Crumlin Star won the McComb's Coach Travel Intermediate Cup after defeating St James’ Swifts 2-1 in the final tonight.
Goals from striker Domhnall Cosgrove and midfielder Joe O’Neill proved decisive for the NAFL Premier Division side, who were losing finalists last year.
The Swifts, who currently lie second in Intermediate Division One within the Ballymena and Provincial League, played well throughout but Star had the edge, especially in the second half.
North Belfast side Star, who are still firmly in the hunt for title glory in their league, created more chances than the team from west Belfast in the entertaining encounter, which was played in front of 2731 spectators at the National Football Stadium at Windsor Park.
On six minutes Star’s Martin Donnelly whipped a free-kick into the area which was comfortably collected by Swifts keeper Paul McLaughlin. Then Star full-back Nathan Watters delivered a cross to the near post, but again McLaughlin scooped it up.
In the 14th minute St James’ Oran McManus ran from deep and let fly, however his shot drifted over the top.
A minute later Star centre back Matthew Devine had to intervene in the six-yard box to turn a dangerous delivery from Michael Feerick out for a corner.
In the 19th minute Star centre forward Cosgrove was upended by Swifts keeper McLaughlin as he broke into the area – and Cosgrove dusted himself down to smash home the resulting penalty to make it 1-0.
St James’ equalised on 28 minutes with a peach of a goal. Ciaran Rooney jinked past a couple of players and fired in a shot which was blocked. However, the ball spun towards veteran defender Garry Breen about 25 yards out and he blasted it low into the bottom corner. It was a sweet strike.
Crumlin Star right-back Watters tested McLaughlin with a shot from distance, however the St James’ keeper handled well.
There was a lengthy delay after Swifts skipper Eugene Gallagher was injured in a collision with Star captain Niall Hawkins. Gallagher was subsequently replaced by Deaglan McDiarmid.
Just after the break Star had a gilt-edged chance to take the lead. Donnelly cleverly slipped the ball to Stephen Smyth who fired it across the area to the unmarked Cosgrove. But the striker’s low drive was kept out by McLaughlin, who stood tall. It was a smart save.
On 58 minutes a Donnelly corner found Watters unmarked in the area, however his looping header dropped on top of the net.
In the 64th minute Star keeper Ciaran McNeill had to be on his toes to keep out a wicked corner-kick delivery from Jude Winchester.
Two minutes later McLaughlin tipped a piledriver from Star substitute Patrick McDiarmid over the bar.
However, a minute after that the Swifts keeper was beaten by a stinging long range shot from man of the match O’Neill which nestled in the bottom corner.
In the 73rd minute Star substitute David Fearon raced clear of the St James’ defence and drilled in a shot which was pushed away by McLaughlin. And a minute later McLaughlin held on to an overhead kick from McDiarmid.
Hawkins got his head to another dangerous Feerick delivery as the Swifts tried to claw their way back into it. Then Winchester fired a teasing cross into the six-yard area which evaded everyone.
An excellent last ditch tackle from Swifts defender Dean Youle prevented Fearon from getting a shot away eight yards out.
In the 87th minute St James’ squandered a golden opportunity to level the game.
A deflected Ciaran Hyland cross dropped over the head of Hawkins inside the area. The defender did not see Rooney drifting in behind and subsequently tripped him up. Referee Ben Shepherd immediately awarded a penalty. However, Breen blasted the spot kick over the bar.
Star then saw the game out to secure the trophy for the third time in six seasons.
Crumlin Star: Ciaran McNeill, Nathan Watters, Samuel McBurney, Niall Hawkins (captain), Matthew Devine, Joseph McNeill, Aidan Lillis, Mark Lyons, Domhnall Cosgrove, Stephen Smyth, Martin Donnelly.
Substitutes: (used) David Fearon, Patrick McDiarmid, Kevin Lynch, Aidan McNeill; (unused) Kevin Trainor, Paul Scullion, Darragh McGrandles.
St James’ Swifts: Paul McLaughlin, Michael Feerick, Conor McDermott, Garry Breen, Dean Youle, Eugene Gallagher (captain), Oran McManus, Ciaran Rooney, Ciaran Hyland, Jude Winchester, Connor Farrelly.
Substitutes: (used) Deaglan McDiarmid, Daniel McHugh, Martin McDonald; (unused) Padraig Linton (GK), Charlie Adams, Mark McDonald, Joseph McCall.
Action from the National Stadium
