Congratulations to both the Glentoran U14s and U15s who today joined the Glentoran first team in winning the 2015 Irish Cup. At Cookstown's Mid-Ulster Sports Arena both teams receiving fantastic support on way to victory. Both games were packed with goals, incident, drama and individual brilliance.
The U15s were up first against Linfield at 11.30am. The game didn't start to plan for the wee Glens, going behind early on but what a response was to come. Directly from the kick off from going 1-0 behind Glentoran passed beautifully up the left and Jack Henderson shot a goal. The Linfield keeper saved the shot well but Paul O'Neill was alert to swivel and fire home to equalise immediately for The Glens.
The Glens took control of the first half and Jack Henderson gave us the lead with a fantastic curling effort into the top corner. Half time 2-1 Glentoran. The second half saw a nervy 10 minute period were Linfield regained control in the game equalising and Oliver Webber pulled off a fantastic save at 2-2 to keep the game level. Once again though, the U15s showed their quality and roared back playing some fantastic football. Centre midfielder Caolan Boydmunce picked up the ball and smashed a left foot shot over 30yrds out which pinged into the top corner to give Glentoran a 3-2 lead. A fantastic goal worthy of winning any cup final! But there was still time for a 4th stunner as Rhys McCloy from the bench finished wonderfully with a left foot lob from the edge of the area.
The game ended in a slight anti-climax with a severe injury picked up to Linfield player Gerard Maguire. Gerard used to be a player at Glentoran Academy and we would like to offer our best wishes in his recovery. He was up and walking after the game though which is positive news! Glentoran had won The Cup though for the second straight year!
The U14s were next at 3.30pm against Cliftonville. We started fantastically well with Christopher Conn going close in the opening 60 seconds. It didn't take long for the breakthrough though. The hero of the semi-final Ethan Galbraith who scored an incredible 5 times was at it again. This time he picked up the ball midway in the Cliftonville half, running past 4 Cliftonville players and finishing brilliantly in off the post. Glentoran soon had a 2 goal advantage, this time Eoin Brown turned well on the edge of the box before curling well into the far corner.
Cliftonville bounced back instantly grabbing a vital goal before the break. Everything was different in the second half as Cliftonville showed their quality as much as we could and the game was a fantastic battle of end to end chances. Paul McLaughlin in the Glentoran goal was the savior making a number of fantastic saves but he watched in vein as Cliftonville equalised then took the lead at 3-2. It was looking lost for Glentoran but showing tremendous character we bounced back through an Ethan Galbraith penalty.
A fantastic match went to extra-time and not for the first time on the day, Glentoran scored a goal worthy of any final. This time it came from unlikely hero Mal Smyth from right back. Mal is one of the most important players on the side for his energy and determination for the squad but scoring world class goals isn't usually his forte! When he stepped up for a 30yrd effort you could have been forgiven for not feeling but confident but the ball crashed into the top corner sending the loud Glentoran following into fantastic celebrations.
Congratulations to both sides on a fantastic victory, putting an end to a wonderful bank holiday weekend for the football club. COYG!!