty Davis; Michael Fegan; Gary Fletcher; Glen Wilson; Jayson Beck; Steven Larmour; James Farrell.