Ballyclare Comrades FC Official Website

We welcome Annagh United to Dixon Park this evening for our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.

Match Info

When: Tuesday 17^th January – Kick-Off 7:45pm

Where: Dixon Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

Entry: Pay at the gate – £8 (Adult) / £5 (OAP & U16) / £3 (U12 in the company of an adult)

Match Sponsor: Abbey Real Estate

Ball Sponsor: Mortgage Shop Ballyclare

The Opponents

Annagh United moved level on points at the top of the table with victory over Newington at Solitude on Saturday. Odhran Smyth opened the scoring for the visitors after just two minutes after combining well with Ruairi McDonald. That was how it stayed until just before the hour mark when McDonald got on the scoresheet himself with a composed finish into the top corner. Michael Morgan pulled one back for the Swans with seven minutes remaining but Annagh held on to secure the win.

The Comrades

The Comrades had a weekend to forget with a 4-0 home defeat to Dergview. After hitting the bar in the first minute Tommy Canning’s side moved in front on ten minutes when Graham Crown made their early pressure count with a header past Declan Breen. Mikhail Kennedy added a second midway through the first half with a nice finish before, just short of the half-hour mark, Crown doubled his tally for the afternoon. Jamie Brown then completed the scoring on 62 minutes to ensure Dergview’s second successive league victory.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met in October, both teams had to settle for a point at the BMG Arena. Paul Finnegan edged Ciaran McGurgan’s side in front on 18 minutes from Adam Glenny’s delivery. It was a lead they held until the closing moments when Darius Roohi headed home an equaliser from a Cathal Farren free-kick.

We welcome Dergview to Dixon Park tomorrow afternoon for our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.

Match Info

When: Saturday 14^th January – Kick-Off 3:00pm

Where: Dixon Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

Entry: Pay at the gate – £8 (Adult) / £5 (OAP & U16) / £3 (U12 in the company of an adult)

Match Sponsor: Agnew Mitchell & Cairns Accountants

Ball Sponsor: Riverside Autowash

The Opponents

Last week, Dergview exited the Irish Cup at the hands of reigning champions Crusaders. Dean Ebbe scored his first goal for Crusaders when he headed home Jordan Forsythe’s cross from the right-hand side to give the defending champions the lead in the fourth minute. The second came when Philip Lowry’s strike was originally denied by Alan Buchanan, but Ebbe knocked in the rebound on the 49th minute. Just two minutes later the striker got his hat-trick when a looping header made it 3-0. The home side got their fourth when Jordan Owens bundled Ross Clarke’s corner over the line, after busy keeper Buchanan misjudged the cross. Clever build-up play between Lowry and Declan Caddell resulted in the fifth goal with Lowry’s resulting strike from outside the box finding the back of the net. Caddell was in action again when his pass from the wing found Jonathan McMurray, who cut inside the box before firing home to complete the rout.

The Comrades

Despite playing most of the match with ten men, Comrades advanced to the next round of the Irish Cup with a narrow but deserved win over Dollingstown. The Comrades took the lead in the 15th minute. A Gary Donnelly cross led to the goal, with his ball played in from the right being tucked away by a cushioned finish across the ‘keeper by Cathal Farren from 6 yards out. It was a lead the hosts held for the remainder of the game despite being reduced to ten men on the 36^th minute after Owen McConville was dismissed after receiving a second yellow card.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met in November, Dergview made it two wins in a row with victory over Ballyclare Comrades at Dixon Park. Conall McGrandles might have given the home side the advantage at half-time only to clip the crossbar on 38 minutes. Ballyclare had the ball in the net early in the second half but Calvin McCurry’s finish was ruled out offside. And they hit the woodwork again on 72 minutes when McCurry cut in from the right only to send his effort against the far post. But what proved to be the winner came on 78 minutes through Bobby Deane who headed a corner at the far post beyond Declan Breen.

We welcome Dollingstown to Dixon Park tomorrow afternoon for the first round of this season’s Samuel Gelston’s Irish Cup.

Match Info

When: Saturday 7^th January – Kick-Off 3:00pm

Where: Dixon Park

What: Samuel Gelston’s Irish Cup

Entry: Pay at the gate – £10 (Adult) / £5 (Concession)

Match Sponsor: Brackenwood Property & Estate Management

Ball Sponsor: Red Mills Dog Food

The Opponents

Last week, two early goals saw Dollingstown defeat Portstewart at Planter’s Park. Cameron Purdy opened the scoring as early as the seventh minute before Daniel Gordon doubled up after a quarter-of-an-hour. The win sees the Dollybirds move into fourth spot in the Lough 41 Premier Intermediate table with games in hand over the sides above them.

