Last Sunday the Glentoran Legends re-assembled in Ballynahinch for a very special fundraiser in aid of the Air Ambulance Fund. Organised by the Ballynahinch Glentoran Supporters Club.
Sadly though coming into the game the Glentoran Legends suffered a few cry offs and were only able to muster a side of eleven players on the day. HoweveR, it did allow a few of the Ballynahinch GSC members to become “Legends “ for the day as they helped fill the subs bench. Unfortunately , Paul Leeman fell ill with Covid on the eve of the game and asked former Legends manager , Philip Stevenson if he could help out for the day , which he was delighted to do.
The game began with the Legends quick to find their feet and took the lead within ten minutes when Justin mc Bride opened the scoring with a great strike. However, goal of the game came five minutes later when Davy Rainey lobbed the Ballynahinch goalkeeper from about 30 yards . A real flash of brilliance from Davy, which brought great applause from the sizeable crowd in attendance.
Just before the break Legends midfielder , Marty Hunter bravely put his head where others wouldn’t put their feet to head in the third for the Legends. However , just before the half time whistle a long ball caught the Legends on the hop and Ballynahinch’s forward nipped in to slot home to make it 3-1 at half-time.
Legends management team of Tommy Leeman and Philip Stevenson opted not to make changes at half-time and were rewarded with a fourth goal and second for Justin Mc Bride.
With the score now at 4-1 to the Legends it gave a chance for the some of the Legends, Rab Mc Creery ,Alan Gracey and Marty Hunter to take a break and in their place some dedicated Glentoran fans in Tim Lennon ,Dax Graham and Andrew Rendall got their fifteen minutes of fame in a Glentoran Legends shirt.
With ten minutes left there was one final change when young Noah Parker , son of Darren Parker came on for Justin Mc Bride. It would be a wonderful ten minutes for 14 year old Noah as he netted twice and was cruelly called up for being offside when he was about to net his hat-trick. However, young Noah can be rightly proud of his performance.
6-1 in the end for the Legends , which was a terrific performance with a weakened team but as always the winner on the day was the charity , the Air Ambulance Fund. After the game both sides , enjoyed some refreshments before a raffle , auction and leg waxing took place to help raise funds for the charity. In the end, it was wonderful to hear that £1000 had been raised. A terrific amount and all credit and thank must go to the members of the Ballynahinch GSC for their invite and everyone’s efforts on the day , on and off the park.
Well done everyone.
Glentoran Legends side
Stefan Graham , Rab mc Creery , Mark Glendinning , Darren Parker , Tom Cleland , Barney Bowers , Jonathan Bowers , Alan Gracey , Marty Hunter , Justin Mc Bride , Davy Rainey
Subs, Noah Parker , Tim Lennon , Dax Graham , Andrew Rendall
The Glentoran Legends are proudly sponsored by the Glentoran Gazette
