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There has been cracking cup joy for Mynydd Isa and Acton

There has been cracking cup joy for Mynydd Isa and Acton

Leader Live05-05-2025

But the league champions had to do it the hard way, coming from behind to beat Rhostyllen 3-1 in Saturday's cup final at Airbus.
Sam Chesters set up top scorer Tom Douglas for Rhostyllen's opener in the last minute of the first half but Isa hit back after the break.
Braden Lavin and James Beck struck in the first 10 minutes of the second half and Nathan Mendoza sealed the comeback 11 minutes from time.
Rhostyllen could still end the season with silverware as they take on FC Queen's Park in next weekend's Horace Wynne Cup final.
The Two Counties Cup final took place immediately afterwards at Airbus and in the battle of the two Championship sides, last year's winners Acton kept a hold on the trophy after a 2-0 win over Sychdyn, who had two players sent off.
Liam Davies opened the scoring on the stroke of half time and Sam Giles' goal 10 minutes after the break sealed the deal.

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Michael O'Neill takes positives from Northern Ireland's narrow defeat to Denmark
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Michael O'Neill takes positives from Northern Ireland's narrow defeat to Denmark

Christian Eriksen's second-half strike completed a come-from-behind win for the Danes as Northern Ireland suffered a second straight defeat after March's 5-1 loss to Sweden. But Saturday's match was not about the result for O'Neill, who wanted to give his young squad another tough test away to top-level opposition with a trip to Germany looming after they open their qualifying campaign in Luxembourg. From that point of view there was plenty for Northern Ireland to be happy with. After taking the lead through Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's early own goal, O'Neill's men did not allow Denmark a shot on target until Gustav Isaksen's fine strike in first-half stoppage time. Thank you for your support here in Denmark and back at home 👏🏻💚🤍 #GAWA — Northern Ireland (@NorthernIreland) June 7, 2025 However, Northern Ireland did not do enough going the other way, and ended the match not registering a shot on target themselves. 'I thought it was a game that wasn't really played like a friendly game,' O'Neill said. 'I thought it had a little bit of an edge to it, which was good. 'We couldn't have got off to a better start. I thought we started the game very well and obviously we get ahead. I thought we thought we defended really well in the first half, we knew we'd have to defend our box well. 'It was a bit of individual brilliance from Isaksen that gives them the equaliser before half-time so half-time has a little bit of a different feel… What a start for Northern Ireland! ⚽ Shea Charles arrives at the back post to head into the net 🎯#BBCFootball — BBC SPORT NI (@BBCSPORTNI) June 7, 2025 'We lost the second goal but then I thought we really dug in.' Denmark, ranked 50 places above Northern Ireland, had a huge edge in quality and experience and that was what eventually told. But O'Neill recognises there is still more they can do to make themselves competitive. 'We were never going to be a dominant possession-based team against any of these teams,' O'Neill added. 'We're asking players who play their football at League One or Championship level to go out against players from the top five leagues in Europe. 'The way we have to try to close that gap is to be what we are, a team that's well-organised, well-structured, difficult to beat, that comes to frustrate the opposition, but obviously to carry a threat as well. The best no matter the result 👏🏻🟢⚪️ #GAWA — Northern Ireland (@NorthernIreland) June 7, 2025 'There's no shame in coming here and losing the game 2-1, not at all. But in terms of where we need to get to as a team, we need to be able to retain the ball a little bit better, maybe find a little bit more in terms of level of possession and that will help us carry a bigger threat.' The scoreline would have finished more strongly in Denmark's favour were it not for a number of saves made by 19-year-old goalkeeper Pierce Charles, who came on at half-time in place of Conor Hazard who was hurt in a first-half collision with Rasmus Hojlund. 'It's not an easy situation for young Pierce coming in and playing but I thought he dealt with it well,' O'Neill said. 'He's a very good young goalkeeper. You're defending your box at that point in time but the game gets a bit stretched, we're physically tired in the game. But it's important you keep the game at 2-1 because that's how you may get an opportunity.'

Michael O'Neill takes positives from Northern Ireland's narrow defeat to Denmark
Michael O'Neill takes positives from Northern Ireland's narrow defeat to Denmark

Leader Live

time2 hours ago

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Michael O'Neill takes positives from Northern Ireland's narrow defeat to Denmark