The Comrades

Owen McConville bagged the late winner as Ballyclare Comrades defeated Warrenpoint Town at Milltown. Scoreless at the break, the home side came closest to breaking the deadlock early on when Ryan Swan turned an effort against an upright. ‘Point hit the post for a second time early in the second half, this time through Fra McCaffrey before a Steven Ball set piece suffered a similar fate after the hour. However, it was the visitors that left with all three points when McConville was on hand to head home a Gary Donnelly corner with just three minutes to go.

We travel to Milltown tomorrow afternoon to take on Warrenpoint Town in our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.

Match Info

When: Monday 2^nd January 2023 – Kick-Off 3:00pm

Where: Milltown

What: Lough 41 Championship

Entry: Pay at the gate

The Opponents

Warrenpoint Town shared the spoils with Institute from a Boxing Day clash at the Brandywell. Scoreless at the break, ‘Stute moved in front after half an hour when Andrew Whiteside volleyed into the top corner. And they might have doubled their advantage on 83 minutes only for Cathair Friel to head against an upright while Mark McFadden failed to convert the rebound. That reprieve opened the door for ‘Point to bag their equaliser just sixty seconds later when, from a corner, Adam Carroll beat Dylan Doherty to ensure it finished honours even.

The Comrades

Ballyclare Comrades and Newington shared the spoils from an evenly matched middle of the table clash at Dixon Park on Boxing Day. Although scoreless at the break, the visitors did twice come close during the opening 45 minutes when Darren Stuart broke through to fire straight at Declan Breen and then again after half-an-hour only to be denied by a goalline clearance. The sides traded chances in the second half but it took Darius Roohi to break the deadlock with 14 minutes remaining when nodded home a Gary Donnelly free-kick from four yards. However, Newington grabbed a point deep into stoppage time when Jack Reilly fired home a great shot from outside the box.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met in October, Ballyclare Comrades and Warrenpoint Town shared the spoils at Dixon Park. The home side moved in front with just over a quarter-of-an-hour on the clock. Calvin McCurry broke clear of the visiting defence but was brought down by Daniel Byrne just outside the box and, from the resultant free-kick, Joe Tully fired into the far top corner. Luke Walsh might have levelled soon after only to hit the back post with a header from a corner. However, Walsh did equalise for ‘Point eight minutes from time on the rebound after Byrne had nodded a Kealan Dillon free-kick against an upright. ‘Point thought they had snatched the win deep into stoppage time but Joshua Wilson’s finish was ruled out offside.

We welcome Newington to Dixon Park this afternoon for our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.

Match Info

When: Monday 26^th December – Kick-Off 3:00pm

Where: Dixon Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

Entry: Pay at the gate – £8 (Adult) / £5 (OAP & U16) / £3 (U12 in the company of an adult)

Match Sponsor: Ballyclare Radiator Services

Ball Sponsor: Studio 51, 51 Main Street Ballyclare

The Opponents

Last week, goals from substitutes Padraig Slane and Aodhfionn Casey helped Newington defeat HW Welders at Solitude. Scoreless at the break, the deadlock was finally broken on 73 minutes when Slane picked up the ball in the area and beat keeper Sam Johnston with a low hard ball driven into the bottom corner at the near post. Then, just four minutes after that, Casey doubled Newington’s lead when Gary Warwick cut the ball back from the touchline for Casey to fire home from the edge of the area just inside the right post. The Welders did bag a late consolation in stoppage time when Michael McLellan knocked home the rebound after his initial effort had been touched onto the crossbar.

The Comrades

The Comrades are returning to action for the first time since the beginning of the month following recent fixture postponements. Their last time out saw them battle to an equal share of the goals away to Knockbreda. Scoreless at the break, ‘Breda moved in front just three minutes into the second half with Anto Burns’ finish into the roof of the net from a Max Greer low ball across the box. But the visitors levelled just after the hour to secure a point when Darius Roohi found Calvin McCurry six yards out to beat Jonah Nicholl.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met in September, the Comrades had a weekend to forget with a 5-2 defeat away to Newington. Darren Stuart opened the scoring for the Swans with two goals midway through the first half. He headed into the top corner on 21 minutes to break the deadlock before doubling up soon after with a confident finish from inside the box. Ballyclare pulled one back before the break, however, when Calvin McCurry headed home from Conall McGrandles’ corner. The Swans restored their two goal cushion early in the second half through Robert McVarnock who got on the end of a long ball to direct a header past Richard Purcell. Then, four minutes before the hour, Gary Warwick made the most of some indecision in the visiting defence to make it 4-1 … and he added a fifth later in the half after pouncing on a loose ball. Darius Roohi grabbed a late consolation for the Comrades with a finish from the edge of the box.

We travel to Lakeview Park this afternoon to take on Loughgall in our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.

