IVEAGH PROGRESS IN THE STEEL AND SONS CUP 
The first ever Steel and Sons Cup tie involving West Belfasts only NAFL Intermediate League side Iveagh United ended in a 2-1 victory for the home side. A narrow, hard fought win against Mid Ulster Intermediate B side Broomhedge probably should have been more comprehensive if the home side had capitalised on their superior share of possession and had taken their numerous chances. After a goalless first half, second half goals from midfielders Joe Dorrian and Desi Magill sealed the victory in this first round game. A late Broomhedge goal put the pressure on the home defence but Iveagh held on to record a well deserved win.
The match began, as many cup ties do, with plenty of early tackles and both teams fighting for early supremacy. Iveagh created the better of the early chances with left midfielder Paul Flood creating a chance for fellow midfielder Dorrian, who fired narrowly over. The pressure continued to build on the away side with a half chance for tough tackling forward Damien Kearney. Central defender Tommy McAnulty stepped out of defence to play a diagonal ball to Flood on the left, who played in Magill and his cross was headed narrowly wide by Kearney. The away side grew into the game and created their own chances in the first half but impecable defensive displays from full back Ronan Laverty and veteran central defender Stevie Fitzpatrick kept the Mid Ulster side at bay. Iveagh keeper Damien Nugent also contributed to his sides impressive defensive display by repeatedly collecting long throws and corners at the first attempt to ease the pressure on the defence.
The first half ended goalless but the second half didnt take long to get going with Iveagh taking full control of the cup tie with an impressive midfield display from Thomas Burns helping turn the game in the home sides favour. The first goal was created by lone striker David Nugent, whose superb left-footed cross was flicked into the net by the fringe of Dorrian to put the home side in the lead. This was exactly what the West Belfast side deserved for their second half efforts and a second goal was all that was needed to kill the game off. Pressure continued to grow on Broomhedge and Iveagh full-back Patrick McLoughlin had a trademark free-kick tipped round the post by the away sides keeper. Flood then had his low shot smothered by the keeper after a cross from Dorrian on the right fell at his feet in the box.
The second Iveagh goal, with 15 minutes left on the clock, was created by substitute striker Niall McGarry, who broke down the right, beating three defenders in the process before cutting the ball back for Magill, who placed the ball neatly into the corner of the goal for 2-0. However, this didnt kill the game for the home side as only two minutes later Broomhedge got back into the tie with a well worked goal. A one-two in midfield resulted in a shot being saved by Iveagh keeper Nugent only for the follow-up to be dispatched into the net by the Broomhedge forward. This brought the game to life again as Iveagh had been trying to play the game out in the Broomhedge half. The away side poured forward late on and threw caution to the wind in their pursuit of an equaliser, which would have forced the game into extra-time. Iveagh substitute Patrick McAllister contributed to his sides victory with a late block from a Broomhedge strikers shot, which may have caused problems for the home side's keeper had it been allowed to travel towards the goal. A last minute corner even saw the Broomhedge keeper in the Iveagh box but it wasnt to be for the Mid Ulster side as the home team held on for an impressive victory. Special mention to the referee Boyce who had an excellent game, allowing play to flow and got every decision right.
Next up for Iveagh is Ballynahinch United of Intermediate League 1B in the Border Cup at Richardson Park, Dunmurry, at 2.00 pm on Saturday 4th September. All support welcome.

IVEAGH SECURE NEW SPONSORSHIP Iveagh UTD are proud to announce their new main Sponsor for the Under 18’s will be Workforce Training Services.... more to follow