Redcastle lift West End Cup 31.03.11
West End League Cup Final

Aileach...0 Redcastle United...1 (Murphy) by Caoimhinn Barr at Maginn Park (Photo: Herbie Barr) BRIAN Bell’s dismal record in cup finals came back to haunt him at Maginn Park on March 25 but this time it was the fans of Redcastle United who went home with wide smiles on their faces. Hundreds of Foyle Park supporters, armed with red and black flags and banners, rejoiced after Brendan Murphy’s second-half volley against Aileach secured the first trophy of the season and the first for Redcastle in the post-Bell era. In front of a huge crowd of more than three hundred on a perfect night at Inishowen League HQ, new United manager John Logue achieved at the first attempt what the club’s former boss could never seem to - victory in a cup final. The new Aileach management team of Brian Bell and Martin Rea cut frustrated figures on the Maginn sideline as their talented team failed to create enough openings in the final third to trouble a Redcastle defence marshaled superbly by Cathal Faulkner and Barry Kearney. Full-backs Seamus Doherty and Liam Davenport were similar towers of strength on the flanks. Captain Faulkner deserves particular mention for a passionate performance, which inspired the men in red and black around him. A local man who leads by example, Faulkner won his battle with Aileach frontman Charlie McCormick, restricting his former teammate to scraps of possession throughout. Another star on a night to remember for Redcastle was Brian ‘Banjo’ Tracey. When Bell left to begin his Aileach adventure much of the local football fraternity assumed that his star player would follow. Not so. Tracey remains at Redcastle and remains the team’s best player. He may not be as explosive as he once was but he can still find time and space where others are left searching for breath. When his team needed him most that Friday night, Tracey was everywhere to be found; tormenting the Aileach defence and midfield, retaining crucial second-half possession and carving out a number of chances, one of which was expertly converted by Brendan Murphy. Had Tracey, like Bell, swapped the red and black for yellow and blue, Aileach would be celebrating their first success for seven years. Instead Redcastle continued their winning habit. Written-off at the start of the season by large sections of the local football community, including many of their own supporters, Redcastle played with a point to prove. Their desire, determination and drive were too much for an Aileach team of individuals, including three ex-Redcastle men, still trying to find their feet. Sparking the Aileach attack into life for the last 25 minutes, winger Gary Collett went close with a late, late effort while Ryan McCreadie earlier fired over when he should have hit the target. Jimmy Gallagher, another former Foyle Park man, shot straight at Johnny Noone towards the end of the first-half. That was it for Aileach though on an abject night when their attackers did not knit as a unit. In a cagey opening period Aileach winger Ciaran Craig dragged an early chance wide following good work by veteran Stephen O’Donnell before Redcastle trio Brian Tracey, Gavin McCauley and Sean Curran forced a corner at the other end. An excellent run and shot by Colm McLaughlin led to quickfire opportunities for Curran and the excellent Andy Porter as Redcastle began to look more threatening. A Charlie McCormick corner was volleyed wide by Aileach defender James Gillespie before Cathal Faulkner and Liam Davenport put their bodies on the line to block a close-range Ciaran Craig effort. Aileach striker McCormick then sent Jimmy Gallagher racing clear through the middle but the former Redcastle player’s tame effort was easily gathered by Johnny Noone. In the last action of the first-half Andy Porter’s arrowed free-kick was well saved by Aileach keeper Gerard Crossan diving low to his left. The second period was less than two minutes old when Brendan Murphy fired home to spark scenes of unbridled joy among the massive Redcastle following. Liam Davenport, Brian Tracey and Sean Curran combined brilliantly on the right and when the ball arrived in the centre Crossan could only parry Andy Porter’s powerful header allowing Murphy to pounce on the rebound and smash the ball home. With Tracey in commanding form Redcastle were threatening again when Seamus Doherty’s drive was deflected wide off Damien Barr. Thereafter Aileach enjoyed the lion’s share of possession with Tracey launching sporadic Redcastle breaks. After the hour mark a Ciaran Craig through ball found Ryan McCreadie in space on the edge of the box but the Aileach frontman’s rushed effort flew inches over Johnny Noone’s crossbar. Substitute Gary Collett breathed life into the Aileach attack with a couple of threatening crosses from wide areas before the same player’s shot was saved by Noone. The Inch men appealed for a penalty after Charlie McCormick’s cross was blocked behind late on. At the other end Brian Tracey almost sealed a Redcastle victory when his header from Colm McLaughlin’s cross flew narrowly wide before Aileach’s last chance of forcing extra-time fell to Collett, who saw his angled shot brillianty saved by Noone. Redcastle celebrated a famous victory soon after.

Add to Favorites :: Return to > Sports    > News    > Home