07/08/2026
⚽ Tournament Final Match Report: Northern Ireland Military Veterans 3 – 1 Olderfleet Swifts FC Legends
Heading into the final of the Hows your mind? Charity Football Tournament, the Swifts were pushed to their absolute limits. Already operating with a threadbare squad missing 10 first-team players, the brutal toll of the 4–2 semi-final victory against Wellington Rec claimed three more casualties, with Simon Chang, John McKeown, and Paul Kirkpatrick all sidelined due to injuries sustained in the semi.
Despite the heavy squad depletion, the starting XI and supporting bench rallied together with grit, history, and tactical ingenuity:
Young shot-stopper Conor Lavelle starting his first full tournament run between the sticks had regular goalkeeper Eamonn shifted to centre-half alongside Marty Steele, remarkably reuniting a partnership roughly 27 years after their last appearance together.
The lads where supported again by William Magill & Alex Robertson – Both full-backs were no slouches in their respective areas throughout, holding firm defensively while setting up multiple attacks down the flanks.
First half
Olderfleet took control of the early tempo, Carrying an injury and needing treatment between games, Glenn Taggart purred with composure alongside the equally battered Tommy Monaghan, providing much-needed experience and leadership in the middle, controlling the ball and creating the lion's share of the half's clear-cut chances.
Oliver Millar & Eoin Lavelle provided dynamic energy and continuous width on the flanks for Darren McAllister & James McKeown: offering a constant threat to the Veterans' defense. The NI Veterans remained dangerous on the counter-attack, forcing a dramatic goal-line clearance from the Swifts' defense, while young Conor Lavelle pulled off several outstanding saves to keep the opposition at bay.
GOAL! (0–1): Olderfleet's persistent attacking play paid off on the half-hour mark. Darren McAllister found space in the box and coolly slotted the ball home to give the Swifts a deserved 1–0 lead.
Millar could have made it two, only for the crossbar to deny him.
Second Half
Olderfleet came out for the second half attempting to capitalise on their fantastic start. However, the contrast in squad depth began to show: the NI Veterans introduced fresh legs from their deep bench, while Olderfleet's battered squad valiantly fought through mounting exhaustion.
As the Veterans began to settle and exert pressure, Olderfleet looked to the bench to refresh tired legs. In a display of true local sportsmanship, friends from Wellington Rec stepped in to don the Swifts shirt:
• Jamie McGarel and Ellis Cahoon came on at Centre Half, putting on a very composed display and winning everything in the air.
• Alfie Wallace injected fresh energy into central midfield, while TinToe entered up front to lead the attack.
Despite the heroic efforts of the replacements, the NI Veterans turned the match around:
The Veterans leveled as Olderfleet started to tire and reshuffle. The game had swayed in Veterans favour. 1-1
With less than 10 minutes left, the Veterans took the lead with an absolute peach of a goal from outside the box, curling past the outstretched hands of Lavelle to make it 2-1.
As Olderfleet continued to push forward in search of an equalizer, the Veterans caught the Swifts on a counter-attack to score a third with minutes remaining.
Club sponsor Stratto got his first appearance in the team colours, coming on up front to lead the line in the closing moments, though time was against him to make an impact on the scoreline.
While the 3–1 result ended in heartbreak, Olderfleet Swifts FC Legends left every ounce of energy on the pitch. Battling through 16 total player absences, back-to-back matches, and mid-tournament injuries, every single player contributed to an inspiring tournament run.
• Man of the Match:Darren McAllister:
Kept the opposition backline under constant pressure, scored the opening goal, and led from the front all afternoon.
• OSFC Player of the Tournament: Oliver Millar
A hotly contested award between 3 contenders! Awarded Player of the Tournament for a relentless campaign across both the semi-final and final on the wing.
A massive credit to Paul Kirkpatrick, Simon Chang, Eamonn O’Boyle, Marty Steele, William Magill, Alex Robertson, Glenn Taggart, Tommy Monaghan, Eoin Lavelle, James McKeown, John McKeown, Conor Lavelle, Darren McAllister, and Oliver Millar for their incredible effort, along with Jamie McGarel, Ellis Cahoon, TinToe, Alfie McGarel, and Stratto for stepping up. Heads held high for a fantastic charity cause! 👏🏼💚
Thanks to Andy Clenaghan for stepping in again to be referee at short notice. The man is a modern day superman, with his ref gear always on and ready for action. All he needs is a telephone box to get changed in.
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