One down, two to go for Jason Gibson and Bonagee United

Friday night’s North West of Ulster Intermediate Cup final win got Bonagee United’s bid for a Cup treble off to the perfect start.

Jason Gibson’s side overcame Maiden City 3-2 to claim he inaugural cross-border cup.

This Thursday evening, Bonagee face Aileach in the Knockalla Caravans Senior Cup final and the rescheduled Donegal News USL League Cup final is still to come.

“We’ve two to go now,” Gibson said.

Bonagee United edge Maiden City to win inaugural cross-border cup

There were four goals in the opening 20 minutes at Newbuildings as Jason Gibson's Bonagee held sway in the North West of Ulster Intermediate Cup final

“They all bring different challenges. Aileach have had a good season and they’ll put it up to us. We’re really looking forward to the next couple of weeks.”

Early goals from Michael Funston, Deano Larkin and Darragh Ellison had Bonagee 3-1 up in a frenetic opening 20 minutes.

They held that lead until Johnny Robb pounced for a 78th minute goal that made a real game of it in the closing stages.

Gibson said: “I never felt that we were comfortable or had composure or control of the game.

“To be fair, Maiden City put it up to us. We managed the game better in the second half, but I felt as if it was too open for my liking. Cup finals can do that. They threw everything at us. We were disappointed to concede the second goal. That put our backs to the wall.

“They’re a young side and very inventive in the final third. Johnny has done that all season and we spoke about that so we are disappointed to concede that one.”

Robb might have forced the tie to extra time, but Packie Mailey - just on as a substitute for the last few minutes - thwarted him with a block on the edge of the penalty box.

Gibson said: “I always felt Maiden City were in the game and there’ll always be one chance. But for big Packie going in there with a block we’d have been heading for extra time.

“We always felt if we needed Packie to come in and help us manage the game that he could. His composure and leadership in there was what we needed in there for the last few minutes. He’s a big game player.”

Bonagee go down as the first winners of the competition, a venture between the Ulster Senior League and Northern Ireland Intermediate Leagues.

Gibson said: “We hope that this competition will continue. It has been good and has been a breath of fresh air. It’s good for the history of the club to get the first name onto it.”