Cup joy for Blackforge after win over Glasnaion

BLACKFORGE FC picked up the UCFL MMI Cup in Frank Cooke Park on Saturday, when they got the better of Glasnaion FC in a great final on a 4-2 scoreline reports John Mooney.

The Forge are made up of experience and youth, and it was also great to see Michael Plunkett back on the field again after a prolonged absence.

Despite being a final, they usually can be dull and cagey, this was a really open contest with both sides going at it hell for leather.

Glasnaion went in front on 15 minutes after Andrew Hedderman threaded a pass into Ryan Fullam, and he was never going to miss from close range.

That rocked the Forge but they were back in the game on 30 minutes, when Anthony Griffiths was on hand to slot home from just inside the area.

There were a couple of scary moments for the Forge keeper Glen Gough as the half drew to a close but he survived, and with a couple of substitutes at the break they came out a completely different animal.

Just six minutes after the restart and the Forge were in front, when Alan Quinn played an inch perfect pass to Plunkett who drew the keeper and slotted home via a post.

UCFL chairman Paraic Treynor presents Blackforge FC’s Craig O’Callaghan with the MMI Cup after their win over Glasnaion FC in the final. Photos by John Mooney

All of a sudden you could see the confidence rate rise and, after a couple of near misses, they went 3-1 up with a brilliant overhead kick from Craig O’Callaghan with 20 minutes remaining.

Ten minutes later Adam Griffiths made it 4-1 when he was quick to pounce in the area, rob keeper Conor Boland and rolled the ball home.

In fairness Glasnaion never gave up the chase and were rewarded with their second of the afternoon, when Brandon Kenna netted in the 90th minute.

All that was left was for referee Karl Nolan to sound the final whistle to start the celebrations for the Blackforge side.

BLACKFORGE FC: G. Gough, D. Howe, C. Gough, L. Johnson, C. O’Callaghan, D. Suttcliffe, A. Griffiths, T. Doran, A. King, D. Collins, L Freeman, J. Fagan, A. Griffiths, P. Byrne, A. Quinn, J. DaSilva