Armstrong proud of his Orchard Farm side

Orchard Farm 3 Augher Stars 5 (AET)

AUGHER Stars booked their place in the Mulhern Cup semi-final after two goals in extra time saw them complete a stunning comeback as they came from 3-1 down at Castle Park.

Jordan Longhurst’s goal put Orchard Farm 3-1 up just before half-time but goals from Sam Barrett, Travis Charleton, Sean Mckenna and Rory Mcelroy saw

Augher eventually run out 5-3 winners.

It caps a successful few weeks for Stars who sealed promotion to ensure Mercer League football next season.

Stars got off to a slow start as Orchard Farm controlled possession for the opening 10 minutes and made it 1-0 when Winston Moran’s cross was tapped into the net by Niall Cosgrove.

Sean Quigley was forced off after a heavy challenge to deliver a blow to Farm and five minutes later it was 1-1 when Matthew Mcsorley converted at the second time of asking after goalkeeper Kuba

Isbaner saved his penalty despite Farm’s protests that the foul, for the spot kick, occurred outside the box.

However, Farm reacted well and they found themselves 3-1 ahead in a frantic 10-minute period leading up to half-time as Fergal Mckenna applied two neat finishes for a quick brace.

Augher managed to hit back before half-time as Fintan Kelly weaved his way through a couple of challenges before finding Barrett to make it 3-2.

Augher improved in the second half and took charge in the centre of the park before finding an equaliser with around 20 minutes to go when Charleton tapped home a drilled cross. After a nervy ending to normal time, Sean Mckenna would find the winner with a 25-yard rocket into the top-left corner.

Stars made sure of the win when Mcelroy scored directly from the kick-off at the start of the secondhalf in extra time. Augher will look forward to their second Mulhern Cup semi-final in three years with Farm player-manager Stewart Armstrong left frustrated with some of Saturday’s decisions.

“I couldn’t be any prouder of the lads, we went into it with some sickness in the camp, we had boys going through the mill for us, the lads put in some effort,” Armstrong said.

“Augher deserved to win it with the chances they had, but I was very disappointed with some of the decisions, I thought none of the 50/50s and the penalty, for me it wasn’t a tight call.

“Any good referee should be on top of that but that’s the disappointing thing.

“Quarter-finals of the Mulhern you want the top officials and we felt hard done by but Augher deserved it, they had plenty of chances to win the game and we wish them all the best.”