Locals miss out on tilt at cup glory

Clough Rangers Athletic were knocked out of the O'Gorman Cup by Dunloy at the semi-final stage, while at junior level, Carniny Amateurs' hopes of reaching the final of the Canada Trophy were ended by Newtownabbey FC.

With all league action complete, all that remains are a raft of cup finals, starting with this Wednesday night, when Kilbride Swifts take Brantwood in the final of the Arnold Crawford-sponsored Crawford Cup followed by Ballynure Old Boys v Dunloy in the Ballymena United Social Club-sponsored McReynolds Cup on Friday Night.

Both games will be played at Chimney Corner's ground Allan Park in Antrim with a 7pm kick off.

The final of the Robert Fenton-sponsored O’Gorman Cup will be played at Allan Park Friday. May 21.

It is planned to play the Jimmy Welshman-sponsored Linda Welshman Memorial Cup and Presentation Trophies-sponsored Canada Trophy finals in week-ending May 29.

APPLICATIONS

Teams wishing to be considered for membership in the 2010/11 season should contact the secretary on 02825644326 or 07718809314 for details. It is planned to decide in June the format of the junior divisions for the new season.

INTERMEDIATE LEAGUE

Raceview 3, Rasharkin United 1: Raceview, who had received the Connon Cup league championship trophy prior to kick-off, went ahead through Matt Boyd in the 36th minute.

Raceview then sealed the game with two more goals scored by David Tennant and Gareth Mott on the 41st and 44th minutes though Shaun Hickey scored for Rasharkin on the 86th minute.

Kilbride Swifts 0, Clough Rangers Athletic 2: Clough finished off Alan Boyd's first season in charge in a very encouraging sixth position with this win though Kilbride had their chances during a closely fought game.

Clough went in one up at half-time with a goal scored by Adie McDonald on the 35th minute.

The second half saw little between the teams other than the goal scored by Ross Steele for Clough on the 72nd minute.

Other result: Kilbride Swifts 4, Ballycastle United 1.

O'GORMAN CUP SEMI-FINALS

Dunloy 2, Clough Rangers Athletic 0: The games between the two teams this season have been very tight and in most cases the defences have had the upper hand. Saturday was again no exception.

Extra time was looming when John John McFerran broke the deadlock for Dunloy on the 85th minute.

Clough then had to throw caution to the wind in an effort to get the equaliser but got caught when Benny McGarry broke through to score a second Dunloy goal on the 88thn minute.

Other result: Ballynure Old Boys 3, Brantwood 3 (aet, Brantwood won 4-3 on pens).

CANADA TROPHY SEMI-FINALS

Carniny Amateurs 1, Newtownabbey FC 2: Both teams had a chance to score early in the game before Ricky Moore scored to put Newtownabbey in front on the 30th minute and at half-time this goal still separated the teams.

Carniny pushed forward during the second half and got a deserved equaliser when mark McAllister scored on the 86th minute.

This goal took the game into extra-time and then with penalty kicks looming on the horizon Jackie Moore scored a scorcher of a goal to with the game for Newtownabbey with three minute of time left.

Other result: Newtownabbey Sevens 3, Ballymoney United Reserves 2.

2008/9 final result: FC Larne 2, Magherafelt Sky Blues Reserves 1 (aet).