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Written by Anto
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Monday, 15 February 2010 |
Crumlin Star 3-0 Suffolk Swifts
The Star faced West Belfast side Suffolk Swifts in the first round of the Clarence Cup on Saturday. Goals from Dam Whelan and a brace from Joe Gormley was enough to send the Ardoyne side through to the next round. For the second week running the Star were slow out of the blocks and couldve been 1-0 down as early as the 5th minute but the Suffolk striker steered his shot wide when it looked easier to score. Dam Whelan broke the dead lock on the quarter hour mark when Mark Mooney's cross evaded everyone in the middle but Whelan smashed a cracking half volley into the back of the net from the back post to give the Star the lead. Suffolk had the chance to equalise soon after but again they where wasteful in front of goal as they again failed to even hit the target. Towards the end of the half Devenny raced through on goal but the Swifts keeper did well to block him but unfortunate for him the ball fell for Braniff out wide and he had the simplest of tasks of picking out Gormley in the middle who nodded the ball into the empty net.
H/T 2-0
The second half was a far better performance from the Star as their movement and superior fitness made the second 45 minute for the Swifts one they'll want to forget as the Ardoyne side had them under relentless pressure for most of the half. On the hour the management made a triple substitution as Nial Hawkins, Sass McConnall & Ciaran Gormley replaced Braniff, McAlea & Mooney. It was Gormley's first appearance for the first team and he didnt look out of place with some fine passing in the middle of the park. In the 80th minute a great ball over the top from Ciaran Burns put Joe Gormley through on goal and the inform striker crashed the ball home from out side the box which left the Swifts keeper with no chance.
Next week the Star are away to York Street Baptist in the quarter final of the Junior Shield @ the Grove playing fields, KO 2:00pm
Team: Thompson, O'Reilly, Nellis, Burns, McAlea, Whelan, Reid, Braniff, Mooney, Devenny, J.Gormley
Subs: Hawkins, McConnall, C.Gormley
Dam Whelan opened the scoring on Saturday  Joe Gormley scored two  |
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Last Updated ( Monday, 15 February 2010 )
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