Rovers’ bid for cup glory comes up just short

Antrim Rovers’ attempts to add the Ballymena & Provincial League’s Crawfored Cup to their Junior Division One title success ended in gallant failure at the weekend.
Antrim Rovers, who were beaten by Ballynure Old Boys in the final of Crawford Cup.Antrim Rovers, who were beaten by Ballynure Old Boys in the final of Crawford Cup.
Antrim Rovers, who were beaten by Ballynure Old Boys in the final of Crawford Cup.

Rovers were beaten 2-1 by Ballynure Old Boys in the final on Friday night and the weekend got even better for the east Antrim side on Saturday when they clinched the Michelin Athletic Club-sponsored championship by virtue of nearest challengers losing to Brantwood.

CRAWFORD CUP FINAL

Antrim Rovers 1, Ballynure Old Boys 2: Ballynure struck early, taking the lead after Mark Leckey headed the ball into the net after a corner kick with only two minutes played.

Antrim were reduced to ten men on the 56th minute after they had a man sent off then on the 61st minute they were back level after a superb 25 yard free kick from Darryl Brammeld flew into the top corner of the Ballynure net.

Ballynure with the extra man were finding it difficult to breakdown a resilient Antrim defence then with time running down Andy Forsythe headed in from a corner kick on the 82nd minute to win the Cup for Ballynure.

After the final whistle the League Chairman Ian Shiels presented the Cup to the Ballynure Old Boys Captain Michael Duff.

INTERMEDIATE LEAGUE

Result: Brantwood 4, Newtowne 3.

JUNIOR DIVISION TWO

Clough Rangers Athletic 0, Newington YC II 7: Clough’s season concluded on a low note with a heavy defeat by Newington, who finish just short of the promotion places.

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