Fantastic goal lit up drab cup final in Oriel

November 1976

A fantastic goal by Alo McGrath lights up an otherwise disappointing Summer League Challenge Cup final in Oriel Park.

It is enough to help Carlingford see off the challenge of Racing Club, in front of a crowd who pay £80 in ‘gate’ receipts.

The winger’s goal is the only score of the match, and crowns a great season for the First Division champions.

Fashioned out of nothing, the ball rockets into the right-hand corner of the net, with goalkeeper Maurice McDonnell helplessly clawing at thin air.

McGrath’s strike arrives 15 minutes into the second half, when Racing Club are looking more likely to score.

Shortly before the break, Stephen Maguire squanders the first clear opening.

Full-back Joe Garvey takes a pass in midfield and runs past two Carlingford players, and, as a gap appears in defence, he puts Maguire darting into the penalty box. However, from about 10 yards out, the midfielder pulls his shot wide.

Nonetheless, the miss seems to spur on Racing Club, and they play with greater drive in the second half.

On two occasions, Carlingford ‘ keeper Brendan Muckian makes two good saves, though he untroubled for the rest of the game.

Carlingford only manages one shot on target, but it is decisive. The ball comes to Alo McGrath inside his own half. He strides forward, taking the ball inside full-back, Colm Garvey, and then fires an unstoppable shot to the net.

It goes down as goal of the season, and unlikely to be bettered in the League of Ireland over the coming months.

While the football is not up to the standard expected, the season has otherwise been over about six weeks, so the teams are short on match practice.

It is the first final in a number of years that is is not played under floodlights, which takes away some of the customary cup final atmosphere.

The cup is presented by league secretary, Patsy Bailey, to Carlingford captain, Brendan Muckian.

Carlingford: B. Muckian, A. McShane, P. Adamson, J. Kirk, R. Reilly, P. Clarke, E. McCartan, P. Kirk, W. Kirk, G. Morgan, A. McGrath.

Racing Club: M. McDonnell, C. Garvey, J. Garvey, B. Watters, F. Boyle, S. Maguire, L. Gorham, McDonnell, M. McDonnell, A. McDonald, P. O’Hare.

Referee, T. Gernon; linesmen, N. Curtis, N. Clifford.