‘Sixy’ Ballymacash complete the set
The win gives Ballymacash their first ever Ironside Cup success and also means they have now won every trophy in the South Antrim League.
The first free-kick of the game was awarded after 75 seconds and Ballymacash took full advantage of it. They gained an early lead when Ryan Graham headed home the opener. He had scored four in the semi-final win over Braniel YM and he certainly wasn’t over-awed by the occasion of the Cup final as he went on to hit a hat-trick.
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Hide AdHowever, even that wasn’t enough to pick up the accolade of the top performer on the day. He was out-done by Jordan Johnson. He picked up the man of the match award after pulling all the strings for a rampant Ballymacash. Johnson was was an ever-present threat out on the right with his pace and power.
Warren probably had the better scoring chances in the first-half but ‘Cash were always dangerous and added a second goal on 35 minutes. Stuart Williamson had come on as a substitute two minutes earlier but he got into the pace of the game immediately by providing a stunning finish low into the corner of the net.
It got worse for Warren when Jonny Kerr was sent-off for a two-footed challenge, meaning they were two goals down and reduced to ten men at half-time.
Ballymacash came back out with all guns blazing again in the second-half, but the next big incident was a double sending off. Chris Cairns and Martin Greenfield fell in a tangle, but Ballymacash’s Greenfield was unfortunate to get his marching orders.
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Hide AdTwo more goals followed for ‘Cash through Graham and Johnson, who deservedly got on the score-sheet.
Mark Donaghy pulled one back for Warren to make it 4-1 but the closing three minutes brought two more Ballymacash goals in almost comical tap-in situations, although not in the slightest funny for Warren.
Johnson added his own second soon after and then the stage was cleared for Graham to completed his hat-trick, both of those late goals coming from goal-line situations.
A fitting finale it was to the tournament and one that will live long in the memory for everyone involved with Ballymacash YM.
The South Antrim League, though, must be happy enough with a bumper Boxing Day attendance.