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Newry City 0-1 Portadown

Portadown's Ross Redman on the ball against Paul Donegan of Newry City
Portadown's Ross Redman on the ball against Paul Donegan of Newry City

Gary McCutcheon's first-half strike was enough to give Championship leaders Portadown victory over Newry City in the Co-operative Insurance Cup final.

Striker McCutcheon pounced on Wes Boyle's head through and turned to fire a left-foot shot past Andy Coleman.

Premiership side Newry fought back and Chris Morgan saw a shot crash off the Ports crossbar while Kevin Keegan's well-hit drive struck a post.

Portadown's win gave Ronnie McFall his 30th trophy as an Irish League manager.

It was an entertaining showpiece game at Mourneview Park where the crowd included Uefa president Michel Platini who was in Northern Ireland for the International FA Board meeting.

There was goalmouth action right form the start as Ports keeper David Miskelly made a double save, firstly from Richard Clarke's free-kick and then the attempted follow-up by Emmet Friars.

606: DEBATE

Then Portadown then threatened as Andy Hunter headed just over and fellow defender John Convery saw his header come off the bar.

The goal came in the 30th minute after Ross Redman's free-kick into the box was headed away by Cullen Feeney.

Boyle got to the loose ball to head through for McCutcheon to swoop with a shot which flashed across goal and inside the far post.

Newry's best effort of the first half saw the crossbar vibrating from Morgan's fine 22-yard shot.

In the second half Boyle shot over for Portadown and then Newry's Keegan fired against the far post with Morgan unable to get a telling contact on the rebound.

Portadown substitute Richard Lecky set up McCutcheon with a great chance to wrap it up but the Scottish forward sliced well wide at the far post while Boyle had another effort blocked.


Newry City: Coleman, Paul Donegan, C Feeney, Friars, Black, Keegan, Clarke, Garrett, Ferguson, Morgan, L Feeney.

Portadown: Miskelly, O'Hara, Convery, Hunter, Redman, Boyle, McCullough, McCluskey, Teggart, Braniff, McCutchoen.

Referee: Adrian McCourt.

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see also
Co-operative Cup final photos
28 Feb 09 |  Irish


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