Corey McBride the hero as Cockhill Celtic advance to the FAI Junior Cup decider 

Cockhill Celtic are into the FAI Junior Cup final after Corey McBride’s first-half strike proved to be the decisive moment in their semi-final tussle away to Pike Rovers of Limerick on Sunday. 

Gavin Cullen’s men, beaten finalists in the Intermediate decider final last season, will now take on Gorey Rangers of Wexford in the decider.

Cockhill's Lee McLaughlin looks to close down Pike Rovers' Shane Clarke

The visitors were a strong physical and talented side and their game plan succeeded in closing down Pike every time they gained possession. 

Such was their intensity, Pike never got into any kind of stride and it was only in the dying minutes that they really tested goalkeeper Harry Doherty.

Right from the off Pike were aware that time and space were at a premium but they did threaten early on when Colm Walsh O’Loughlin’s shot from outside the box was deflected by James Breslin for a corner kick from which Adam Lipper headed just over the top.

Cockhill took the lead after 22 minutes James Bradley won the ball in midfield and played wide to Luke Rudden. His delivery to the back post saw Garbhan Friel knock the ball back across goal where McBride came sliding in to finish from close range.

It would have been 2-0 but for a fine save by Gary Neville minutes later, blocking the ball at the front post from Brendan McLoughlin’s shot.

At the other end, Walsh O’Loughlin crossed from the right and Conor Coughlan did well to keep the ball in play but his back heel fell just behind the inrunning Colin Daly.  

Friel beat the defence to a through ball but looped the ball over the advancing Neville but over the crossbar.

Just before the break, Danny O’Neill played a good ball into the area. Shane Clarke controlled on his chest but as he was settling to shoot, Lee McLaughlin made a vital last-second interception to keep his side in front at the break.

The standard of play dropped after the restart but the visitors created an opening when Breslin delivered to the back post for McLaughlin but he headed straight at Neville from close range.

Friel had the ball in the net after pouncing on slack defending but the offside flag came to Pike’s rescue.

Dylan Murphy was introduced by Pike and within seconds blazed over the ball from inside the box and at the other end Rudden’s sliding attempt to finish McLaughlin’s delivery to the net saw the ball roll under his legs.

With time running out Pike upped the tempo. Danny O’Neill delivered to the front men where Clarke headed on for Murphy but a moment’s hesitation allowed Doherty to race from his line to save.

Ironically, Pike’s best chance came in the final act of the game. Robbie Williams played a ball forward, Clarke flicked on and Murphy spread it wide to Walsh O’Loughlin.

The Pike wide man cut inside his marker and delivered into the six-yard box where Eoin Hanrahan met the ball sweetly but Doherty made a stunning point-blank save and from the rebound, Coughlan saw his effort blocked by the covering Breslin.

The chance was gone and it’s the Inishowen outfit that now marches on. 

Pike Rovers; Gary Neville, Danny O'Neill, Sean Madigan (Eoin Hanrahan, 69), Adam Lipper, Pat Mullins, Colm Walsh O'Loughlin, Colin Daly, Shane Walsh (Dylan Murphy,53), Steven Bradley, Conor Coughlan, Shane Clarke.

Cockhill Celtic: Harry Doherty; Lee McLaughlin, Lee McColgan, Peter Doherty, Jason Breslin; Jack Doherty, Luke Rudden, James Bradley, Garbhan Friel; Cody McBride (Jack Mullan, 87), Brendan McLaughlin. 

Referee: Joseph Hession