MARTIN MAGUIRE’S second-half double fired Glenea United Reserves into the final of the Voodoo Venue Cup – and keeps alive their treble hopes.
Glenea United Reserves 2 Strand Rovers 0
Maguire struck on 52 and 63 minutes to fire the Glasserchoo men into a final against Glencar Celtic.
Maguire’s goals mean that Glenea remain on course for a treble haul of silverware.
They have one remaining game in the Old Orchard Saturday Division and a win away to Keadue Rovers will seal the title while they still have an Ulster Shield semi-final to look forward to.
Glenea bossed this one pretty much from start to finish.
They fired an early warning shot when Daniel Cannon shot wide on two minutes before Paddy Cannon headed over from a promising position.
Strand weren’t completely obliging opponents and Adam McHugh’s shot from just outside the box went just past the post, although Glenea goalkeeper Ciaran Gallagher seemed to have it covered.
The lively Ciaran McGeady riffled over when well placed and he turned provider for Dan Cannon, who fired wide.
McGeady should have had a go himself when fed by Martin Doohan, put he instead square to Maguire and Kevin McGovern collected.
Seven minutes into the second half, Glenea broke the deadlock.
Kevin Doohan picked up possession on the left flank, got around his man and fired a brilliant cross into the box. Maguire didn’t seem to have full control of the destination, but the ball ended up in the net nonetheless.
If there was an element of good fortune about his first, there was none whatsoever about the second.
Dan Cannon and Tommy Rogers combined to play in Maguire and his magnificent effort from 18 yards gave McGovern no chance.
Cannon was wide with McGovern beaten as Glenea sought a third. Sub Micheál McHugh very nearly got number three, but McGovern denied him.
Glenea United Reserves: Ciaran Gallagher; Ciaran Boyce (Shaun McClafferty 82), Kevin Doohan, Padraig McGee, Paddy Cannon, Eugene Maguire, Chris Cannon, Martin Maguire, Daniel Cannon (Tommy Rogers 52), Ciaran McGeady, Martin Doohan (Micheál McHugh 64).
Strand Rovers: Kevin McGoveern, Aidan O’Donnell (Declan Boyle 68), Gerard Diver, Doalty Boyle, Stephen Glackin, James McCole, Eddie McGeehin, Darragh Hanlon, Adam McHugh, Shaun McMillan, Paddy Glackin.
Referee: Joe McHugh.
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