Match Info

When: Saturday 17^th December – Kick-Off 3:00pm

Where: Lakeview Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

Entry: Pay at the gate

The Opponents

Last week, leaders Loughgall came from behind to claim a point from Institute at the Brandywell. The Villagers had the majority of chances in the scoreless first half, but fell behind not long after the interval when Cathair Friel ran onto a through ball from Mark McFadden to beat Berraat Turker with a composed finish. But Loughgall levelled with just over a quarter-of-an-hour remaining through Tiernan Kelly after connecting with a corner.

The Comrades

Before last weekend’s fixture was postponed, Conall Curran knocked home the only goal of the game as Ballyclare Comrades defeated Institute at Dixon Park. The Comrades man struck on 81 minutes from close range after connecting with a low ball delivered by Kyle Beggs. The result sees the Comrades leapfrog Institute into 6^th position in the Lough 41 Championship.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met in October, Lough left Dixon Park with all three points following a four-goal victory over Ballyclare Comrades. Scoreless at the break, Championship player of the month Nedas Maciulaitis edged the Villagers in front on the hour after he was quickest to react to the loose ball from a Nathaniel Ferris effort. He then made it 2-0 nine minutes later after connecting with an Ally Teggart pass … and Teggart himself got on the scoresheet after that with a deflected finish from just outside the box. Benji Magee completed the scoring with a couple of minutes remaining just after Ryan Masterson had smashed an effort against the crossbar.

We welcome Annagh United to Dixon Park tomorrow afternoon for our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.

Match Info

When: Saturday 10^th December – Kick-Off 3:00pm

Where: Dixon Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

Entry: Pay at the gate – £8 (Adult) / £5 (OAP & U16) / £3 (U12 in the company of an adult)

Match Sponsor: Abbey Real Estate

Ball Sponsor: The Mortgage Shop. You Talk. We Listen.

The Opponents

Last week, Annagh United hit three goals without reply past Dundela as second met third in the Lough 41 Championship. Stephen Murray fired Annagh in front on 18 minutes with a left footed effort after Ruairi McDonald had teed him up. Then, nine minutes into the second half, the roles were reversed when Murray found McDonald who duly lifted the ball over Macauley Cairns and into the net. Ben Eagle then completed the scoring in stoppage time after Conor Mullen had pounced on a defensive mistake to create the opening.

The Comrades

Last week, Knockbreda and Ballyclare Comrades battled to an equal share of the goals at Breda Park. Scoreless at the break, ‘Breda moved in front just three minutes into the second half with Anto Burns’ finish into the roof of the net from a Max Greer low ball across the box. But the visitors levelled just after the hour to secure a point when Darius Roohi found Calvin McCurry six yards out to beat Jonah Nicholl.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met in October, both sides had to settle for a point from Ballyclare Comrades’ visit to Annagh United. Paul Finnegan edged Ciaran McGurgan’s side in front on 18 minutes from Adam Glenny’s delivery. It was a lead they held until the closing moments when Darius Roohi headed home an equaliser from a Cathal Farren free-kick.

We travel to Breda Park tomorrow afternoon to take on Knockbreda in our next Lough 41 Championship fixture.

Match Info

When: Saturday 3^rd December – Kick-Off 2:00pm

Where: Breda Park

What: Lough 41 Championship

Entry: Pay at the gate

The Opponents

Last week, Knockbreda lost out to Ballinamallard United who came from behind to defeat Knockbreda at Ferney Park. ‘Breda held the advantage at the break when the unmarked Ewan McCoubrey headed past Michael Lynch. The Mallards levelled on 70 minutes after ‘Breda defender Ross McCaughan turned a Peter Maguire effort into his own net. The visitors were reduced to ten men soon after when Tamer Atrach was dismissed for violent conduct before, five minutes after that, Caolan McAleer bagged the winner for Harry McConkey’s side.

The Comrades

Last week, Conall Curran knocked home the only goal of the game as Ballyclare Comrades defeated Institute at Dixon Park. The Comrades man struck on 81 minutes from close range after connecting with a low ball delivered by Kyle Beggs. The result sees the Comrades leapfrog Institute into 6^th position in the Lough 41 Championship.

Last Time Out

The last time these two sides met in September, Ballyclare Comrades edged past Knockbreda by the odd goal in five at Dixon Park. The home side moved in front after nine minutes when Darius Roohi converted from the spot after Calvin McCurry had been brought down. And that was how it stayed before a couple of quick goals put Knockbreda in the driving seat. First, on the hour, Ross McCaughan headed home from a corner before, nine minutes later, Karl Hamill connected with a cross from the right to find the net at the back post. But Ballyclare levelled soon after courtesy of Cathal Farren’s far post header … with Joe Tully then grabbing what proved to be the winner on 82 minutes with a 25-yard drive.