WEEKEND REPORTS W/E 25/05/24

BALLYMENA and PROVINCIAL FOOTBALL LEAGUE

MATCH REPORTS

Week-ending Saturday 24th May 2024

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Strabane Athletic were crowned Intermediate League Winners on Friday evening after they defeated Ballymoney United in the play-off final.

The Next Final in the Junior Section is as follows:

Friday Date 31st May 2024

Teams = Killymoon Rangers v Belfast Athletic

Venue = Allen Park. Antrim (Chimney Corner Ground)

Kick off = 7.00pm

Other winners declared are:

Junior Division One = Belfast Athletic

Junior Division Two = Ballynure OB’B’

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INTERMEDIATE

LEAGUE PLAY-OFF FINAL

BALLYMONEY UNITED 1 - 3 STRABANE ATHKETI

Both teams took a little time to settle in the game in their task to lift the Connon Cup which dates back to 1897. Though both teams had few goal scoring chances the game was into stoppage tine of the first half when Aaron O’Hagan scored for the Athletic on the 46th minute. Ballymoney replied to this with Matthew Knight scoring the equaliser on the 48th minute. The second half was a somewhat different than the first as the Athletic struck a purple patch in the first few minutes of the re-start. First Declan Sharkey was on hand to finish off a good move on the 52nd minute followed by Simon McGlynn scoring on the 56th minute. After this both teams continued to attack but no more goals were scored before the final whistle. After the game, the League Vice Chairperson Robert Fenton presented the Runners-up Trophy the Toronto Trophy to the Ballymoney Captain Gerald Gillan and the Connon Cup to the Strabane Athletic Captain Luke McGeehan.

Referee Mr Finton Coyle. Assistants Mr Kyle Barr and Mr Cianan Canney.

Mid-Week League Play-off Semi-finals Results

MAIDEN CITY 2 - 3 BALLYMONEY UNITED

STRABANE ATHLETIC 2 - 0 DONEGAL CELTIC

LEAGUE

NEWBUILDINGS UNITED 3 - 2 DUNLOY

Dunloy went in front after the home side conceded an own goal on the 4th minute. Dunloy then doubled their advantage when Michael O’Mullan scored on the 22nd minute. Half-time saw Dunloy still ahead by two then Darren Robb scored for the United on the 53rd minute. Straight after this Matthew Pierce equalised for United on the 55th minute. No more goals were scored after this until the United were awarded a penalty on the 91st minute which Matthew Pierce converted to give the United Three very valuable points in the quest to finish on the top six in the league table.

Referee Mr Marty Crawford

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JUNIOR DIVISIONS

ONE

GREENCASTLE ROVERS 4 - 1 DESERTMARTIN SWIFTS

Greencastle went in front after Michael Smyth scored on the 24th minute of the game. Rovers went further in front after Jack Parke scored a brace of goals on the 27th and 43rd minutes. The Martins got a goal back after Fionn McGuigan scored on the 45th minute. No more goals followed until Mark Tutin scored for the Rovers on the 90th minute.

Referee Mr Lewis Allison

MID-WEEK REULTS

LEAGUE

BELFAST CELTIC RES 4 - 0 BALLYCLARE NORTH END

RATHCOOLE RESERVES 1 - 2 BELFAST ATHLETIC

BELFAST CELTIC RES 2 - 0 DONRGAL CELTIC RESERVES

LINDA WELSHMAN MEMORIAL CUP SEMI-FINAL

KILLYMOON RANGERS 4 - 0 St JAMES SWIFTS RESERVES

The Rangers went in front after Max Brady scored on the 14th minute then Samaila Banbu equalised for Inspired on the 33rd minute. The Rangers went in front again after Jason Park scored on the 45th minute. No more goals were scored until Ryan Taylor scored the final goal in the game for the Rangers on the 84th minute.

Referee Mr Dean Mclernon

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