Toals Co. Antrim Senior Shield Final Crusaders Versus Linfield Ballymena Showgrounds Tuesday 7Th February 2017 Kick-Off: 7.45 Pm OFFICIAL SOUVENIR PROGRAMME
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Toals Co. Antrim Senior Shield Final Crusaders versus Linfield Ballymena Showgrounds Tuesday 7th February 2017 Kick-off: 7.45 pm OFFICIAL SOUVENIR PROGRAMME Football forms a huge part of our business and we are delighted to be involved in the sponsorship of the County Antrim FA and their four Sponsor’s competitions. I would also like to thank Robert Fenton, President of the County welcome... Antrim FA, and all associated would like to welcome you all to the members for their efforts in Ballymena Showgrounds this welcoming us sponsors again for the eveningI for the Toals Bookmakers 2016/17 season. County Antrim Senior Shield Final. Toals Bookmakers are privileged to There has been some great action sponsor this prestigious competition throughout each round of the Senior and we wish finalists Crusaders and Shield so far. Both Crusaders and Linfield the very best of luck this Linfield have produced some great evening. performances and we arrive this evening looking forward to an exciting Gary Toal final between two deserving finalists. Managing Director How they reached the Final... Crusaders Round 1 Larne.............................................0-2......................................................Crusaders Round 2 Glentoran ....................................1-2 ......................................................Crusaders (after extra time) Semi-Final Crusaders...................................4-2 .................................................................PSNI Linfield Round 1 Linfield........................................4-0.............................................Donegal Celtic Round 2 Linfield ........................................3-0 ....................................................Cliftonville Semi-Final Linfield.........................................6-1 ..................................................................Ards Toals Co. Antrim Senior Shield Final 2017 3 Welcome to the Toals CoCongratulations Antrim to both teams Shield on reaching the Toals Final Co Antrim Shield Final . I would like to thank our sponsors Toals for there sponsorship of the Competition and also the Secretary of the Co Antrim FA Bernard Thompson for the hard work he has put into this competition . Hopefully we will see a final that will provide excitement and goals . Best wishes to both teams . RONNIE MILLAR Chairman of the Senior Shield Committee To facilitate the installation of our new state-of-the-art digital printing press,WEwe have nowHAVE moved into bright new MOVED premises at Argyle Business Centre and we extend an invitation to our customers, old and new, to contact us with any printing requirements. We offer a full in-house design service, along with excellent quality, fast delivery times and, most importantly, extremely competitive prices. Unit 10b • Argyle Business Centre 39 North Howard Street • Belfast BT13 2AU Telephone: 028 9074 0192 Email: [email protected] Toals Co. Antrim Senior Shield Final 2017 4 different. We are very grateful for the backing President’s of Toals Bookmakers who are of Messageby Robert Fenton course, President, Co. Antrim & District F.A. renowned in Ballymena t’s my pleasure and privilege as town and their Ipresident of the Co Antrim FA, to financial welcome sponsors, guests, players, team support has and match officials and not ensured least, spectators at tonight’s Toals Senior money was Shield final featuring the country’s spent on leading teams Crusaders and Linfield. refurbishing the magnificent trophy first The association’s thanks go to Ballymena which made its debut in 1888 with United for allowing us to use their top- Distillery as the original winners. class Showgrounds facilities for the This final will be associated with two occasion - the second time in three years firsts. that the council-owned ground has been The BBC are streaming the game live as selected as the final venue following part of a test on new equipment and objections by Linfield over an initial digital technology. This will showcase the decision made by the Senior Shield final across the world online and opens up Committee. a potential future working relationship with But all’s well that ends well, and the Co. the Corporation for coverage of future Antrim are delighted to be back in the events. Braid for the decisive game in the principal Earlier this year, the Co. Antrim FA competition within their domain. adopted the Northern Ireland Children’s Back in 2014, it was Linfield who got their Hospice as their head-line charity. It’s the hands on the trophy for the 43rd time - only organisation which cares for children one of those by the Swifts (1949) - when and young adults confronted by life- beating tonight’s opponents 4-1 on limiting illnesses, providing help and care penalties after a 0-0 draw. No doubt Blues for them and their families. fans and officials would settle for a case of However, their success in meeting their deja vu. commitments, depends on the generosity The Shore