Crumlin star 3 - 1 Downpatrick

Walter Moore Cup

Crumlin Star took on County Down Downpatrick team at Solitude. The game was one of only a few that took place due to the cold weather although the Ardoyne side were well warmed up for the game and took it straight to the County Down team. Gerard Mc Connell was controlling the midfeild from the start and his quick passing found osborne in the box and the Star midfielder was unlucky not to score as the Downpatrick keeper was out quicky to narrow his angle and the keeper made him shoot wide. James Mc Nally and James Doyle were causing the Downpatrick team all sorts of problems with there fast pace and quick passing and Doyle was all most on the score sheet, when from a corner Doyle won a header at the back post but the Downpatrick keeper was equal to it. The County Down side were very quick on the break and Gormley, Mullan, Reilly and Mc Kinney had to be on their toes as time an time again the County Down team were breaking with pace. On 30mins the County Down team took the lead when some sloppy passing from the Star was captilised by the downpatrick midfield and there tricky winger beat the star defenders with great skill and crossed to the back post giving Ciaran Largey no chance in goals. The Star were missing some great chances to get on level terms with O Reilly, Hawkins and Doyle missing the target. The Saints almost scored a second when Mc Connell and Mullan were caught out but Jimmy Mullan repreived himself with a great tackle to stop the saints striker from scoring. HT 0-1
The Crumlin Star management of Toner and Hamilton give the players some harsh words at half time and right from the start of the 2nd half the Ardoyne team were searching for the equaliser and on 50mins James Doyle scored a stunning goal from 25yards curling the ball with pace into the top corner. Ciaran Braniff was introduced to the front line and was winning battles with the two Downpatrick center halfs and linking well with Osborne. The two players linked well and Kevin Osborne unleased a left foot shot from 30 yards which was heading for the top corner but the saints keeper brought of a cracking save to deny Osborne. The Star keeper Largey got injured so the Star management has to shuffle with Ciaran Gormley went into goals and O'Reilly went into defence with Mc Grandles entering the fray. The Ardoyne team were well on top and on 75min they took the lead when McConnell found McNally with a precision pass and the Star front man made no mistake curling the ball pass the advancing keeper to put the ardoyne team infront. Joe Todd came on just after the goal was scored and wtih his first touch he almost scored only the saints keeper was out quickly to deny him on 83 mins. The Star went further when Braniff put a ball over the top for todd who outpaced the saints defence and was tackled from behind and brought down in the box an the ref give a pentaly. James Doyle converted the spot kick. Joe Todd almost made it four only to be fouled in the box only no pentaly this time. final score. Crumlin star 3 Downpatrick 1

star team; largay ; mc kinney ;mullan ; c.gormley ; t reilly; osborne ; g.oreilly .mc connell ; n.hawkins; doyle ; mc nally ; braniff ; todd ; mc grandless

starmen: james doyle and kevin osborne