If you find yourself at a loose end this coming bank holiday Monday (6th May), why not come along to the Ballymena Showgrounds and support the Academy Under 11 and 12 sides in the Northern Ireland Boys FA Cup Finals?
The Under 11s are certainly deserving of their place in the Final having disposed of all of their main rivals at that age group in Linfield, Ridgeway Rovers and Dungannon Swifts. The boys have only been beaten twice in almost a year, and one of those occasions was after extra time in a Shield match. Ballymena United now stand in their way of becoming Northern Ireland Champions, and subsequent qualification to All-Ireland Competitions.
The Under 12s face Dungannon Swifts in their Final as they look to become the first Glentoran Academy team to defend the trophy following last seasons 1-0 win over Ridgeway in the Showpiece Final. The 12s have also progressed very well this season after a slow start, and represented the club with honour in two separate All-Ireland Finals losing very narrowly 1-0 to Crumlin United of Dublin, and 3-2 after extra time to the North Dublin Schoolboys League.
Both teams came through very tough Semi-Final ties with the 11s defeating Ridgeway Rovers 1-0 after extra time, and the 12s beating Coleraine 2-1 in normal time. Young U11 player Barry Baggley the hero in both games scoring all 3 of Glentorans goals!!
Earlier results in the competition were as follows:
UNDER 11s
Round 1 – Glentoran 1 v 0 Carryduff Colts
2nd Rd – Glentoran 3 v 1 Linfield
3rd Rd - Glentoran 5 v 1 Ballymoney United
Q/F – Dungannon Swifts 2 v 3 Glentoran (AET)
S/F – Glentoran 1 v 0 Ridgeway Rovers (AET)
Final – Glentoran v Ballymena United (6th May 2013 – 11.30am)
UNDER 12s
Round 1 - Bye
2nd Rd - Glentoran 5 v 1 Carniny Youth
3rd Rd - Glentoran 5 v 2 Northend United
4th Rd – Lisburn Distillery 0 v 4 Glentoran
Q/F – Carrick Rangers 2 v 6 Glentoran
S/F – Glentoran 2 v 1 Coleraine
Final – Glentoran v Dungannon Swifts (6th May 2013 – 1.30pm)
On Monday the boys will experience all the excitement of their own Irish Cup Final Day as they will meet at The Oval for a light breakfast in the McCleans Suite before departing along with 2 bus loads of eager parents and fans.
Very best of luck to the boys, and let’s hope they can bring the Cups back to the Oval, but whatever happens, enjoy the occasion above all !
Games are 30 mins each way with Extra Time & Penalties if required.