Glentoran Under 14s travelled to Ballymoney on May Day to play in the Northern Ireland Boys FA Cup Final.
The Glens extra time victory over Linfield in the Semi Final at Seaview a month ago set up the Final clash with Limavady Youth, who had knocked out Ballymena United in their Semi Final.
Limavady, fresh from clinching promotion to the National League A Section where they will face the Glens in league action next season, started the game brightly with a gale force win at their backs.
The wind made it very difficult for the Glens to clear their lines early on as they struggled to get their foot on the ball and Limavady went close as they attacked a couple of long throw ins, although they never troubled goalkeeper Webber with a direct shot on goal.
The Glens broke clear with their first real attack of the game and Ben Redpath showed his trade mark electric pace as he burned away from the Limavady full back and cut across goal, but Limavady's centra half got a vital block in as Ben just hesitated a little to get the shot away.
Glentoran's next attack led to Limavady conceding a corner, Lorenzo Dawkins centred the set piece and Gerard Maguire reacted first, helping the ball towards the goal, Josh Tipping pounced and from 8 yards placed the ball beyond the keeper for 1-0.
Limavady continued to use the elements to their advantage and played a direct style that had the Glens on the back foot, however the could not capitalise on the territorial advantage and it was the Glens who scored again soon after. Again it was that man Tipping as he raced onto a through ball from Dawkins to beat Limavady's offside trap and put the Glens two in front.
Josh finished with a blockbuster effort across the keeper from 18 yards.
Glentoran seen the game out to half time and must have felt that the tie was well in their favour as they held a two goal lead and would have the strong wind in their favour in the second half.
So it proved as Glentoran pinned Limavady back in their own half for most of the second half and created plenty of chances. It was Matthew Lee who added to the scoring next as he made a brilliant late run into the penalty area to convert Ross Tharma's cross for 3-0.
Ross Tharma was enjoying a brilliant second half as the marauding full back was over lapping at every opportunity to fire in crosses and he went close to scoring when he seen his powerful effort well saved by the keeper at his near post.
Padraig Slane has been somewhat of a cup talisman this season as he inspired a miraculous come back in round four away to St Oliver Plunkett - Glentoran trailed that game 4-0, having had their keeper sent off and somehow staged a remarkable fight back, pulling it back to 4-1 with just 15 minutes remaining before running out 6-4 winners! Padraig scored twice and made two assists in that game before assisting the winner in the Quarter Finals and he was at it again in the Final as he beat two men to square to Ben Redpath who fired home number 4.
Ben displaying why he is the teams leading scorer this season as his first time finish was expertly tucked away for his 28th goal of the season - not bad for a right winger!
Lorenzo Dawkins made it 5-0 as he finished off a fine flowing move that started with right centre back Callum Carson, he switched it to Adam McAleenan at left centre back and Adam carried it out of defence and found James McCarthy on the left wing, James took a touch played in the overlapping Ethan Warnock who beat his marker and found Slane who chipped to the near post where Kyle Toan rose highest but seen his header blocked, as the ball fell for Dawkins he rifled into the roof of the net - a real collectors item with his right foot!
Padraig Slane rounded off the scoring as he fired in direct from a corner for 6-0.
Many congratulations to Limavady as they competed well for long periods of the game and certainly played their part in an entertaining final for the neutral.
Congratulations to Glentoran on a fantastic win and some fine performances from players showing they have what it takes to knock on Eddie Patterson's door in the coming seasons
Finally congratulations also to Joseph McMullan and Oliver Webber who were both called into the Northern Ireland under 15 squad for a trip to Estonia to play in two international games - a remarkable achievement to play for your Country and even more so to do it playing a year up!
On the down side Joseph picked up and ankle injury playing in a trial match for Rangers at Easter and unfortunately had to withdraw from the squad. Oliver however, went direct from the final to meet up at the team hotel in preparation for departure to Tallin on Tuesday, everyone at the Academy wishes him all the very best for a great experience this week.
The squad for the NI Cup Final
Oliver Webber
Ross Tharma
Ryan Doherty (c)
Callum Carson
Adam McAleenan
Matthew Lee
Gerard Maguire
Lorenzo Dawkins
Ben Redpath
Kyle Toan
Josh Tipping
Ethan Warnock
Nathan Hamilton
Padraig Slane
James McCarthy
Joseph McMullan
Paul O'Neill (cup tied)