NWRC team in NI Cup semis

SERC...... 0

NWRC..... 4

DEFENDING Carnegie Northern Ireland U-18 Cup Champions, North West Regional College, have reached the semi-final of this year’s competition. The boys from ‘the tech’ put four goals past their counterparts from the South Eastern Regional College.

The game followed an eight week lay off and was played on a very heavy pitch at the Grove Stadium in Belfast in terrible conditions. The game began slowly with some dis-jointed play.

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The North West lads gradually took control of the game and forced the SERC keeper into making some fine saves.

On the half-hour mark, the North West pressure took its toll. Full-back Gareth Breslin rose to put NWRC in front, heading home the opener following a well-worked set piece. The SERC team fought back well and forced their way back into the game. Without stout defending from captain Andy Devlin, Gearoid McDermott and goalkeeper Rory Kelly, the teams could easily have gone into the break on level terms.

Right from the re-start the NWRC began to dominate and showed glimpses of why they are champions with flowing teamwork.

The centre midfield pairing of Tommy McBride and Aaron Harkin were proving to be a big influence on the game, linking well with the NWRC front two, Sean McCarron and Kevin Barr. Mid-way through the second period, McCarron pounced to net North West’s second after excellent approach play on the left wing by Robbie Hume. Two NWRC further strikes found the net soon after with Hume and Aaron Harkin getting their names on the scoresheet.

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The scoring should not have ended there, but the SERC keeper was in inspired form, and pulled-off a string of exceptional stops. Tempers flared in the closing stages with both sides being reduced to ten men.

On the final whistle it was defending champions NWRC who had progressed to the semi-final on a scoreline of 4-0.

This fantastic display from NWRC was watched by Northern Ireland U-18 Schoolboys Manager Bob Ramsey and his backroom staff. The talent spotters must have been very pleased with the performances of current squad members Andy Devlin, Tommy McBride and Robbie Hume, and impressed by the efforts of several other NWRC players.

The North West lads are now only 180 minutes away from retaining their title, and will play their semi-final in the coming weeks at a neutral venue.