Phoenix win Jimbo Crossan Cup after eight goal thriller against Tristar at Brandywell

A superb game of football played at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium on Saturday saw Phoenix Athletic come away with victory in an eight-goal thriller over local rivals Tristar FC in the SmartPAY NI Jimbo Crossan Memorial Cup final.

A sizeable crowd saw the best attacks from Phoenix in the opening minutes but it was Tristar who took the lead.

Ten minutes in Michael McDaid was the Tristar hero when he broke clear of his marker on the right before blasting low past the advancing goalkeeper McLaren.

Minutes later, Tristar had the opportunity to increase their lead but striker Matthew McDermott’s shot went wide of the upright.

Phoenix drew level on 19 minutes. A high cross from the left by winger Liam McCormick was met by the boot of Deeney who neatly slotted home from eight yards.

It was Tristar who went in front again midway through the half when a set piece corner from the left side was headed goalwards by McDaid to double his account with an unfortunate deflection giving goalkeeper McLaren no chance.

With minutes remaining of the first period, it was another set piece corner that had the sides level. The ball floated deep into the six-yard box saw the Tristar defence fail to clear and in the resulting scramble Oran Deery tapped home.

The goal of the match was scored early in the second half. Hatrick hero McDaid picked up a loose ball in the middle of the park, beat his marker, and fired an unstoppable piledriver into the top corner from 25 yards.

Minutes later the sides were level again. Phoenix’ Mark Healy’s low flick saw Tristar keeper McGarrigle get a hand to the ball but failed to stop it crossing the line.

Substitutions made by both sides had Phoenix getting the upper hand but a number of wasted opportunities saw the scores remain level.

It was midway through the second half when Phoenix took the lead for the first time. A soft free kick was awarded 25 yards out. The resultant shot from captain Declan Harley was saved by the keeper but the inrushing Oran Sweeney headed home to put his side in front for the first time in the match.

After this the Phoenix bandwagon dominated possession across the park and it was no surprise when they pulled ahead again in the dying minutes.

Tristar were caught not clearing their lines and Conor Clifford picked up possession on the left, his low cross fed striker Caolan Kelly who got his shot away and finished well.

Phoenix continued to threaten with several chances late on, the best of these being when Conor Clifford scored a rebound from a corner but the goal was ruled out for offside.

The match finished 5-3.

Tristar’s hat-trick hero McDaid got the match ball and man-of-the-match award but special mention must go to Phoenix midfielders Dean Power and Captain Declan Harley who were at the centre of the victor’s best moves.

It was fitting that the Jimbo Crossan memorial trophy was presented by Jobby, brother of the ex-Candystripes centre-half and himself, a former Northern Ireland international player and Manchester City captain.

The local legend praised both sides for the high standard of football and paid tribute to the pristine condition of the new Brandywell surface, commenting that he ‘would love to be out there mixing it in the middle of the park!’

Tristar – Cayden McGarrigle, Cahir O’Hagan, Aiden Boyle (capt), Emmett McCarron, Reece Heaney, Riley Fitzpatrick, Cain Thompson, Joseph McGeady, Matthew McDermott, Caolan Condren, Michael McDaid, Nathan Doherty, William Herron, David Doherty, Shaun Chambers and Kyle McDaid.

Phoenix Athletic – Keith McLaren, Owen McGonigle, Caolan McLaughlin, Dean Shiels, Paul Smith, Oran Sweeney, Declan Harley (capt), Caolan Kelly, Conor Clifford, Liam McCormick, Cathal McDaid, Dean Power, Oran Deeney, Mark Healy and Kevin Conlon.

The D&D PRO Darren Smyth hailed another successful season for the organisation, adding: “This year has seen another successful summer cup campaign culminating in the two finals this week at the Brandywell.

"They show how important senior football is in Derry with massive support for all teams and this is why we, as an organisation, continue to keep the D&D going, so there’s a pathway from junior to senior football for the youth and they get to showcase themselves in the best football pitch on these islands on finals days. A massive thank you to SmartPAYni for their continued support as well.”