Superb Foyle Cup for Ballycastle U16s

Both teams played similar styles of football setting it up for a fantastic final and it lived up to expectations with Dylan McMullan pulling some great saves early on before Kearney and Kilgore tested the Harps keeper. It was Ballycastle who made the break through first the on-form Kilgore firing past the keeper to put the town up 0-1.

Finn Harps responded with a breaking ball in the box fired in by McMullan to amke it 1-1. Both teams cancelled each other out early on before a chip over the top for Kearney to try and finish saw a last gasp tackle clear the danger but resulting in a Kearney injury. The boys kept pushing with some free kicks from Kearney and McCurdy but couldn’t make the breakthrough. Finn Harps responded and some composed goalkeeping and authority from Dylan McMullan kept them at bay but Finn Harps scored a headed goal before half time.

The second half saw Finn Harps scoring on their first attack after a snapshot was misjudged by McMullan. The lads didn’t drop their heads and dominated the second half. Finn Harps keeper pulled off an unbelievable save to deny Ben McQuillan. Ballycastle continued to look for the comeback but it wasn’t to be as some last ditch defending from Finn Harps denied Boyd, Kilgore and Campbell. In the final few minutes Ballycastle made five changes to give everyone an opportunity to experience the tournament and Finn Harps scored late on to secure a 4-1 victory. Credit to the lads who fought right to the final whistle and never gave up. They played some fantastic football all week and should be very proud of themselves. It takes a lot of heart to play five games and in five days and what a achievement to finish sixth in their first Foyle Cup.