U23 Football Cup semi-Final
All Saints 1-11 St. Enda’s 0-4
Ronan McKillop, affectionately known as ‘Rhino’, hit 1-4 to power All Saints into the South West U23 football cup final as the Ballymena side overcame the challenge of St. Enda’s at Quinn Park on Sunday morning.
The visitors started well with Fionn Nagle causing problems but All Saints switched Patrick Ferris onto the Hightown danger man and it negated his threat as the Ballymena side moved into an early 0-4 to 0-1 lead with Ronan McKillop and Jake White on target.
The goal arrived after a well worked move involving several players in the buildup and Darragh Bradley squared the ball across the box for Ronan McKillop to fist home and give his side a six point lead as Ryan O’Reilly sounded his half time whistle.
The visitors fought hard to get themselves into the game in the second half but found it difficult to break down a strong All Saints full-back line where Connell Killough, Michael Read and Ryan Tom were dominant throughout the contest though St. Enda’s began to win more ball around mid-field.
Half-back Ronan Laverty broke up a number of visitors attacks, instigating counter attack for his own side while Sean O’Callaghan cut out a lot of ball that was directed in the direction of Fionn Nagle.
Up front the hard working Joshua Blair provided an effective foil for dangerman, McKillop and overall the Ballymena management will be well pleased by their side’s performance as they look forward to the final.
All Saints will meet Tir na nOg in the final after the Randalstown side defeated St. James Aldergreove in Crumlin in a tight semi-final that went to extra time.
All Saints: Ryan Stewart, Riam Tom, Connell Killough, Michael Read, Ronan Laverty, Patrick Ferris, Matthew Downey, Cormac Lemon, Cal |O’Brien, Sean O’Callaghan, Jake White, Ciaran Campbell, Darragh Bradley, Joshua Blair, Ronan McKillop.
St. Enda’s: Nathan Kerr, Colm McCabe, Ciaran McKeown, Connor McCann, Eoghan O’Hare, Owen Kennedy, Ryan Kelly, Sean Murray, Ronan O’Neill, Michael Devenny, Tomas Gilmour, Sean McBride, Michael Kennedy, Fionn Nagle, Pearse Bowes.
Referee: Ryan O’Reilly (Glenravel)