Connolly the penalty shoot-out hero as Armagh lift cup

Armagh City secured a second Bob Radcliffe Cup title in three seasons with penalty shoot-out success over Loughgall at Lakeview Park.
By The Newsroom
Published 6th May 2016, 22:59 BST
Updated 7th May 2016, 00:02 BST
Tandragee-born Jordan Bell with some friends and supporters following Armagh City's success in the Bob Radcliffe Cup final on a penalty shoot-out victory against Loughgall.Tandragee-born Jordan Bell with some friends and supporters following Armagh City's success in the Bob Radcliffe Cup final on a penalty shoot-out victory against Loughgall.
Tandragee-born Jordan Bell with some friends and supporters following Armagh City's success in the Bob Radcliffe Cup final on a penalty shoot-out victory against Loughgall.

Former Cliftonville goalkeeper John Connolly produced two spot-kick saves to seal a 6-5 triumph for City after a scoreless 90 minutes and extra-time period.

The Mid-Ulster Football Association showpiece lacked clear sights of goal but City came close to breaking the deadlock with a first-half effort by Eamon Kelly that bounced off the post.

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Shea Campbell - who scored in last season’s Bob Radcliffe Cup final during defeat for Annagh United against Loughgall - slotted home City’s opening spot-kick in the shoot-out.

Warner Mullen left it level before Loughgall goalkeeper Gareth Buchanan got his hand to Stefan Lavery’s effort but was unable to prevent it from dropping over the line via the post.

Stuart Mallen kept Loughgall on level terms ahead of successful strikes by, respectively, Philip Donnelly and Graeme Taylor.

Sean Mallon put City in front by 4-3 ahead of Connolly’s first save to deny Ricky Copeland.

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Buchanan was on hand to stop Jordan Bell’s effort then Aaron Walsh made it 4-4.

Kelly and Daniel Ryan enjoyed success as the sides went to 5-5.

Andrew Hoey put the Armagh side in front before goalkeeper Buchanan then had his penalty attempt saved by Connolly to wrap up victory for City.

LOUGHGALL: Gareth Buchanan, Mark Carson, Graeme Taylor, Ricky Copeland, Nicky Hudson, Aaron Walsh, Steven Ferguson, Marcus Dallas, Warner Mullen, Daniel Ryan, Jamie Rea. Subs: Gary Henderson, Thai Blevins, Mark Dane, Jose Tavares, Stuart Mallen (on for Rea, 74 mins).

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ARMAGH CITY: John Connolly, Jordan Bell, Sean Mallon, Eoin Toal, Dara Noonan, Eamon Kelly, Andrew Hoey, Stefan Lavery, Shea Campbell, Philip Donnelly, Shea McGerrigan. Subs: Sean Morgan, Liam Cullen, Luke Grimley (on for Noonan, 95 mins), Tamer Ganem Atrach

Referee: Neil Robinson.

Related topics:LoughgallArmagh CityArmaghCliftonville