Cockhill Youths defeat Redcastle United to capture Fr O’Gara Cup 

Cockhill Youths caused a bit of an upset when they defeated First Division Redcastle United in an entertaining Hannon Greene Insurances Fr O’Gara Cup final punctuated by a 12 minute break when lightning struck early in the game. 

Cockhill started well with a Ryan McDaid effort saved by Michael McCole before they opened the scoring in the 5th minute when Conor Allen pounced on a loose ball and drilled high to the right hand corner past McCole from twenty yards. 

But Redcastle equalised on 11 minutes after a superb inswinging free from Shaun Curran saw Darragh O Donnell react brilliantly to keep the ball out but Marc Bell bundled home from close range.

After the lightning induced break it was the younger Cockhill side wo restarted the better with a short free finding Paul Mullan on the right and his ball across found Kieran McElroy to fire home from six yards. 

Minutes later Darragh McDermott added a third when he looped an effort from thirty yards over McCole to the net.  

Redcastle tried to respond and Mark Farren fired over from a tight angle before at the other end McDermott unleashed another effort which flashed just over the bar.

Redcastle were denied on 43 minutes when Shaun Curran released Stephen Grant who skipped past a challenge and pulled the ball back to Farren whose goal bound effort was blocked by McElroy at the expense of a corner. 

Farren had the final effort of a rain sodden first half with an effort from the edge of the area well gathered by O’Donnell. 

Redcastle started the second half well with Jack McConollogue crossing for Farren but he failed to get enough on the header. 

When Eamon Donnelly pumped a high ball into the area it broke for McConnellogue whose first time effort was superbly parried by O’Donnell low to his left. 

Good build up play on the hour mark then by Cockhill saw McDermott and Christopher Duffy combine to find Mullan on the edge of the area but he curled an effort wide of the right hand post. 

Redcastle got a lifeline in the 69th minute  when they made it three two after sustained pressure  on the Cockhill area saw the ball break for Curran to curl a superb effort to the top left hand corner from sixteen yards. 

Redcastle tried hard to get back on terms with Grant pulling the ball across the area to substitute Darragh McConway whose goal bound effort was blocked by McElroy. 

On 87 minutes a deep corner kick found Josh McConnellogue but his header was saved at the foot of the post by O’Donnell. 

With Redcastle pushing men forward Cockhill spurned a good chance with substitute Danny McDaid breaking clear only to see his effort saved by McCole. Cockhill saw the game out and few could argue that they didn’t deserve their success.