Irish Cup Final 2022

Words Natalie Bowles and Nigel Tilson

QUARTER-FINALS The weather could not have been more different than in Fermanagh in the previous round. The blue sky lit up Seaview for a much more exciting game which saw Crusaders reach the semi-finals courtesy of a 4-2 win over Dungannon Swifts. The home side started strongly and scored on 31 minutes when Josh Robinson powerfully headed home a looping ball delivered from a corner. The nerves of Crusaders fans were not settled for long. Seven minutes after the opening goal Rhyss Campbell was brought down in the area and a penalty awarded to the Swifts. James Knowles sent the goalkeeper the wrong way, levelling the scores going in to the break. Early in the second half Dungannon took the lead via a solo run from Campbell and a well placed shot that flew past Jonathan Tuffey into the bottom corner. Crusaders dug deep and worked the ball into the Swifts’ box. Kennedy expertly chipped the ball over the keeper to equalise just before the hour mark. Chances kept coming for both sides but super sub Jordan Owens decided the tie with two goals in the dying minutes. After only being on the pitch for a matter of minutes the striker rose well to score with a header. A hard-fought victory was then sealed when Owens got on the end of a Kennedy cross and blasted the ball into the top of the net.

SEMI-FINAL A north Belfast derby was staged across town at the National Stadium as the Reds and Crues met in the last four of this season’s Samuel Gelston’s Whiskey Irish Cup. Cliftonville opened the scoring early when Levi Ives drove the ball into the box towards Joe Gormley – and the striker perfectly angled his right foot to steer the ball between the goalkeeper and post. The Reds were controlling the game at this stage, keeping possession in the middle of the park and lobbing balls down the channels for Paul O’Neill to chase down. A disallowed goal prevented Cliftonville from doubling their lead as the assistant referee correctly called for offside. Despite the Cliftonville defence looking relatively relaxed, with Jonny Addis imperious, Crusaders levelled the scores on 35 minutes. Reds keeper Luke McNicholas failed to deal with a ball into the box. It fell for Clarke on the right side of the area and he duly fired it across the face of goal into the net despite McNicholas' best efforts. In first half stoppage time Crusaders moved in front in somewhat scrappy fashion. A corner was flicked on to the back post for captain Billy Joe Burns to get the final touch and turn it home. Their second goal put Crusaders in the driving seat and they produced a defensive masterclass after the break to repel the Reds. Cliftonville had plenty of possession without really threatening the Crusaders goal. Stephen Baxter’s charges comfortably saw out the game to take their place in the decider.

29

www.irishfa.com