Gary Ferry, 26 Dec
Gilfillan Cup Final
Creggan Swifts 1
Churchill Colts 0
COMETH the hour, cometh the man.
Darren Cassidy has been one of the most loyal servants in the history
of Creggan Swifts, and it was he who was the Boxing Day hero for his
team as his solitary goal was enough to secure Gilfillan Cup glory.
In such a closely contested battle, a moment of inspiration was needed,
and it was Cassidy who provided just that as his first half strike was
enough to secure the win, and the silverware for Swifts.
Churchill Colts had worked miracles to get this far in this season’s
competition, and while the championship side can keep their heads held
high, there would be no fairytale finish.
If Colts were overawed about coming up against a Premier Division side,
they certainly didn’t show it in the early stages, defending solidly
and frustrating their opponents right from the first whistle.
In fact, it was Colts who created the first real opening of the game
with almost twenty minutes on the clock, when Dillon Adair turned well
inside the penalty area before seeing his low drive well saved by JP
McColgan in the Swifts goal.
A long range free kick from PJ Ward was Swifts first real effort of
note, but it was Colts who missed a glorious chance to go in front just
after the half hour mark.
Jamie Adams found himself with plenty of space down the right hand
side, and he played a terrific low ball into path of Jack McIntyre. But
with the goal at his mercy, he only managed to drag his shot wide of
the post.
The game was finally starting to flourish after a lacklustre opening,
and Colts were left off the hook soon after when a Cassidy cross from
the left found the unmarked Ward inside the box, but the usual reliable
front man could only head straight at Stuart Moore.
The two would soon combine again with devastating effect.
This time the roles were reversed as Ward played the ball to the
onrushing Cassidy, and the full back continued his burst down the left
hand side before firing the ball into the bottom corner to give Creggan
Swifts the lead.
That goal right before the break gave Creggan Swifts a spring in their
step going into the second half, and they came close to doubling their
advantage ten minutes after the restart when Mark Doherty saw his
deflected effort kept out by the alert Moore.
Swifts now had a firm hold on the game, and when PJ Ward sent another
effort just over the top of the crossbar, it seemed like just a matter
of time before their lead would be extended.
But seemingly out of nothing, Colts were almost level when a long ball
from the right hand side found Jamie Adams at the back post, and he
climbed well before sending his header just agonisingly over the top.
At the other ward it was turning into a day of frustration for Swifts
striker Ward, as he latched onto a pass from Emmet Coyle before seeing
another effort sail off target.
Swifts just couldn’t put the game to bed.
With the clock ticking down, Swifts would suffer a massive blow when
frustration got the better of Paul McGlackin, resulting in a second
yellow for dissent, leaving his team a man short as they looked to hold
onto their lead.
Swifts were furious with the referee, but they had to regroup quickly
as Colts would look to make the most of their one man advantage.
But it was the ten me who almost sealed their victory in what would
have been a stunning goal from Jack Coyle, as he swept aside two Colts
defenders before striking the ball just over the bar.
Colts now had to throw everyone forward as they desperately searched
for the goal that would send the final into extra time, and they almost
got it when a long ball forward fell kindly to the feet of Adams, but
he could only fire his volley well side of the post.
It was their last chance.
Creggan Swifts held on for glory, and it was only fitting that it was
Cassidy’s goal that sparked the wild celebrations at the end.
A true captains display.
Creggan Swifts: JP McColgan, Paul McGlackin, Tony Duffy, Eugene Deery,
Owen McNeill, Darren McCreadie, Mark Doherty, Darren Cassidy, Emmet
Coyle, PJ Ward, Jack Coyle; Subs: John Ferry, Sean Martin, Dwyane
McBrearty, Mark McConnanon, Con McCallister
Churchill Colts: Stuart Moore, Karl Abbot, Alex Boyd, Matty Ferry,
Harry Boyd, Jack McIntyre, Ben Buchanan, Jamie Adams, Brian Berry, Adam
Williamson, Dillon Adair, Subs: Corey Adams, Will Chambers, Tommy
Deighan, Mickey McCreadie, Josh Thompson