The senior footballers collected their first piece of silverware of the season when winning the Beringer Cup final against Rossa at Lamh Dearg on Sunday. In an entertaining game we came out the victors by a goal, after extra time.
Rossa started much the brighter, kicking 1-3 without reply and at that 
stage we appeared to be in big trouble. However, a Daniel Largey goal halved the deficit and when goalkeeper Aaron Slane pointed 2 frees and Padraig McParland kicked his first point of the game the sides were level. Both teams then traded 2 points each, with our points from the boot of Aaron Slane, one a free and one from play. As the half drew to a close we finished strongly with Daniel Largey adding a point and Aaron Slane getting his fifth of the half to see us lead at the break 1-7 to 1-5.
Rossa were on the front foot from the start of the second half and we found ourselves 4 points behind as they kicked 1-3 without reply. We didn’t panic and when Padraig McParland kicked 2 close range frees, followed by a goal we had re-established our lead. Rossa levelled with a free before Daniel Largey restored our advantage and with time almost up another Rossa free tied the game 2-10 to 2-10 sending it into extra time.
Two 10 minute periods ensued and in the first period points from Aaron Slane and Padraig McParland gave us the advantage. We increased our lead when Danny Wallace soloed 60 yards, evaded the Rossa defence and fired the ball over the bar and when Daniel Largey got another point it looked as if we had done enough. However, Rossa were given a lifeline when the referee awarded them a penalty which was duly despatched to the back of the net. A quick-fire pointed free 
then levelled the game again. Both teams then went on the hunt for the elusive score to win the game but both defences were resolute. With time ticking away a Rossa attack was thwarted and we broke at pace from the half back line, the ball was played off to Jake O’Rawe, who blasted a rasping shot past the helpless keeper to give us the win 3-14 to 3-11.
South Antrim Secretary, Joe McVeigh presented the trophy to captain Michael Rowntree and commented on the effort and commitment shown by both teams. He said that it was one of the best Beringer Cup finals seen in many years and anyone who was at the game would definitely agree, an exhilarating match that went right to the wire.
