Crumlin Star 3 - 1 18th Newtownabbey OB

Crumlin Star have once again reached another Cochrane&Corry Cup Final. Star produced an excellent display that was simply too much for their 2A counterparts and sets up an epic Final against Immaculata. Both teams had come into this match in good form and Star started the match with a quick tempo as they got to grips with their passing game early on. Big Devenny up front was proving to be a handful for 18th as Star pressed for an early opening. This duly arrived when Braniff volleyed a loose ball from 25 yards low into the bottom corner to hand Star an early advantage. This was soon doubled when a defence splitting ball from Reid found Devenny on the right, the big striker then squared to P Brown who finished clinically into the top of the net. It was all Star with 18th offering very little in midfield and upfront. Reid should have scored however the keeper blocked his 2 efforts and Mooney saw his effort cleared off the line. Devenny found himself one on one from a long ball however his effort just went by the post from a tight angle and S Brown just curled a free kick past the post. 18th had their best chance on the break however their striker delayed his shot and the Star defence got back to clear their lines. On the stroke of Half time S Brown booked Star's place in the final when he curled a 25 yard free kick into the top corner. H/T 3-0

First 10 minutes of the second half saw 18th push to reduce the deficit however the backline of Burns, Keenan, Mc Alea and O'Reilly stood firm and stopped any threat. Mooney's pace and industry on the right subdued any 18th attack on the left with O' Reilly's attacking runs pushing them further back. Star's first shot of the second half was a 25 yard shot from Braniff however the 18th keeper saved comfortably. O' Reilly then blasted over when in a good position. 18th first meaningful shot came in the 65 minute however Thompson in goal saved well. P Brown was also denied a brace when his header was cleared off the line. Star played out the rest of the half by keeping possesion and creating chance after chance. The only blip on the night was a soft goal conceded deep into injury time.F/T 3-1 Star now have a final to look forward to in the coming weeks against Immaculata which will pit two of the best junior sides against each other and should be a cracking match.

Anto: Got Star's first goal against 18th

Saucy: Club Captain curled a free kick into the top corner!!

Bryansburn II 2 - 3 Crumlin Star II

Star II got a much needed win to boost their slim promotion chances with a hard fought win away to Bryansburn II. Star started the match better with Teer, Scully and Doyle causing the Bryansburn a few problems early on. However Star's concentration slipped and they fell behind when Bryansburn's striker scored from close range. Star suffered another blow when Scully went off with a broken toe, however from the resultant free kick Toner's header found the net via a deflection of a Bryansburn defender. (D) Murray replaced Scully and the lively Teer moved into centre midfield. Star were losing too many second balls and challenges for the rest of the half and just before half time Bryansburn took the lead again when their striker got his second goal after slotting past Mc Veigh. H/T 2-1

Star's second half performance was the complete opposite to the first. (S) Murray moved into right back with Mc Mullan pushing forward with both players now playing better. Teer and Gormley were now dominating the midfield with their passing and graft. Star had a few half chances to equalise and were awarded a penalty with Mallon cooly stepping up to send the keeper the wrong way. Star got awarded another penalty on 70 minutes when Mc Veigh's long accurate kick to Doyle saw him race clear and when about to shoot he was brought down by the keeper. Mallon again stepped up a gave the keeper no chance to score into the bottom right hand corner. Star were now passing well and Cairns had a long range effort just go well. (D) Murray and Teer then missed absolute sitters. Last 10 mins saw Star on the back foot however Mallon and Hawkins were excellent at centre back. Gouldie then replaced Doyle and Star saw the game out to get the 3 points. H/T 2-3 

Dexter: Missed a sitter but played well in centre midfield

Gormley: Suffered a back injury early on but battled on and played well