Martin’s side end season on cup winning note

Played in terrible wet weather conditions at Wilton Park, Terry Martin’s side got that little bit of luck to come out come on top.

In truth Drumahoe net-minder Lee Simpson never really had a single shot to save throughout the 90 minutes, while at the other end JP McColgan made a number of big saves to at the time keep his side in the final.

The Waterside men started brightly and they went close on six minutes, but Garth Falconer’s left wing centre into the Celtic six yard box flashed just in front of the sliding Alan King.

Three minutes later King was to make up for that miss when he broke the deadlock.

A defensive mistake meant the ball fell kindly to the striker who despite under pressure managed to guide the ball past the out-rushing McColgan and into the net.

To their credit Celtic went straight up the other end of the pitch and should have levelled things virtually straight away.

A slick counter-attack ended with Pat McCormick’s cleverly placed pass finding striker Sean McKeever, but his first time shot from just inside the box failed to trouble Simpson and flashed just wide.

Just before the half-hour mark Matty Smyth tried to latch onto King’s flick-on, but his first touch was just too heavy and his shot from just inside the Celtic box, was well blocked by the out-rushing McColgan.

Drumahoe should have doubled their lead right on the stroke of half-time when Michael Ross’ right wing cross found Andrew Wilson at the back post, his clever header back across goal found an in-rushing King, but he blazed over from close range.

Early in the second half substitute Stuart Moore was in the thick of things and his set-up play released Smyth, but with only McColgan to beat, the striker dragged his shot well wide of the target.

The all-important second goal came just before the hour mark when that man Moore caused more problems for the Celtic defence.

The ex-Limavady United man showed great skill down the left hand side just outside the box, to get away from his marker, before drilling the ball low into the six yard box and the unfortunate Blaine McDaid turned the ball into his own net.

Neither side really created much in the closing minutes with Drumahoe looking the more likely to increase their lead on the break, in fact they missed a golden chance in stoppage time.

McColgan was unable to hold onto what looked like an easy ball into the six yard box, but fortunately for the keeper Drumahoe substitute John Wray incredibly side footed wide with the goal at his mercy.

Drumahoe: Lee Simpson; Ryan Wilson, Gareth Smith, Jonny Watson, Ciaran McDermott; Michael Ross, Andrew Wilson, Kevin McLaughlin, Gareth Faulkner; Alan King, Matty Smith. Subs: Stuart Moore, John Wray, Ryan Devine, Kenny Richmond, Chris McFaul

Oakleaf Celtic: JP McColgan; Dee Lynch, Sean Thornton, Keenan Toland, Blaine McDaid; Kevin O’Neill, Paddy McCormack, Sean Harkin, Denny Cox; Andy Coll, Sean McKeever. Subs: Kevin McGilloway, Ryan Harkin, Ruairi O’Kane, Donall O’Neill, John Harkin.

Referee: Mr Noel Moore.