Coleraine District Boys Brigade U-14 team football team has won the Northern Ireland District Shield. The team consists of BB members from local companies in Coleraine, Garvagh, Kilrea, and Limavady and under the guidance of Norman Edgar they have won the Competition for the first time ever.
In the earlier round the boys qualified for the Semi Finals by beating the Portadown Battalion 9-3. This was followed by a 3-2 win Semi-Final win over a tough East Antrim side.
The final was played at the Antrim forum on Friday the 8th of June 2012 against a strong Lurgan Battalion team. In the early stages of the final Coleraine took control and were rewarded with a goal, Adam Rowe chased down a through ball and slotted in under the hesitant keeper. In the following period of play Coleraine hit the post and had a header cleared off the line. However Lurgan gradually started to get a hold of the midfield and stunned Coleraine with two goals in quick succession, both fine long range efforts which gave Jamie Cunningham in the Coleraine goal no chance whatsoever. Coleraine were only too happy to hear the half time whistle and get the chance to regroup.
Half Time Coleraine 1 Lurgan 2
The second half was an end to end encounter with neither team able to add to their goal tally. Coleraine made a few positional changes midway through the second half and this paid dividends when Gavin Scott cut a low ball across the six yard box which Adam Rowe tucked neatly into the corner of the net for his second goal of the game.
Both defences were showing signs of nerves, Coleraine hit the woodwork again and Craig Witherow the Coleraine captain hit a fine 20 yard shot which the Keeper turned round the post. At the other end two top saves from Jamie Cunningham kept Coleraine in the game. With time running out and extra time looking likely Coleraine pushed forward for one last attack. The ball was played into the right hand side of the box, the Lurgan keeper dived at the feet of the incoming Coleraine player and the ball broke loose on the six yard box, in the resulting melee Adam Hutton managed to get a toe to the ball to divert it over the line. 3-2 to Coleraine and with barely enough time left the take Kick-Off, it was game over and the trophy was Coleraine’s, much to the delight of the boys,the Officers and parents on the sidelines.
The Shield and medals were presented to the Coleraine boys by the match Referee, Mr Colin Platt.
Full Time Coleraine 3 Lurgan 2
Referee Mr Colin Platt Garvagh