Showdown

The final was in danger of being delayed further as beaten semi-finalists Eglinton FC lodged a protest with the North West Junior League Committee. Eglinton protested that Ardmore fielded an ineligible player but after a hearing in front of the committee a replay of the tie was ordered.

Eglinton decided against this and as a result Ardmore progressed to the final.

Tullyally manager Glenn Watson is well aware of history repeating itself. Commenting on his team’s appearance in the final he said: “This should be an entertaining final involving two good attacking teams. This is only the club’s second final and the last time we were in a final we played Ardmore up at Park and we were 3-1 up with five minutes left to play. People went off to prepare the celebrations but we lost the game 4-3 in the last few minutes and I just couldn’t believe it.”

Agreeing with his counterpart Ardmore manager Damien McGee said: “We realise that it is going to be very tight and that Tullyally are a very good side, in fact I think they are favourites given their league postion. They have better league form than us but it’s a final we have to be ready and we are, so we are in confident mood going into this final.”

As both club managers have pointed out this final should be exciting with the clubs representing the first division.

The outcome of this match is really hard to determine as both teams did not have an easy path to the final.

Tullyally’s opposition all came from the Premiership. They had a very impressive 2-1 away win at Drummond. The Colts followed this with a high scoring win over Greysteel emerging 6-4 victors. In the semi-final they dispensed with last season’s Premier champions City Colts with a narrow 2-1 victory.

Ardmore had a very difficult tie aginst one of the favourites to lift the Premier title, Lincoln Courts and in the semi they beat a very useful team Eglinton 5-1. So the final is well poised to be a cracking match. Both sides have some excellent players in their ranks.

Tullyally strengthened the team this year adding a few new signings such as Emmett Deeney, Andrew Wilson and Ciaran Toland. If the newcomers make an impact alongside the danger men of Michael Ross and Andrew Cooke then Ardmore could be facing a tricky final.

Ardmore will rely on their star players to perform well. Wide man Paul Simon Tracey and the influential Karl O’Kane will more than likely be the key to an Ardmore win. With the Colts scoring in every game of the season, Ardmore’s goalkeeper Ritchie Stewart will be vital in stopping them. Ardmore have only failed to score on one outing so who can lift this season’s first piece of silverware remains to be seen. Whoever wins the cup will gain some confidence to mount a challenge for the first division title.