Murphy's double sees Bellurgan U15s pip Rock to Martin 'Buster' McGee Cup final win

U15 Martin McGee Cup final

Bellurgan United 2-1 Rock Celtic

Bellurgan United U15s completed a league and cup double on Wednesday night after lifting the Martin (Buster) McGee Cup to follow their league title win two weeks ago. 

Bellurgan came into this game as favourites and they lived up to their expectations with a dominant first-half display. 

Bellurgan United's Cian Murphy celebrates his opening goal. (Pic: Ciarán Culligan)

Bellurgan got quickly into the action and created the first real chance of the game in the eighth minute when captain Quinn Ryan saw his terrific effort bounce off the crossbar. A neat exchange minutes later between the skilful Ryan O’Kane and Calum O’Hanlon ended with a chance for O’Kane to break the deadlock on 18 minutes but he dragged his shot wide. 

It came as no surprise that goal-machine Cian Murphy opened the scoring a few minutes later when O’Kane’s brilliant left-wing delivery planted the ball on the unmarked striker's head. And the Peninsula side needed just 45 seconds of the second half to double that lead. Again, it was another deep O’Kane delivery and this time Murphy arrived at the back post to volley home. 

Bellurgan almost added a third soon after when Ryan rolled a short corner to O’Kane who set-up Seán Murden, but he fired straight into the grateful hands of Jack Donohue. 

At this stage, Bellurgan were content to sit on their lead and almost paid the price as Rock produced two good chances in their best spell of the game. First, Emmanuel Adebagya sent over a cross destined for the incoming Mark Gallagher, but Bellurgan defender Calvin Akinyele intercepted with his head and then Gallagher’s corner-kick found the head of Tom Matthews, though the ball was somehow scrambled away to safety. 

Then, with the clock ticking down, the Seasiders cut the lead in half when McKeown forced home another good Gallagher cross. 

But that’s how it ended, 2-1 to Bellurgan, and, although Rock produced a stirring late comeback, the best team won on the night.

Bellurgan United: Paul Brennan, Conor Dorris, Ronan Cotter, Calvin Akinyele, Gabriel Ayoub, Conor Conway, Quinn Ryan, Cian Murphy, Adam Hanna, Calum O’Hanlon, Gerard O’Hanlon, Thomas McCarraher, Evan Lui, Ryan O’Kane, Seán Murden, Daimanus Cernivns

Rock Celtic: Jack Donohue, Moyo Adebanjo, Gavin Lynch, Tom Matthews, Lesley Ezahahe, Louis McKeown, Seán Connor, Gavin Gilmore, Daniel Nordone, Emmanuel Adebagya, Mark Gallagher, Fionn Kenny, Evan McEnteggart, Kelly Ohahi, Dylan McGuill, Tadgh Corr, Niall Lennon

Referee: Niall Minto. Assistants: Stephen Donnan and Peter Burns jnr.