Silverware for Blues

TREVOR Molloy stole the show in the Mid-Ulster Cup final last Thursday evening, scoring two goals in a thrilling 3-2 victory.

Molloy picked up the man of the match award for his skilful display that helped his team come from 2-1 behind to claim their first silverware in five years and the first of manager Marty Quinn’s reign.

The 13th minute proved lucky for Quinn’s men as they took the lead when that man Molloy got on the end of Stuart King’s through ball before sliding it neatly into the bottom corner.

Loughgall could then have equalised but Darragh Peden’s back post effort from Aaron Baker’s corner kick was blocked well by Andrew Plummer. A minute later the keeper was again on hand to deny Loughgall, saving Brian Adair’s header before Aidan McVeigh’s six-yard rebound was blocked.

In what could be his last game for the club, the great Tony Grant almost got on the scoresheet, playing a neat one-two with Trevor Molloy before seeing his tight-angled effort well saved by Loughgall goalkeeper Marc Robinson.

With five minutes to go until the break, the magic Molloy saw his effort saved before it rebounded off Neil Alderdice and fell narrowly wide of goal; almost an embarrassing moment for the Loughgall defender.

The Ladbrokes.com Championship One side then made a blistering start to the second half, scoring two goals in the opening six minutes. First Darragh Peden nodded in at the back post after Stuart King had inadvertently flicked on Ryan Moffett’s corner.

Moffett was again involved in the second as his cross-field ball found Brian Adair and Aidan McVeigh outnumbering Glenavon defender Paul Carvill on the edge of the box. Adair then played it past Carvill and McVeigh showed no hesitation in smashing in off the bar to give his side an unlikely lead.

It could even have been 3-1 but for Andy Plummer. The English goalkeeper saved Brian Adair’s header well before racing across goal to unbelievably stop Ryan Evans’ close range drive.

The villagers were soon made to pay when Eamon Murray found the equaliser on 68 minutes. The talented winger dummied his way past his marker before striking a low 20-yard shot into the bottom corner off the post.

Ten minutes later, it was a case of anything Eamon can do, Trevor can do better when Molloy unleashed a perfect 30-yard effort into the bottom corner with Loughgall ‘keeper Robinson rooted to the spot.

What a fitting winner it turned out to be from the unquestionable man of the match in a tight and entertaining Mid-Ulster Cup final.

Glenavon: Plummer, Magee, Murray, Walsh (Harper 66), Grant, Molloy, King (Costello 72), Carvill (Davey 81), Haughey, Hamill, Shannon. Unused Subs: Dickson, Liggett

Loughgall: Robinson, Waddell, Pentland, Alderdice, Peden, Herron (Hawthorne 46), Lavery (Evans 58), Adair, McVeigh, McDowell (Moffett 35), Baker. Unused Subs: Harrison.