The first three finals out of eight took place in a week of hectic activity with the Championship, Division One and Division Two showpieces being decided.
Moyola Park staged two finals, producing an entertaining double programme that thrilled the many spectators who packed into the ground. The first final to take place was the Division Two shoot-out between Valley Rangers and 1st Bangor. There was no surprise here as Rangers won 3-0.
When your manager decides you are capable of playing for his team; when you go onto become the division’s top scorer and when you are voted as Player of the Match in the division cup final then you must be something special. When you are only 14-years-old you must be extra special!
The future’s bright for young Amy Burden, the Valley Rangers teenage terrier who has terrorised defences since winning her way onto the team. She may not have scored as the Mourne side Blues clinched their third League and Cup double in a row but her whiplash display won her applause and the top player award.
Whilst life is a case of Que Sera Sera, if she continues to keep an interest in football, surely someday she will wear the Northern Ireland senior shirt. Her stinging pace and her gifted ability to put the ball in the net make her a priceless possession in any team. Along with her international colleague Nicola Graham, this dynamic duo will make Division One defences twitch next season.
Once again the young Gers dominated their division as they did in previous seasons, finishing ten points ahead of nearest rivals 1st Bangor and Portadown Integrated. Following their previous two promotions they competed in the higher sections with all the ease of Usain Bolt motoring to the finishing line. You get the impression that they will continue in the same mode and compete with confidence and conviction in Division One next summer. They possess blossoming and exciting players spread across their squad – captain Natalie Graham, goalkeeper Suzanne McCullough, Leanne Forsythe, Elaine Orr, Stefanie McCullough, Anna Cunningham and Grace Imrie to name but a few. Two goals from Elaine Orr and one from Nicole Graham in the final saw them double their silverware.
Rodney McBride was full of praise for his side. “Their success doesn’t come lightly,” explained the manager. “Always willing to put a lot of hard work into their training, never shirking, show great enthusiasm and they never know when they are beaten. I want them to be confident when they are on the field, but never to underestimate the opposition and always compete with fairness. To rush up the divisions the way we have is tremendous. I am very proud of the way they have won another league and cup double. All of them deserve the highest praise.”
Whilst Rangers denied them again it’s been a brilliant summer for Ards-based 1st Bangor who wear distinctive pink and black striped shirts. In only their third year in the League they have gained promotion again and will accompany Valley into Division One having beaten Tollymore Athletic in the play-off shoot-out. They may find the higher division a tough arena next year, but they are deserving of the opportunity to compete there. Young Northern Ireland international Hannah Sheffield remains their most gifted asset, her steady stream of goals a major reason why they reached the cup final and won promotion.
At last Cliftonville had something to smile about. They allowed YMCA to pluck the Championship title from their grasp; they missed out on promotion by falling to Mid Ulster in the play-offs but fortune at last favoured the Reds (or should I say All Blacks!) as they overcame a tender YMCA side 4-2 in the Championship final.
They welcomed a trophy to rub out their huge double disappointment and surely no-one can begrudge them their moment. Martine Power’s rocket shot them ahead and they went on to win convincingly led by Player of the Match Louise Irvine.
“We needed this,” reflected Cliftonville Chairman Gerard Lawlor. “Failing to hold on for the league crown and then missing out on promotion were bitter blows for us. We had hoped to win our way back to the Premiership this season. It didn’t happen and the winning of the Cup has lifted our spirits. We are looking forward to a new campaign already.”
Without their trio of internationals – Aine McKeever, Kendra McMullan and Aoife Curran – YMCA never really competed in the same authoritative manner in which they gained promotion to the Premiership but must be happy with their achievement.
“We knew that without some our established players, it was always going to be a tough ask,” said co-manager Greg McKeever, whose daughter Aine, on a scholarship in America, was one of the absent. “They are a pedigree side and must have been aching to gain revenge for the way we snatched the title from them. They played very well, but I have to say well done to my team for making a match of it. We went in at half-time at just 2-1 down and there was always a chance. But they scored twice in quick succession and that was it. But we won the Championship and I am more than happy with that.”
Derry City’s season ended in double glory after a close 3-2 win over gallant Blackieville in the Division One final at the Danny Blanchflower Stadium. The Candystripes, who are in their third season in the league since entering in Division Two three years ago, have made steady progress, winning the Division 2 Cup in their first season and completing the Division 2 league and Cup double last year.
“It was a good and close-run final,” said manager Aiden Quigley, whose daughter Ciara, captains the team. “We had two humdingers of games on the League. They were one of just two sides who beat us so we knew we had to perform in the final.
We have been learning and improving over the past three years, so it will be interesting to see how we fare in the Championship next summer. In the meantime we will celebrate the completion of another great season.”
Meanwhile Damian Lindsay’s West Belfast side, which finished in the lower half of the table, but defied the odds to reach the cup final, must be congratulated on their ending to their campaign, consolation coming in the shape of the Player of the Match award to Julie Scott. “We just couldn’t do it, but we did give it a go and I must congratulate my players for that,” smiled the Blackieville boss. “It was fine final with both teams going for broke. We enjoyed ourselves this season and look forward to next year.”
Report -: Sammy Martin
