CG finish the job in 1A replay
DENNY DIVISION 1A LEAGUE FINAL REPLAY
CG Killarney 1 QPR 0
AS the old cliché goes, everything comes to those who wait.
That was case in point for CG Killarney on Sunday when they decorated their barren souvenir cabinet with silverware after being crowned Division 1A Champions after a thrilling win over QPR.
They were elevated to a new galaxy after this historic win and it has come after yards of disappointment and hard luck stories which makes it all the sweeter.
CG played a bit below par in the drawn game but they rectified that in this replay beginning the game at a great tempo and even though their winning margin was slender it was meritorious.
Joe Hurley was running the show for CG at midfield using the ball very well every time he got it and his accurate passing added to his sides creativity. He had a great assistant in Gary Cassidy who worked like a demon throughout the game and put in a tremendous shift.
Up front John Foley worked his socks off and was a constant threat throughout the game. CG came off the blocks like a greyhound to the hare and they had an early chance when Tadhg Flemng was through on goals with only the keeper to beat, but he lost control of the ball and a great opportunity was gone.
They followed this up with two more chances, but efforts on goal by Sam Treharne and Joe Hurley went over the top. Then QPR put a good attack together and a high ball into the box by Shane Reen was claimed in the air by CG keeper Dave Keirns.
Just before the break they attacked again with Mark Reen latching on to an Ian O’Leary corner kick but he skyed his effort on goals. CG created the first decent chance of the second half in the 58th minute when John Foley pulled down the ball and controlled it delightfully and let fly with a rasper of a shot which went narrowly wide.
Three minutes later he was played in one-on-one with the QPR goalie John O’Connell who came off his line and showed great bravery to get in a block, but the coming together resulted in both players injured and unfortunately O’Connell had to go off with his injury.
He was replaced in goals by Aongus O’Leary and Conor Hickey came on as a replacement. QPR then created a chance with sub George Dobbins crossing the ball to Shane Reen, but he could not get enough power in his header to test the CG keeper.
Then Ciaran O’Mahoney set up Mark Reen and he was denied by a very great block by Dave Kerins in the CG goals. The goal that won the game came in the 79th minute in a quick break from midfield Gary Cassidy delivered a fantastic over the top ball to Mike Daly and with the QPR goalie coming out to challenge for the ball he showed great bravery and composure to win the race and tuck away his shot from close range.
QPR done their best to try and engineer an equaliser and despite forcing a couple of corners and a free kick they never looked like getting it and CG ran out very deserving winners.
There was great scenes of jubilation at the cup was presented to the captain of the CG side Dave Keirns by the secretary of the KDL John O’Regan. The captain paid tribute to the team for the great performance they put in and was loud in his praise for manager Darragh O’Regan for the great work he has been doing with the team over the past decade.
He said the club have played a huge amount of games this season both competitive and friendly and that it has paid dividends at the end.
CG’s glory trail is not over yet either as they are also through to the semi final of the Dominos Pizza Reserve Cup where they play Castleisland B at Mounthawk Park next Sunday with a 2 30pm kick off time.
CG KILLARNEY: Dave Keirns, Frank Cronin, Mike Beckett, Ger Foley, Mike Murphy, Gary Cassidy, Mike Daly, (James McCarrick 84 min), Joe Hurley, John Foley, Tadhg Fleming, (Mike Griffin 82 min), Sam Treharne
QUARRY PARK RANGERS: John O’Connell, Donal Og Kelliher, Tadgh O’Mahoney, Ian O’Leary, Paul Cooney, Aongus O’Leary, Cian Jenkins, (Johnny O’Keeffe 89 min), Mike Joe Kelliher, (Michael Anthony Kelliher 78 min), Mark Reen, Shane Reen, Ciaran O’Mahoney
REFEREE: Eddie O’Mahoney
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