MACROOM PAY THE PENALTY
MACROOM A were left trying to figure out how they did not win this game comfortably at a bitterly cold Dooradoyle last Sunday. By far the better team, the visitors led early on but, despite loads of chances, were unable to add to their lead and the home side levelled late on.
Macroom began on the front foot and Andrew Hegarty was clean through on goal in the first minute, his effort going narrowly wide. Then, influential midfielder Tomàs Collins had a good shot saved. Darren Kelly shot wide in the 15th minute but the visitors were ahead soon after. Hegarty raced clear down the left wing and his low-cut back was finished from close range by Mark Corrigan.
Hegarty continued to cause havoc on the left flank and another cross was saved from Szymon Sanetra. Left back Don
Creedon then pushed forward and an excellent cross was flicked towards goal by Sanetra-to his disbelief the ball came back off the upright and into the hands of a relieved Hartigan in the Regional goal.
Into the second-half and the home side finally forced a good save from Caleb Dineen. John James Healy and Tomàs Collins, both injured, were replaced by Keith Holden and Dylan Twomey. Hegarty then forced another good save following good work from Corrigan. Danny Kelleher came on for another injury, this time Steven Crowley had to retire. Twomey flashed a great ball across the box and he was then unlucky with a back-post header from a Kelly free.
The Macroom back four with Darryl Holden in particular were pretty comfortable and solid all afternoon. Perhaps it was the unhelpful low winter sun coming into play, when a long delivery from the home keeper was allowed to bounce.
Regional forward Cross raced clear and slotted beyond the advancing Dineen on 86 minutes.
Into extra time and both sides were now visibly tired on the large astro surface. The arrival of penalties was no surprise, although sub Barry O’Donnell almost won it at the death, his effort saved from point blank range. Regional Utd got the break in the shootout, emerging 5-4 winners.
Macroom: Caleb Dineen, James O’ Connor, Darryl Holden, Steven Crowley, Don Creedon, Tomás Collins, John James Healy, Darren Kelly, Mark Corrigan, Andrew Hegarty, Szymom Sanetra. Subs: Keith Holden, Patrick Barry, Barry O’Donnell, Dylan Twomey, Daniel Buckley, Danny Kelleher,