How Foyle Cup treated fans to a goal-laden day
LARNE Youth saw off a spirited Hillsborough Boys side in the pick of the games on the second day of the O’Neills Foyle Cup.
Larne triumphed in the Under-12s clash with a convincing 6-0 victory over the Co Down side, with striker Mcauley Johnston netting himself a hat-trick.
It was even in the first half with two penalty shouts, one at either end, both waved away by the referee.
Indeed, Hillsborough had the best chance of the half with Carlos Braniff ’s shot going wide of the upright.
That changed dramatically in the first two minutes of the second period with Larne scoring twice to take complete control of the tie.
Further goals midway through the match finished the game off as a contest, and only good goalkeeping by Hillsborough stopper Reuben Hampton kept the score to six.
Striker Johnston has thus far raised eyebrows at Templemore having netted five goals in two games and has already ensured he is the dangerman in this section — he is definitely one to look out for as the tournament progresses.
Meanwhile, in the Under-14 section, Mickey Barr’s young charges Derry Colts were well beaten 3-1 by Ballymoney Academy at Thornhill.
Two first-half goals by striker Paul Kelpie and centre-back Jacek Kedzierski put the Blues 2-0 up at half-time and they looked in control.
Fifteen minutes into the second half Colts pulled a goal back through Darragh Stewart, only to concede a third within minutes when, from a corner on the right, Kelpie was again on hand to score to put the result beyond doubt.
Despite two late attempts from Colts to get back into the game, Ballymoney held on for a convincing victory that sees them emerge as one of the favourites in the section.
Elsewhere, local side Trojans saw off American opponents Dorchester Youths in an Under-16 clash at Creggan last night
by a comfortable scoreline of 5-1.
The more experienced Trojans led 2-0 at half-time against their opposition, who hail from Massachusetts, with goals from Tiernan Devine followed by a powerful header from a corner by centre-back Shea Frazer.
This was added to in the sec-
ond period with three more goals, the best a 20-yard piledriver from Ryan McIntyre.
Yesterday also saw the teams embark on the opening parade to officially start the tournament in Londonderry.
The teams began the parade at the Ulster University’s Magee
campus before making their way into the city centre to the Guildhall where they were met by Mayor John Boyle.
Today sees another full round of fixtures throughout the northwest, with days one and two witnessing magnificent crowds at most venues.