End to end stuff in Marshall Cup battle

ON Saturday Derryhirk travelled the short distance to Portadown to take on their 1st division opponents St Marys in the Marshall Cup.

From the kick off the Hirk defence was put under pressure and looked like it was just a matter of time before St Marys scored.

On the five minute mark they took the lead and the Hirk couldn’t get their foot on the ball.

A few tactical changes saw McCarron switch to midfield, Magee moving to right back and McConnell moving into sweeper.

It seemed to steady the Hirk team, Mulholland was now flowing steadily up the wing and good link play between Gilmore and Mc Kavanagh was paying off.

The Hirk were awarded a penalty just before halftime, which John McLaughlin drove straight at the keeper.

St Marys had two great chances to go in at the break 3-0 up only for the luck of the post and the crossbar coming to the Hirk's aid and the tide seemed to be turning in their favour.

The second half started as the first left off with the Hirk bombarding the St Marys defence and it wasn’t long before Conor McKavanagh found Niall Geoghan on the right to whip in a cross for Gilmore to hit first time from 20 yards and the tie was now level.

Gilmore and McCarron were causing all sorts of problems for St Marys now and the Hirk defence with Magee blocking out any threat from the in form Portadown winger it was just inevitable what was going to happen.

The Hirk started to play the football they have been accustomed to over the past few weeks and it wasn’t long before Conor McKavanagh put them in front, having run the length of the field to tap in a low cross ball from Totten.

The game was being played from box to box, a typical cup tie full of incidents with Mark Geoghan in the Hirk goal having to pull off a few great saves to keep the Hirk in contention.

St Marys made a last ditch attempt to draw level with a few tactical changes bringing Kelly on in midfield but with McGeown commanding in the Hirk defence they held out until the the 88th minute and it was Kelly who nipped up at the back post to level the scores.

The game looked to be heading for extra time when Mark Geoghan headed off on another of his mazy runs beating two defenders before crossing for the incoming Totten to seal the win and put Derryhirk into the last 16 of the Marshell Cup. A great performance on the day by the Hirk against a great St Marys team with Gilmore, McKavanagh and Magee needing a special mention for their work rate.

Derryhirk thanked St Marys for their hospitality after the match and good luck for their Kennedy cup final on Wednesday night.