Cregan’s men win cup to end perfect season

The final, which took place at Wilton Park, against Donemana Reserves in truth was over at half-time as Joe Cregan’s men raced into a 3-0 lead thanks to goals from Barry Gormley, Eddie Bell and an own goal.

But credit to Donemana the battled hard in the second half and pulled one back, before Bell scored his second and Ardmore’s fourth.

Cregan was thrilled by his side’s overall display and admitted he couldn’t really have asked for anything more.

“All the boys were super right from the off,” stated Cregan.

“To be honest we everyone in the changing room before the game made sure that each player was raring to go, because we knew that Donemana came into the game fancing their chances, but thankfully we took the lead and never looked back after that.

“Both Eddie Bell and Barry Gormley, who have been super for us all season, were great again on Saturday and they both scored.”

With the current Ardmore first team in the Premier Division, Cregan’s side could never get promotion from the First Division, so they set winning the Supplementary Cup as their number one target this season.

“To be honest we really wanted to win the Supplementary Cup and try to finish as high up the league as possible and I feel overall it has been a super season,” admitted the Ardmore gaffer.

“If I was offered at the start of the season that we would upset a few teams and win the cup again, I would have taken the arm off you

With young players like Shea O’Kane and Ciaran Melaugh getting their chance this season, Cregan is already planning ahead to the 2014-15 campaign and looking to give more young players from around the area their chance.

“There are young boys coming through and my aim to get those young boys from the area more games, even the boys from Currynierin the like of Shea (O’Kane) and Ciaran Melaugh have been playing for us this year, so we will be giving more young players a chance.

“To be honest we have to look about adding a few more young players to the squad, as Jimmy McAllister played his last game for the club, but hopefully he’ll be back helping us guys behind the scenes.

“He came on for the last 30 minutes and one well, in fact he was unlucky not to score.”