Christian Eriksen's second-half strike completed a come-from-behind win for the Danes as Northern Ireland suffered a second straight defeat after March's 5-1 loss to Sweden. But Saturday's match was not about the result for O'Neill, who wanted to give his young squad another tough test away to top-level opposition with a trip to Germany looming after they open their qualifying campaign in Luxembourg. From that point of view there was plenty for Northern Ireland to be happy with. After taking the lead through Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's early own goal, O'Neill's men did not allow Denmark a shot on target until Gustav Isaksen's fine strike in first-half stoppage time. Thank you for your support here in Denmark and back at home 👏🏻💚🤍 #GAWA — Northern Ireland (@NorthernIreland) June 7, 2025 However, Northern Ireland did not do enough going the other way, and ended the match not registering a shot on target themselves. 'I thought it was a game that wasn't really played like a friendly game,' O'Neill said. 'I thought it had a little bit of an edge to it, which was good. 'We couldn't have got off to a better start. I thought we started the game very well and obviously we get ahead. I thought we thought we defended really well in the first half, we knew we'd have to defend our box well. 'It was a bit of individual brilliance from Isaksen that gives them the equaliser before half-time so half-time has a little bit of a different feel… What a start for Northern Ireland! ⚽ Shea Charles arrives at the back post to head into the net 🎯#BBCFootball — BBC SPORT NI (@BBCSPORTNI) June 7, 2025 'We lost the second goal but then I thought we really dug in.' Denmark, ranked 50 places above Northern Ireland, had a huge edge in quality and experience and that was what eventually told. But O'Neill recognises there is still more they can do to make themselves competitive. 'We were never going to be a dominant possession-based team against any of these teams,' O'Neill added. 'We're asking players who play their football at League One or Championship level to go out against players from the top five leagues in Europe. 'The way we have to try to close that gap is to be what we are, a team that's well-organised, well-structured, difficult to beat, that comes to frustrate the opposition, but obviously to carry a threat as well. The best no matter the result 👏🏻🟢⚪️ #GAWA — Northern Ireland (@NorthernIreland) June 7, 2025 'There's no shame in coming here and losing the game 2-1, not at all. But in terms of where we need to get to as a team, we need to be able to retain the ball a little bit better, maybe find a little bit more in terms of level of possession and that will help us carry a bigger threat.' The scoreline would have finished more strongly in Denmark's favour were it not for a number of saves made by 19-year-old goalkeeper Pierce Charles, who came on at half-time in place of Conor Hazard who was hurt in a first-half collision with Rasmus Hojlund. 'It's not an easy situation for young Pierce coming in and playing but I thought he dealt with it well,' O'Neill said. 'He's a very good young goalkeeper. You're defending your box at that point in time but the game gets a bit stretched, we're physically tired in the game. But it's important you keep the game at 2-1 because that's how you may get an opportunity.'

Michael O'Neill takes positives from Northern Ireland's narrow defeat to Denmark
Michael O'Neill takes positives from Northern Ireland's narrow defeat to Denmark

Belfast Telegraph

time2 hours ago

  • Belfast Telegraph

Michael O'Neill takes positives from Northern Ireland's narrow defeat to Denmark

Christian Eriksen's second-half strike completed a come-from-behind win for the Danes as Northern Ireland suffered a second straight defeat after March's 5-1 loss to Sweden. But Saturday's match was not about the result for O'Neill, who wanted to give his young squad another tough test away to top-level opposition with a trip to Germany looming after they open their qualifying campaign in Luxembourg. From that point of view there was plenty for Northern Ireland to be happy with. After taking the lead through Pierre-Emile Hojbjerg's early own goal, O'Neill's men did not allow Denmark a shot on target until Gustav Isaksen's fine strike in first-half stoppage time. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. However, Northern Ireland did not do enough going the other way, and ended the match not registering a shot on target themselves. 'I thought it was a game that wasn't really played like a friendly game,' O'Neill said. 'I thought it had a little bit of an edge to it, which was good. 'We couldn't have got off to a better start. I thought we started the game very well and obviously we get ahead. I thought we thought we defended really well in the first half, we knew we'd have to defend our box well. 'It was a bit of individual brilliance from Isaksen that gives them the equaliser before half-time so half-time has a little bit of a different feel… We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. 'We lost the second goal but then I thought we really dug in.' Denmark, ranked 50 places above Northern Ireland, had a huge edge in quality and experience and that was what eventually told. But O'Neill recognises there is still more they can do to make themselves competitive. 'We were never going to be a dominant possession-based team against any of these teams,' O'Neill added. 'We're asking players who play their football at League One or Championship level to go out against players from the top five leagues in Europe. 'The way we have to try to close that gap is to be what we are, a team that's well-organised, well-structured, difficult to beat, that comes to frustrate the opposition, but obviously to carry a threat as well. We need your consent to load this Social Media content. We use a number of different Social Media outlets to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. 'There's no shame in coming here and losing the game 2-1, not at all. But in terms of where we need to get to as a team, we need to be able to retain the ball a little bit better, maybe find a little bit more in terms of level of possession and that will help us carry a bigger threat.' The scoreline would have finished more strongly in Denmark's favour were it not for a number of saves made by 19-year-old goalkeeper Pierce Charles, who came on at half-time in place of Conor Hazard who was hurt in a first-half collision with Rasmus Hojlund. 'It's not an easy situation for young Pierce coming in and playing but I thought he dealt with it well,' O'Neill said. 'He's a very good young goalkeeper. You're defending your box at that point in time but the game gets a bit stretched, we're physically tired in the game. But it's important you keep the game at 2-1 because that's how you may get an opportunity.'

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