Hill Street home as cup champions against old derby rivals Silverwood

Hill Street and Silverwood United have shared the Division One spotlight in recent seasons but Alexandra Cup honours were on the table in Dollingstown - with the former securing a 2-0 victory over the latter.

Silverwood finished second to Hill Street in last season’s league title race - with United two points clear of the defending champions in the current standings.

Hill Street took the lead thanks to Stephen Lawson’s drive from the edge of the penalty area.

Ian Penny’s goal in the closing stages of the knockout showpiece wrapped up glory for Hill Street.

“It is only the third Alexandra Cup win in our history and first in around a decade,” said Hill Street’s Darren Kennedy. “It has been a great rivalry with Silverwood and last year we pipped them to the league and it is going to look tight again this time.

“We had plenty of pressure before the break and it was end-to-end stuff after the interval.

“We put in some excellent defending and Aaron Kidd was good as goalkeeper.

“It was an entertaining final between two good sides and a great win for the club.

“It will help make up for the recent disappointment of losing the Junior Cup semi-final.”

Ashley Gregg had an early Hill Street chance, with Dwyer Lavery close to finding the net for Silverwood United.

“Congratulations go to Hill Street and they created more chances over the course of the final,” said Silverwood’s Stephen Toman. “We were better in the second half but Hill Street dominated before the break.

“We were pushing forward at 1-0 down but then got caught late on the break.

“It was a good final played in front of maybe 300 or more fans.

“I think any neutrals would have enjoyed the match.

“Our rivalry with Hill Street has been a great part of the past few seasons and it looks as if this league race will go down to the last few games.”

Hill Street would like to thank Norman Wallace for providing match sponsorship and Maloney’s Diner for the pre-match hospitality.

HILL STREET: Aaron Kidd, Darren Kennedy, Peter Wright, Adam Carson, Andrew Hagan, David Hawthorne, Alex Glenn, Aaron Greenaway, Stephen Lawson, Ashley Gregg, Ian Penny. Subs: Greig Stewart, Jack McNally, Graeme McCoy, Callum Grieve, James Lindsay, Paul Greenaway, Andy Brown.

SILVERWOOD UNITED: Ciaran McKerr, Stephen Boyd, Ciaran McAvoy, John Campbell, Danny McGill, Shane Doran, Gavin Gowdy, Matt Lowe, Pol Smyth, Michael Haughian, Dwyer Lavery. Subs: Kenny Devreaux, Johnny McAlinden, Ryan Hughes, Johnny Porode, Sean Haughian.