Super sub McLaughlin

AN inspired substitution by Ardmore boss Damien McGee ensured his side booked their place in the second round of the City Cup, following a comfortable 3-0 win at Eglinton.

The Second Division men brought on Peter McLaughlin mid-way through the first half after Karl O’Kane picked up a knee problem and the experienced midfielder netted in both halves, to set-up the comfortable victory.

McGee’s side broke the deadlock on ten minutes when super play by Daniel England ended with the Currynierin man’s centre being powerfully headed home by Damien McGee Junior.

The home side who had former Glendermott cricketer Sean Hargan in the centre of their midfield, were unlucky not to level things just after the half-hour.

Striker Barry Murray, who looked a threat throughout the 90 minutes, got away from his marker, but with only the Ardmore keeper to beat, a super last ditch block by Johnny Ward denied the front man a certain goal.

A super flowing move by Ardmore on 40 minutes, which started with left-back Anthony Hargan ended with McGee’s left wing centre across the six yard box being gleefully turned home by an unmarked McLaughlin.

Early in the second half the First Division side should have pulled one back after some sloppy defending by Ardmore.

Stephen McCloskey’s 49th minute free-kick high into the box was flicked on by Murray, but the lively Anthony Johnson failed to hit the target and blasted over from close range.

That missed chance came back to haunt the Villagers as Ardmore ended the game as a contest just after the hour mark, following a fantastic flowing move.

A quickly taken free-kick by Ward into England’s feet, his clever pass released the defender again and his low cross from the right was easily despatched high into the net by the alert and totally unmarked McLaughlin.

To their credit Eglinton never let their heads drop and Murray and Johnson in particular continued to cause Ardmore’s back-line some problems, but Ward and Kevin Deehan stood firm at the heart of the visitor’s defence.