Magherafelt Sky Blues relishing Foyle Cup success

Maiden City 1

Magherafelt Sky Blues 2

Ferghal McLarnon was the hero for Magherafelt Sky Blues as his last-gasp goal won this year’s U13 Foyle Cup in dramatic circumstances at Wilton Park.

The young striker popped up when his team needed him the most, using his considerable pace to get in front of the last defender, then incredible composure to round the goalkeeper and finish into the net. The youngster showed an incredibly cool head in that moment, given everything that was at stake, and given that one kick of his left foot meant the difference between a Foyle Cup win and a nerve-wrecking penalty shoot-out.

And that was the second time in the game that the young striker has showed that ruthlessness in front f goal, as he scored an almost identical effort in the first half, but with his right foot, to open the scoring in an entertaining cup final that not even the awful Derry weather could spoil.

For Maiden City, it was a devastating way to lose any game, not least a cup final, especially because they had chances to win the game, and would certainly have done if not for an equally heroic display by Sky Blues goalkeeper Eoin McGrady at the other end. McLarnon will get the praise for the goals, but the goalkeeper was sensational, proving that everyone has a part to play in every success. And the Sky Blues, from the goalkeeper, to the hard-working defenders and disciplined midfielders, all deserve credit for digging out this memorable victory.

Maiden City, who came into the final having scored 31 goals and conceded just once, could have taken an early lead when Kai Anderson’s free kick moved all over the place and McGrady had to be focused as he pushed it over the bar.

The City side were on top early on and another chance came and went when Stephen Coyle raced all the way into the penalty area before finding Michael McColgan, who looked certain to score but McGrady pulled off an amazing point-blank save before Nathan Glackin hit the post with the follow up. 

Amidst all the Maiden City pressure, Magherafelt began to ask questions at the other end, and they took the lead when McLarnon took advantage of a high defensive line, used his pace to go clear, sidestepped goalkeeper Dylan Gibson and didn’t hurry as he picked his spot to avoid the defenders getting back on the line. It was 1-0 Magherafelt.

The lead lasted just two minutes however as referee Richard Fullicks pointed to the penalty spot after a foul on Coyle. Kai Anderson levelled the game at 1-1, but McGrady was so unlucky not to sav e it, the ball squirming through his hands and over the line.

Into the second half, and it took another great save from McGrady to deny Maiden City, somehow stopping a close-range volley from Aedan Smith after good work on the wing by Michael McColgan.

Maiden City had chance after chance to win the game in the second period, but they were denied by the unbeatable McGrady, or a combination of blue shirts, who were throwing themselves in front of every shot to keep the ball out.

That brave defensive work led to that one last opportunity for McLarnon, and he didn’t let his team mates down, with a ruthless finish to start brilliant celebrations for the new Foyle Cup champions, Magherafelt Sky Blues.

Teams

MAIDEN CITY: 1 Dylan Gibson, 2 Corey Harbinson, 3 Ronan Gray, 4 Preston McKeown, 5 Alex Olphert, 6 Aedan Smith, 7 Charlie Thompson, 8 Kai Anderson, 9 Jay Curry, 10 Stephen Coyle, 11 Michael McColgan, 12 Nathan Glackin, 16 Finn Gallagher, 17 Joshua Howie, 20 Ollie Harte, 23 Kimmi Thompson.

MAGHERAFELT: 1 Eoin McGrady, 22 Oisin McGuckin, 30 Charlie McSwiggan, 4 Daniel Anderson, 5 Daniel Bradley, 6 Aodhan Scullion, 7 David McNally, 8 Luke McMenamy, 9 Ferghal McLarnon, 10 Tom Farmer, 11 Caolan Brady, 26 Anthony Martin, 13 Bobby Crossett, 80 Caolan Murray, 2 Conor McCann, 16 Rocco Devlin, 17 Cody Jordan.

REFEREE: Richard Fullicks