A stunning free-kick from Steven McCullough sent 10-man Ballymena United through to the Irish Cup final with a 1-0 victory over Newry City in a scrappy contest at Mourneview Park.
McCullough’s beautiful strike early in the second half was the high point of a rescheduled semi-final that was low on quality.
Ballymena had to play the final 25 minutes of the match with 10 men after Kym Nelson was shown a straight red card for raising his hands in a melee involving players from both sides.
The Sky Blues will play Crusaders in the decider at Windsor Park on 7 May, with the Crues having beaten Cliftonville in the other last-four encounter on 1 April.
Tuesday night’s match was due to take place the following day but it was delayed after Glentoran appealed the Irish FA’s decision to dismiss them from the competition for fielding an ineligible player, Joe Crowe, in their 1-0 quarter-final win over Newry.
When their appeal was dismissed, the Glens sought arbitration which was unsuccessful but meant this was the third date scheduled for the second semi-final.
Newry, who are set to be crowned Championship winners and be promoted to the top flight on Saturday, produced a late flurry of shots that were blocked but could not find an equaliser.
The game’s decisive goal arrived in the 53rd minute after Malachy Smith fouled Ryan Waide. McCullough struck it sweetly with his left foot from almost 25 yards and it curled into the top corner past goalkeeper Steven Maguire.
Nelson’s red card came on 72 minutes when a blatant foul by Brendan Barr on the talented John McGovern sparked a melee in the middle of the pitch, with midfielder Nelson sent off for his part in a confrontation that involved players from both sides.
Ballymena will be aiming to win the premier knockout competition in Irish League football for the first time since 1989 when they contest the showpiece decider.
More to follow.
