Niall McCloskey was the unlikely hero for Ballybofey United as the Twin Towns men eked out a memorable win over Rathmullan Celtic to capture the Brian McCormick Cup this afternoon in Bonagee.
Ballybofey United 1 Rathmullan Celtic 0
Extra time loomed when Ballybofey carved out what would prove to be the crucial goal. A deep free kick by Brian Lafferty in the direction of Shaun McGowan was headed out into the path of Mark Griffin, whose attempted cross found Damien Glackin. Facing away from goal, Griffin tucked out to his left-back, McCloskey, who took a touch before unleashing the game’s decisive shot.
McCloskey’s left-footed shot took a slight deflection and flew beyond Rathmullan goalkeeper Mark Gallagher to complete a famous League and Cup double for the Finnsiders and completes an unbeaten season in Donegal League competition.
There were 86 minutes on the clock when McCloskey was wheeling away in delight. Goals from the dependable number 3 are a rarity, so precious he was unable to recall the last time he’d hit the net when asked afterwards.
But his name goes down in history now and it was certainly a goal for the annals of Ballybofey United’s history; a club that just a couple of years ago that was entangled in a High Court battle over their pitch, which threatened their very existence.
They’re rebuilding on and off the field now, with two pieces of silverware now – the Brian McCormick Cup to go alongside the Division Two title – for the sideboard at their new facility at Dreenan.
Ballybofey were in search of their first Cup success since collecting the IAWS Cup in 1978. Then, Danny Rouse, Seamus Lafferty and Noel McGowan were the goalscorers in a 3-1 win over Letterkenny Rovers, in a game also played at Dry Arch Park. That one, almost 39 years ago now, was decided in a replay following a 2-2 draw in the first meeting, when Joe Houston netted a 98th minute equaliser at Finn Park.
Many former players – including Cork City captain Johnny Dunleavy, whose brother Rory was on the Ballybofey team – were among a big crowd on a day when they weather was both temperamental and indecisive.
Ballybofey thought they had broken the deadlock in the 26th minute and they would have but for a goal-line intervention by Rathmullan right-back JP Doran.
Just as Griffin seemed set to tap home from Glackin’s dangerous ball across the goal face, after Shaun McGowan did well to keep possession at Ballybofey feet, Doran stretched to keep the ball out.
That came after Dunleavy’s shot just missed the far post when Gary Dunnion headed back across goal from a Brian Lafferty corner.
It had been who began the brighter with Gallagher doing well to save a Griffin drive from the left-hand side of the box.
Doran was to the rescue for Rathmullan earlier in the game, too, thwarting the advances of Glackin, after a move involving Alan Patton and Lafferty.
Rathmullan player-boss Dara Patton stung the palms of Chris Patton and late in the half the Ballybofey ‘keeper turned a free-kick from his namesake around the post.
It had been a sometimes tetchy, feisty affair, but a downpour at the start of the second half dampened more than the tempers, which had been threatening in spells to boil over.
Chances were at a premium in the early periods of the second half, with Eoin Sheridan firing into the arms of Patton, but it was Ballybofey who appeared the more likely.
Ronan McMenamin, after connecting with a Lafferty corner, headed over and Gallagher saved from McGowan at point-blank range.
Ballybofey upped the tempo and Lafferty, after getting the better of Reggie Miller and James Gallagher, drew a fine save from the tips of Gallagher’s fingers. Lafferty elected to shoot but, as he took aim, Gallagher flew out to his right to divert it out.
For Rathmullan, this competition had offered some hope from an otherwise disappointing season and a come-from-behind win over St Catherine’s and goals by Eoin Sheridan and Jude Patton fired them into a final they last won in 2013 when they overcame Glenea United.
They might well have hit the front 15 minutes from time but Kevin Doran’s header was blocked on the line before, at the other end, Glackin – Ballybofey’s hero in a 1-0 semi-final win over Keadue Rovers – managed to get free only to shoot tamely into Gallagher’s paws from a good position.
Soon, though, Glackin was rolling the ball into McCloskey’s path, the net was bulging and the party was underway.
Ballybofey United: Chris Patton; Ronan McMenamin; Gary Dunnion, Shaun McGowan, Niall McCloskey (Gavin Doherty 90); Brian Lafferty, Neil Lloyd, Rory Dunleavy, Mark Griffin (Darragh Redmond 87); Alan Patton, Damien Glackin.
Rathmullan Celtic: Mark Gallagher; JP Doran, Reggie Miller, Alan Boal, James Gallagher; Kevin Doran, James McCahill (Ryan Connolly 58), Eoin Sheridan, Dara Patton; Niall Caruthers, Gavin O’Donnell (Jude Patton 87).
Referee: Mick Lagan.
