Coagh target last eight

IT will be very much a case of winner takes all at Hagan Park on Saturday as Coagh United take on NI Intermediate League outfit Newbuildings. A place in the last eight of the competition is up for grabs and a chance to play one of the Irish League big boys.

Despite playing in the Intermediate League, Newbuildings have proved that they are no push overs.

Their cup run started on the 17th September when they knocked out Mid Ulster side Hanover 9-1. Newbuildings moved to Ballymena for round two knocking out Carniny Amateur & Youth 5-3 and they followed up this with a 6-1 over Dromara Village in round three.

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Round four saw them take Coagh’s fellow Championship two side Armagh City 3-0 and they followed that with a 4-1 dubbing of Dunmurry Rec at home. Coagh’s run started with a 1-0 win over Banbridge Rangers and it took two goes against Championship one side Loughgall before they finally went through with a slender 2-1 result.

Newbuildings have labelled the match against Coagh as the biggest in their short history and their village has certainly took to the cup atmosphere, with over 300 home spectators from the village, surrounding villages and Waterside expected to travel to Coagh to cheer and sing the home team through to the quarter finals of the historic competition. Coagh also will be hoping for a large turnout from their loyal supporters.

Coagh’s management are not taking this game lightly and travelled to Strabane on Saturday to see Newbuildings beat Strabane and Sion Swifts 2-0.

“This team have been going well on all fronts and have been knocking in a lot of goals, they will come to Coagh and raise their game and that is exactly what we need to do, having no match last week was maybe good for the players especially those who have being carrying knocks. We will start the match without team captain Steven Hawe, while Glenn Clarke remains doubtful.” Kick off at Hagan Park is at 3pm.

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Saturday 10th March will see the return of the Leslie Dallas Memorial Darts Competition which attracts a host of top throwers from North and South of the border. Mark Allen, the Worlds number 10 Snooker Player, was a surprise entry in last year’s competition and may return this year.

Prize money this year is £300 and the darts start to fly at 5pm in the Coagh United Club Rooms. As the usual large entry is predicted, throwers are requested to get their entries in early by phoning 028 867 36073 between Thursday and Saturday night or contact any Committee Member. Late entries for any remaining places will be taken on the day.

A spokesperson for the Dallas family said “every year this Competition gets bigger and better, attracting a lot of the top throwers from both sides of the border.”

“Last year every county in Northern Ireland was represented along with a few from the South, making the Leslie Dallas Memorial one of the largest Competitions in the Darts Calendar.” The Dallas family and Coagh United FC look forward to welcoming everyone back to this year’s competition.

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