Crumlin Star 2-0 Newcastle

The Star are through to their first ever Border Cup final after beating Newcastle 2-0 down in Druminess. In only their second year in Intermediate football the Star have surpassed all expectations and reached a major NAFL final where they'll meet Islandmagee. The Islanders beat Newington in the other semi final 3-0 which ruined an all North Belfast derby final which will be held at Sea-view (Crusaders) on the 28th December.

The game was played in wintry conditions as heavy rain and gale force winds kept any good football to a minimum. The Star faced the strong wind in the first half and where put under pressure early on as the Mourne men won a series of corners which the Stars defence dealt with superbly. Newcastle did go close to breaking the deadlock but a point blank save from Thompson kept the scores level. As the half wore on the Star gradually got into the game and almost opened the scoring themselves when McKervey went close with a free kick. Shortly after Paul Brown was denied from close range by an excellent save from the Newcastle number one. On the stroke of half time McKervey found space at the edge of the area and with a cheeky through ball he played in Paul Brown for the deadly marksman to fire the Ardoynions into a 1-0 lead.

H/T 1-0

Newcastle came out and gave everything in the opening stages of the second half and once again put the star under some real pressure. On the hour they almost got a deserved equaliser when a shot from the edge of the box crashed of the post to the relief of the Star contingent. Sean and Stephen Brown came on for McKervey and Murphy to breath new life into the Star's attack while Nial Hawkins was brought on to help McLarnon in midfield. As the game wore on the Star where happy to hit Newcastle on the counter attack and sure enough five minutes from time McLarnon put the game to bed when he rounded the keeper and slotted the ball home after being put through by Paul Brown. It was Paul McLarnons first game back after a six game ban which proved how much the team have missed him.

Next week the Star are home to Premier side Ards Rangers in the Clarence cup at Solitude, Kick off 1:30pm.

Team: Thompson, O'Reilly, Berne, Burns, O'Neill, C.Murphy, McNeill, McLarnon, McKervey, PJ O'Neill, P.Brown

Subs: Sean Brown, Stephen Brown, Hawkins

McLarnon & Brown reel away to celebrate the Star's second goal on Saturday