Road men, chasing a hat-trick of the public to ensure sufficient funds are of league titles which has not been available to carry out their valuable work. achieved since Linfield’s last success in Representatives of the NICH will be at 2012, are hoping to add the Toals Shield to entrance points and other areas of the their trophy cabinet for a sixth time. The ground seeking voluntary donations and two teams have met nine times in the the association would appreciate it if you decider since 1955, the Blues wining nine can contribute to this worthy cause. and Crusaders six. Finally, my I wish all in attendance an Clashes between the two in recent times enjoyable evening, even though only one have been competitive, feisty, entertaining team and their supporters can leave with and producing all that’s best in the local that extra feeling of bliss that comes with game and this evening should be no the fruits of victory. Toals Co. Antrim Senior Shield Final 2017 5 byCrusaders Greg Braniff (all photos Penby Stephen Pictures Hamilton) Sean O’Neill. Sean joined Crusaders from tonight’s final following a recent ankle injury. Dungannon Swifts in 2011 and has been an integral part of Crusaders success ever since. Philip Lowry. Another summer signing from This season has seen Sean make vital penalty Portadown, Phillip has seen his Crusaders saves against Coleraine, Glenavon and career hampered by injury so far this season Cliftonville to help the Crues maintain a 7 but in recent weeks has made a number of point lead at the top of the Premiership. influential appearances from the bench. The Sean has been captaining the side in recent midfielder scored a fine goal against Carrick weeks in the absence of the injured Colin earlier in the season following a splendid Coates. team move by Crusaders. Billy Joe Burns. The current NIFWA and Andrew Mitchell. Andrew is another player Ulster Player of the Year, Billy Joe joined whose season has been hampered by injury. Crusaders from Linfield in 2014. The attacking The versatile midfielder/ defender played for right back is often described as a ‘Rolls Royce’ Rangers, Annan Athletic and Southport player and has played a key part in the back before returning home to sign for Crusaders to back title successes. Billy Joe actually in the summer of 2015. Andrew scored both scored for Linfield against Crusaders in the goals in the Crues First Round win over Larne 2010 Shield Final! at Inver Park. Howard Beverland. Howard joined Michael Carvill. Attacking midfielder who Crusaders in the summer after previously joined the club from Linfield in the summer spending ten years at Coleraine. The classy of 2015, and is having a fine season as part of central defender has fitted seamlessly into the feared Crusaders attack. Michael was the heart of the Crusaders defence forging a with Charlton Athletic and Wrexham earlier solid partnership with Colin Coates. He has in his career and has scored six goals so far also chipped in with a couple of vital league this season including a strike against the PSNI goals against Portadown and Cliftonville. in the semi final. Michael Gault. Eyebrows were raised last David Cushley. Another attacking season when Crusaders moved to sign the midfielder who has settled well at Seaview experienced midfielder on a pre contract following his summer move from Ballymena agreement from Portadown, however once United. Thankfully he has continued his knack again he has proved to be another astute of scoring spectacular and vital goals at Stephen Baxter signing, bringing added Seaview and his seven goals so far this season experience to the Crues defence and have included goals in this years Shield midfield. Unfortunately a hand injury is likely quarter and semi finals. David is aiming to win to rule Michael out of tonight’s final. the shield for the second consecutive season having won it with Ballymena last year scoring Colin Coates. Club Captain who is in the final. approaching 500 appearances for Crusaders. A product of the Crues youth system, Colin Declan Caddell. Tough tackling midfielder has won every domestic honour and gained who has made over 300 appearances for the six caps for Northern Ireland earlier in his club since making his debut in 2007. Declan is career. Colin scored a last minute equaliser in another player who has won every domestic the 2010 final against Linfield and Stephen honour with the club. Not renowned as a Baxter will be hoping he will be fit for goalscorer! Declan has scored a number of Toals Co. Antrim Senior Shield Final 2017 6 Sean O’Neill Billy Joe Burns Howard Beverland Michael Gault Colin Coates Philip Lowry Andrew Mitchell Michael Carvill David Cushley Declan Caddell Jordan Forsythe Michael Dougherty Craig McClean Jordan Owens Matthew Snoddy Richard Clarke Alan Keane Paul Heatley Gavin Whyte Mikel Suarez Toals Co. Antrim Senior Shield Final 2017 7 vital goals in recent weeks including a stunner joined the club from Glentoran in January against Cliftonville in the North Belfast Derby 2014 and was named in the 2015 NIFWA Team on Boxing Day. of the Year following a terrific season as the Gibson Cup returned to Seaview for the first Jordan Forsythe.