Glentoran keep Northern interests alive as Murray strike sees off St Patrick's

Glentoran 1 St Patrick's Ath 0Glentoran are the only Northern club to have stepped up to the Setanta Cup challenge, by dumping out St Patrick's Athletic.

After earning a 0-0 the Glens were keen to take the home advantage and the difference came in one second-half goal from teenager Martin Murray.

Confident and fresh from pre-season, St Patrick’s dug in to match Glentoran in the opening stages, able toto push forward on what’s always been known as one of Northern Ireland’s biggest pitches.

Killian Brennan took a low shot inside the first minute, but it flashed across goal, and even though Calum Birney mis-judged his defensive moves dangerously near the goal-line, Hogg smothered the threat.

Nineteen-year-old Murray’s free-kick was then dispatched yards above the crossbar, and at the opposite end, former Manchester United forward Christy Fagan was also high of the target.

First chance

The first real chance of the game fell to Fagan on 35 minutes, but despite a flawless corner from Brennan, which fell to Fagan’s feet inside the six-yard box, he failed to connect.

Late in the first half, Jim O’Hanlon exerted himself on the edge of the area to try for an opening goal, but Brennan blocked his attempt and goalkeeper Dave Ryan handled his second.

As the game approached half-time, the Glens still showed they were confident, with McGuigan, Murray, Clarke and Jason Hill zig-zagging around midfield, but ultimately their efforts came to nothing.

Aidan Price was lucky not to have gifted Glentoran the lead early into the second half, after he sliced his clearance.

But there was no risk of the Glens taking their own chances. McAlorum’s free kick from 20 yards out at a difficult angle was rifled into the wall, and although he scrambled after the rebound, it came to nothing.

Fuelled by frustration, Waterworth made some promising bursts along the flank and O’Hanlon also fought to break them down before fortune struck for Murray.

McAlorum’s initial effort was blocked but not dealt with, but Murray coolly flicked it into the net from close range for the defining moment of the game.

St Patrick’s hit back immediately, with Fagan heading just wide of goal from Seán Gannon’s cross. Richard Gibson and Seán Ward were thrown on as the voices of experience to keep the young squad settled.

Besides a great save from rookie goalkeeper Aaron Hogg to deny Flood on 88 minutes, and referee Hugh Carvill calling time for a few moments while he received treatment for cramp, there was little else to get excited about.