This game had all the drama and excitement you would normally associate with a Championship match between these two fierce rivals. Middletown came flying out of the blocks and had the ball in the net almost from the throw in. This was followed up by a point which left the Raparee's 4 points behind right at the start of the game. Madden knew they were in a game at this point and fought back well with Patrick Grimley begining to dominate the middle of the park. For all Madden's possession at this point scores were hard to come by , although were unlucky not to have a goal with a shot hitting the crossbar and Mickey Grimley blazing the follow up over the bar from close range. A newly revamped Darren Mc Bride (Big Mac) scored the point of the game, when he cut the ball over the bar from a tight angle. Madden's possession looked to be rewarded when they were awarded a penalty before the end of the half. This was sent wide however by Micky Grimley and the teams ended the half level 5 each.
Middletown ended the half as they began the first, pointing straight from the thrown in. There began a long sustained period of pressure from Madden with Stevey Smith and Beavis in free scoring form. I was then when 2 times Ulster Interfirms Winner Vincent Mc Cusker found the net, his deflected shot going through the legs of the Middletown goalie. Finally we were finding out what all the talk was about. This score put Madden two ahead and it was tit for tat from then on until Middletown were awarded the dodgeyist penalty of all time when Wishie Grimley, with 3 men hanging off him was penalised for not releasing the ball. A ridiculous decision by any stretch of the imagination. The resulting penalty was scored which left Middletown a point in front with less than ten minutes remaining. It was then that Madden came into their own and substitute Kyle Morgan's mazy runs resulted in two points from play. Good work from super-sub Shane Mc Cusker won a free right in front of the posts which was sent over. A furthur point for Madden left them deserving winners and through to the next round of the Championship. There was some confusion after the game when a Middletown man ended up in Madden's changing room after the match. However this turned out to be Rubber.
