Connolly the penalty shoot-out hero as Armagh lift cup

Tandragee-born Jordan Bell with some friends and supporters following Armagh City's success in the Bob Radcliffe Cup final on a penalty shoot-out victory against Loughgall.Tandragee-born Jordan Bell with some friends and supporters following Armagh City's success in the Bob Radcliffe Cup final on a penalty shoot-out victory against Loughgall.
Tandragee-born Jordan Bell with some friends and supporters following Armagh City's success in the Bob Radcliffe Cup final on a penalty shoot-out victory against Loughgall.
Armagh City secured a second Bob Radcliffe Cup title in three seasons with penalty shoot-out success over Loughgall at Lakeview Park.

Former Cliftonville goalkeeper John Connolly produced two spot-kick saves to seal a 6-5 triumph for City after a scoreless 90 minutes and extra-time period.

The Mid-Ulster Football Association showpiece lacked clear sights of goal but City came close to breaking the deadlock with a first-half effort by Eamon Kelly that bounced off the post.

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Shea Campbell - who scored in last season’s Bob Radcliffe Cup final during defeat for Annagh United against Loughgall - slotted home City’s opening spot-kick in the shoot-out.

Warner Mullen left it level before Loughgall goalkeeper Gareth Buchanan got his hand to Stefan Lavery’s effort but was unable to prevent it from dropping over the line via the post.

Stuart Mallen kept Loughgall on level terms ahead of successful strikes by, respectively, Philip Donnelly and Graeme Taylor.

Sean Mallon put City in front by 4-3 ahead of Connolly’s first save to deny Ricky Copeland.

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