Past heartaches erased with maiden cup triumph for Ards school
BELFAST AND DISTRICT SCHOOLS’ CUP FINAL
REGENT HOUSE 3
RATHMORE GRAMMAR 1
REGENT House’s footballers achieved something no previous team at the school has ever been able to do as they lifted the Belfast and District Schools’ U18 Cup for the first time in their history on Monday afternoon.
Over the past 35 years of football at the school, Regent reached the final in 1994, 1999, 2002 and most recently 2024.
Each time, the Ardsmen went away empty handed, however in this year’s final the narrative changed when captain and goalkeeper Aaron Scott got his hands on the trophy to the delight of the many staff, pupils, parents and friends watching on.
On a bright and warm afternoon at the Blanchflower Stadium, both Regent and opponents Rathmore Grammar sought the early advantage. This could have happened in the first five minutes when Regent and Linfield winger Stephen Kelly went down under a challenge in the penalty box, but referee Sam Naylor waved play on, much to the dissatisfaction of the Regent crowd.
The rest of the first half was a cagey affair, very typical of a cup final, with neither side wanting to make a mistake. Regent did go close on a number of occasions with a Ryan Bailie header and Ryan Nixon shot testing the Rathmore ’keeper, but the half ended scoreless.
Regent started the second half on the front foot, attacking the end of the ground where their supporters were seated, and the crowd seemed to galvanise the boys in red.
Year 12 student Jake Morehead, only recently brought into the side due to a Dylan O’Neill injury, set off on a fantastic run down the left wing. His progress took him past several players and into the penalty area, where a fortunate deflection off a Rathmore defender resulted in Morehead still with the ball in at his feet as he prodded home from close range.
The second Regent goal arrived quickly after the first. Superb work in the centre of the pitch by Cameron Sloan resulted in a through ball to Matthew McCann (who also plays his club football for Linfield). McCann took the ball past a Rathmore defender, cut inside into his right foot and unleashed an unstoppable shot from the edge of the box.
Regent were in total control now and it appeared there was only one outcome. However, in a reminder that in football, everything can change in a matter of seconds, Regent gifted Rathmore a lifeline.
A defensive mix-up resulted in the ball landing in the right place for a Rathmore attacker and he gleefully accepted the chance to coolly slot past Aaron Scott. Game on.
Regent knew they had to regain control and Alfie McKee and Cameron Kelly were outstanding, breaking up play in the middle of the pitch and allowing the opposition no time on the ball.
Regent’s number nine Jack Martindale ran himself into the ground and gave the Rathmore central defenders a torrid afternoon, and by the time he was replaced by Killian McCandless, their energy levels were dipping like the afternoon sun.
With the ever-exuberant Stephen Kelly replaced by Jude Carlisle, fresh legs for Regent made the difference. A superb through ball by Ryan Graham split the Rathmore defence and Killian McCandless, in his last ever game for Regent, scored his team’s third goal, much to the delight of the Regent support.
Turning to his bench to help secure the win, Regent coach Steven Cairnduff introduced Caleb Thompson, Harry Carmichael and Dylan O’Neill and all three lads performed admirably.
Regent knew they simply had to run the clock down now and rarely looked troubled by a deflated Rathmore side. When the final whistle sounded, the crowd erupted and the Regent team of 2025 knew they were history makers.
As the players celebrated wildly, the coaching team of Cairnduff, Jonah Heron and manager Paul Fitzsimons took a moment to let it all sink in.
