County Down 8
West Cork Academy 0
County Down opened up the Premier section of the SuperCupNI 2024 at the Coleraine Showgrounds with an emphatic victory over West Cork Academy.
The county side displayed confidence and exuberance and were on top form from the offset. The first goal came in the second minute after Down winger Stephen Kelly’s effort cannoned off the post but fell to Oliver Peoples to tap in. The fast start continued with Cal Weatherup adding a second. The winger dispossessed defender Ronan Hayes before driving at goal and firing home at the near post. Down extended their advantage shortly thanks to great work from left back Coist Walker, who delivered an inch perfect cross for Kelly to poke past Cork keeper Rory Curtin. Moments later, Shay Reid created another opening by whipping a delicious cross across the face of goal, but no one was on hand to meet it.
The football on display at the Coleraine Showgrounds was very impressive and the Co. Down onslaught wasn’t slowing down as they added two quick-fire goals.
Glentoran midfielder Jack Faloona played a deft one-two with Peoples and rifled a right foot finish into the back of the net. Then came the pick of the bunch, Stephen Kelly received the ball on the right, cut inside to his stronger left foot and curled a sublime effort into the top left corner. Keeper Rory Curtin totally helpless. The scoreline became 6 before the interval as Kelly teed up striker Shay Reid who added his name to the scoresheet.
Credit due to West Cork who showed spirit and fight in the second thirty-five. Down proceeded to dominate possession but it wasn’t until fifteen minutes from time that they had a chance to make it seven. That opportunity was not passed up by Daire Trainor. The substitute was played through on goal and finished it coolly. West Cork responded by testing substitute goalkeeper Eoghan McNulty who was called upon to deny Christos Delis to preserve the Down clean sheet. With five minutes left on the clock, Down rounded off their outstanding performance with an eighth goal. Trainor turned provider to tee up Ben Wilson for a handy tap-in.
A relentless display from County Down who put their opponents to the sword early doors and laid down a marker in the SuperCupNI Premier section.
Words from Harvey Latimer